Barriers and Drivers of Planning for Climate Change Adaptation across Three Levels of Government in Canada. (27th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oulahen, Greg; Klein, Yaheli; Mortsch, Linda; O'Connell, Erin; Harford, Deborah
• Is Part Of: Planning theory & practice. Volume 19:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 405
• Page End: 421
• Publication Date: 2018-05-27
• Subjects: Climate change adaptation -- flood hazards -- policy and planning -- barriers -- drivers; City planning -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Periodicals; 307.1205
• DOI: 10.1080/14649357.2018.1481993
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-9357

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the factors that constrain and enable adaptation planning for increasing flood risk in Canada. It uses a multiple-methods, multi-scalar approach to identify interconnected barriers and drivers that operate across municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government in Vancouver and Surrey, British Columbia. Through a policy content analysis (n = 54) and in-depth interviews with planners and other practitioners (n = 31), the study finds five major barriers to the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation: inadequate collaboration, absence of senior level political leadership, lack of public awareness, insufficient financial and staff capacity, and misalignment of policies within and between levels of government.