Speaker
Description
Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges facing cities today, posing significant risks to communities and the built environment. In response, many cities worldwide have begun to implement adaptation policies aimed at helping communities and urban systems enhance their resilience. This paper raises an important question: how fairly are adaptation policies and their practical measures distributed among different urban areas and demographics? The equitable distribution of adaptation policies is not merely a technical issue; it is fundamentally a matter of justice. Since the impacts of climate change disproportionately affect low-income communities and marginalized groups, it is essential to critically examine how adaptation policies are formulated and implemented. The existing literature on urban adaptation measures is scattered across various fields of study, leading to a fragmented understanding of the social dimensions of these policies. Thus, this paper aims to analyze the social aspects of urban adaptation measures and their distribution within cities. We conduct a comprehensive review of multidisciplinary literature focusing on adaptation policies and strategies at the city level, and on studies that assessed the distribution of these measures. Our review methodology follows a qualitative process based on Jabareen (2008) conceptual framework. We develop a new framework to understand the social justice aspects of adaptation policies. This Conceptual Framework of the Social Aspects of Urban Adaptation Measures demonstrates that these measures serve as instruments of social justice rather than merely technical solutions. The framework consists of six categories, each fulfilling a distinct social role. The categories are defensibility, public engagement, accessibility, necessities, health and well-being, and empowerment. We argue that the concept of defensibility is central to this framework and serves as a foundational principle for adaptation policies. In addition, despite the social role these measures fulfill, their distribution in cities doesn't favor those most in need of them. In conclusion, the equitable distribution of adaptation measures is not just a technical concern; it is fundamentally a matter of justice.
| Keywords | Climate change; Adaptation policies; Adaptation measures; Distribution; Social Justice |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
