adapting adaptation: a critical governance analysis of the english eco-town initiative

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: d.tomozeiu@westminster.ac.uk