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: Margareta.dahlstrom@kau.se