Cities as learning organisations in climate policy: the case of Malmö

Abstract

The complexities and uncertainties inherent to climate change place ecosystems and governance systems under pressure, in particular at the local level, where the causes and consequences of climate change play out. To address this complexity, local authorities have to be flexible, with an emphasis on learning and experimentation to lower greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the challenges climate change poseshence, they have to become learning organisations. Examining Malmö, this paper explores whether it has the characteristics to embrace and institutionalise learning and how this affects the development of its climate policies. The analysis finds several elements invaluable for Malmö's innovative climate policies: climate strategies are incorporated within the city's long-term vision to become a sustainable city: socially, economically and environmentally; dialogue and learning are emphasised throughout the process; and all stakeholders are involved, including external partners, leading to integrated approaches.

“Take It or Leave It”: From Collaborative to Regulative Developer Dialogues in Six Swedish Municipalities Aiming to Climate-Proof Urban Planning

“…Several city districts with a high sustainability and climate profile have recently been built or are under construction, where developer dialogues are a key strategy (see Table 1). Often such city districts function as municipal learning labs for progressing with innovative green and/or climate-oriented agendas at municipal level [18,19]. We chose to interview key municipal coordinators with extensive experience of working with developer dialogues.…”

“…Despite this, similar collaborative initiatives, termed developer dialogues, have thereafter spread across the country. Some cities have repeatedly used developer dialogues as a means for raising ambitions in planning, of which the work in Malmö is perhaps most renowned [18,19], while others have attempted using dialogues in singular high-profile sustainable districts [20]. Additionally, outside the Swedish context, practical experiences of collaborative interactions vary, documenting challenges with reluctant property developers [21,22], dialogues resulting in weakened rules and regulations [21,23] and efforts favoring the position of private actors [24,25].…”

Eco-districts: can they accelerate urban climate planning?

“…Effective implementation of a city's climate/ sustainability plan requires a deliberate process of experimentation, reevaluation, and adaptation of practices (Bulkeley and Castán Broto, 2012;Holden, 2008;Lenhart et al, 2014;Schön, 1983;Shaw and Theobald, 2011;Storbjörk, 2010). Argyris and Schön (1996) refer to this process as double-loop learning, which includes an ongoing modification of organizational values, policies, and norms to incorporate new practices.…”

“…Lenhart et al, 2014;Shaw and Theobold, 2010). The role of a mayor and the message sent to various departments about policy experimentation and willingness to change practices are essential to becoming a learning organization (Lenhart et al, 2014).…”

“…Following, we examine how eco-districts can support similar goals in other developments, while investigating the importance of supporting learning and experimentation when incorporating urban climate change planning (Argyris and Schön, 1996;Bulkeley and Castán Broto, 2012;Holden, 2008;Lenhart et al, 2014;Schön, 1983;Shaw and Theobald, 2011;Storbjörk, 2010). At the broadest level, our approach is rooted in an ecological modernization theoretical perspective, which holds that economic development and sustainability are mutually complementary (Mol, 1992; and see Murphy, 2000 for a summary of perspectives within the perspective).…”