A society ill-equipped to deal with the effects of climate change on cultural heritage and landscape: a qualitative assessment of planning practices in transport infrastructure

Abstract

This paper provides insights into the handling of climate change issues related to cultural heritage at different government decision levels dealing with physical planning, and in particular roads. Data are derived from a qualitative analysis of official reports and interviews with local and regional planners in three Swedish regions with contrasting climates. The theoretical lens of Institutional Interplay is applied to an analysis grouped into six themes: Climate threats to cultural heritage, Adaptation measures, Preparedness, Institutional preconditions, Institutional interplay, and Challenges. The results suggest that despite a strong environmental reputation internationally, Sweden is not particularly well prepared for dealing with future climate change impacts on cultural heritage and landscape. The lack of national standards and standardised methods risks regional and sectoral variation in the treatment of similar tasks, a problem which deficiencies in knowledge and continuing education are perpetuating. The degree to which discussions and cooperation occur between divisions within the same authority, between authorities, and in national networks varies considerably. Routines and criteria for prioritisation of cultural heritage mitigation, essential under conditions of limited resources, have yet to have been implemented. We conclude with five recommendations for improving the planning process with respect to climate change risks to cultural heritage.

Road Salt Damage to Historical Milestones Indicates Adaptation of Winter Roads to Future Climate Change May Damage Arctic Cultural Heritage

“…Although some regional assessments of climate change heritage risks are available [46,47], no systematic survey of the preservation status of sites along roads has been undertaken. Similarly, there is no national system for prioritising the preservation of sites at risk of being damaged by the effects of future climate change [48]. The milestones studied in this paper are far from the only type of cultural heritage object made of cast iron.…”

“…From the point of view of the general public, balancing lives, and from the point of view of industry, just-in-time deliveries, against cultural heritage may seem a simple equation weighted strongly in favour of lives and service provision. However, at the national or regional planning level things are not so simple [5,48]. Resources are limited and spending must be prioritized within and across different sectors.…”

“…This has been expressed most clearly in the context of archaeological sites, which provide windows into "… long-term social processes such as migration, population dynamics, human security, and health, [making] contributions that are unobtainable by other social scientists working within the constraints of an instrumented climate record From the point of view of the general public, balancing lives, and from the point of view of industry, just-in-time deliveries, against cultural heritage may seem a simple equation weighted strongly in favour of lives and service provision. However, at the national or regional planning level things are not so simple [5,48]. Resources are limited and spending must be prioritized within and across different sectors.…”