Participatory methods applied in adaptation planning in Kalundborg Municipality

Description

Kalundborg Municipality, located on the western coast of Zealand, Denmark, has together with the Danish Board of Technology (DBT) carried out a comprehensive and path-breaking participatory approach, involving local stakeholders and citizens, to prepare for a municipal Climate Change Adaptation Plan. The participatory effort was part of the EU-INTERREG project “BaltCICA” on climate adaptation in the Baltic Sea Region running from 2009 – 2012 and included, among other things, a two-day scenario-workshop and a citizens´ summit. In spring 2014, the proposed Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Kalundborg was introduced to the political agenda of the municipal council to be finally adopted. This timing allowed for a unique opportunity to study whether and how the participatory process influenced the final adaptation plan. In this regard, this report has a practical focus, presenting experiences and procedural stages. The emphasis is on how the municipality has been able to incorporate local views and suggestions into their short- and long-term adaptation planning and policy work. Adaptation actions and the actual implementation of the plan have yet to come as of 2016.

Reference information