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Knowledge dynamics and green growth - Climate change adaptation needs as innovation drivers
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Transcript of Knowledge dynamics and green growth - Climate change adaptation needs as innovation drivers
Knowledge dynamics and green growth -
Climate change adaptation needs as
innovation drivers
Margareta Dahlström, University of Karlstad,
Sweden
Regional Studies Association
International Conference
Tampere 5-8 May 2013
Background
• Early phases of new research project
• Based on research projects in
– Knowledge dynamics and innovation (Dahlström: EURODITE and
REKENE)
– Climate change adaptation (Nyberg [Kau], Evers [Bonn])
• Focusing knowledge dynamics in European regions
• Applying key findings to issues of green growth
Knowledge dynamics processes - key findings
(EURODITE and REKENE)
• Broad understanding of knowledge, not ‘only’ natural science, but symbolic, analytic and synthetic, and combinations as well as knowledge from other actors than higher education institutions and research
• Cross-sectoral (combinatorial) knowledge interactions are innovative and drive product (goods and services) and process development.
• Multi-actor knowledge interactions. Different types of actors are involved in knowledge relations; higher education institutions, research, firms, public agencies, consumers, civil society...
• Multi-scalar knowledge interactions. Regional knowledge dynamics involve relations inside and outside the region. Global links.
The project:
Climate change as an innovation driver
• Project seen through the lenses of the global challenges climate
change and green growth
• Starting point: EU 2020 strategy: Europe shall deliver smart,
sustainable and inclusive growth (EC, 2010)
• How can the strategy be achieved at the same time as the challenge
of climate change is addressed?
• Turning it around: How can climate change adaptation needs drive
innovation and contribute to green growth?
• Green growth: Economic development embodies sustainable
development and recognises that economic crisis and challenges of
natural resource depletion also provide opportunities. (OECD, 2011)
Delivering green growth is a tall order –
knowledge dynamics thinking can contribute
• Meeting the challenges of climate change and economic
development calls for the generation and processing of new
knowledge.
• Knowledge developments within a single scientific disciplines is not
sufficient for driving innovations to tackle these challenges.
• Different types of knowledge from diverse disciplines have to come
together in new knowledge dynamics.
• In addition, knowledge from different types of actors is needed
• Generation and development of new knowledge takes place in
complex relationships between different types of actors located in
different places.
Proect focus: water
• Water = attractive living environment for permanent residents and
temporary visitors (tourists and second home owners)
• Waterside developments part of regional development strategies
• Climate change causes more frequent and more severe flooding
• How to create waterside developments and reduce flooding?
• Demands creative solutions through multi- and transdisciplinary
approaches
• Empirical focus – Lake Vänern region
• Results applicable to many other types of waterside settings world-
wide
Lake Vänern region
Largest lake in the EU
Unique fauna and flora
Drinking water for 800,000 inhabitants
including Greater Gothenburg
Sweden’s largest hydro electric power dam
Used for transport, commercial and
recreational fishing, tourism industry
Waterside developments
13 local and 2 regional authorities,
2 countries and EU regulations
Interconnection of climate change adaptation needs and
green growth in case studies
• Through scenarios, water-related climate change adaptation needs
in the Lake Vänern region are identified – e.g. flooding.
• Scenarios provide different hot spots, scales and frequencies
• Due to size of the Lake certain adaptation strategies are not
applicable
Case study: Urban water front development
• How to use the waterfront without causing new flood risks and
develop the attractiveness of the area?
• Identify knowledge needs – e.g. wide range of scientific knowledge
(hydrology, planning, regional development, architecture,
psychology, environmental science…)
• and stakeholders – e.g. local and regional authorities, firms (tourism
industry, building trade, developers, insurance companies…), local
population, organised interests (angling societies, sailing clubs,
nature conservation groups …)
• Innovations needed include: innovative planning processes, product
innovation e.g. new materials and new architectural and landscape
designs
• Multi- and transdisciplinary research – Introducing Living Labs
Living Labs • Living Labs – a type of trans- and multidisciplinary research
• Participatory research method, an environment and approach
stressing the focus on:
– An identified need
– A real-world setting
– User/stakeholder involvement and empowerment
– Strong connection to research
• The aim is to innovate solutions to needs
• Living Labs inspired workshops will explore how climate change
adaptation needs can act as drivers for innovation
• Living Labs bring together different knowledge and actors and
stimulate knowledge dynamics processes
• Knowledge diversity is necessary for innovative solutions due to
complexity of challenges – combinatorial knowledge
Potential innovations
• Processes with regards to planning for developments of
waterside developments balancing many different needs and
opportunities
• Products/services with regards to design of developments for
minimising flood risks (e.g. rain water management as
landscape features, surface materials, green landscaping and
more)
• Services with regards to education and research into rain water
management and such landscapes as tourist attractions
• …
Contributing to green growth
• Attractive environment drawing inhabitants and visitors
• New products to manufacture – e.g. building materials
• New services to sell – e.g. designs, technical solutions, landscaping
• Reduced effects of flooding
Next steps
• Livning labs literature and practice – continuing on successful pilot
workshop in January 2013
• Green growth, knowledge dynamics and (eco)-innovation literature
• Scenario working
• Developing second case study: Biosphere Reserve Lake Vänern
archipelago and Mount Kinnekulle
• Contact: [email protected]