adapting adaptation: a critical governance analysis of the english eco-town initiative
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Adapting Adaptation: A Critical Governance Analysis of the English Eco-town Initiative. The Governance of Adaptation Daniel Tomozeiu & Simon Joss . Contents. 1. Eco-Cities as Adaptation Strategy 2. UK Scene: Policy Actors and Background 3. English Eco-Towns - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Adapting Adaptation:A Critical Governance Analysis of the
English Eco-town Initiative
The Governance of Adaptation Daniel Tomozeiu & Simon Joss
Contents
1. Eco-Cities as Adaptation Strategy 2. UK Scene: Policy Actors and Background
3. English Eco-Towns
4. Governance Tensions and Implication for Sustainability
5. Questions & Answers
Eco-Cities as Adaptation Strategy
Joss et al- Forthcoming
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1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Total launched by each date
WorldwideEuropeAsia/AustralasiaAmericasAfrica/ME
UK Scene: Policy Actors
1980s early 2000s 2001 2001
planning mainly local authorities and developers
increasing concerns about affordable housing and climate change
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) created
Local Government and Regions part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (later DCLG)
UK Scene: Policy Background2003 2004
Both documents highlight the need for urban development; focus on urbanisation
Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future published- Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Barker Review of Housing Supply published- independent report
English Eco-Towns2007 2007-2009
Policy to be implemented by DCLG
2008Best Practice in Urban Extensions and New Settlements study looking at practical sustainability examples
Two consultation processes:-on best locations-on building standards
Department for Climate Change (DECC) created
Consultation and Selection Process• 10 sites
selected out of 57 applications
• New Eco-town Planning Policy Statement (PPS) designed
2009The policy to be implemented by DCLG with DEFRA input
• 4 locations chosen for the first Eco-towns
• £60 million allocated (later cut to £30 million)
Localism Act
2011Several services are now the responsibility of the local government
Eco-towns to be developed by local administration and developers
The Eco-town PPS not compulsory anymore
Localism Act increases the powers of local government in the UK (general competence)
State of Play St. Austell
Whitehill-Bordon
Rackheath
North West Bicester
Governance Tensions 1
Horizontal tensions- between government departments
Sustainable growth seen as socio-economic policy, “tilted” governance in favour of DCLG
DEFRA and DECC had only consultee status
Risk: Failure to create a balanced governance structure can lead to policy fragmentation and lack of robustness
Governance Tensions 2Vertical tensions- between central and local government
Best policy delivery level:- English Eco-Town brought it from local to national - Localism Act takes it back to the local actors
Risk: Failure to engage across governance levels might lead to policy being abandoned
Implications for Sustainability
Initial focus on socio-economic dimension of sustainability
Late 2000s missed opportunity to address the “tilted” governance structure
Currently devolved to local authorities- diverse approaches
No British brand of urban sustainability as a model for adaptation
Further Information
Thank you!
www.westminster.ac.uk/ecocitiesDaniel Tomozeiu
Email: [email protected]