A policy content analysis for evaluating urban adaptation justice in ?Istanbul


Williams D. S., BALABAN O., Ilhan A., Paker H., Sahin U., Yildirim B. S., ...More

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY, vol.136, pp.476-485, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 136
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.07.014
  • Journal Name: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Aqualine, CAB Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, EMBASE, Environment Index, Greenfile, Metadex, PAIS International, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.476-485
  • Keywords: Policy content analysis, Vulnerability, Urban climate justice, Adaptation, Urban inequality, Istanbul, CLIMATE-CHANGE, DECISION-MAKING, POLITICS, EQUITY, GOVERNMENT, DISCOURSE, FRAMEWORK, BARRIERS, CITIES, STATE
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Climate change is disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities, increasing existing risks and leading to further global inequalities. Drawing on the concept of urban adaptation justice, we evaluated the inclusion of vulnerable communities in the climate change adaptation planning process of ?Istanbul, a European coastal megacity with considerable vulnerability to climate change. For this, a policy content analysis structured around four criteria: (i) participation, (ii) capacity enhancement, (iii) governance, and (iv) justice integration into spatial planning, was carried out and supplemented by local expert consultations. Our findings indicate that while the objective of incorporating some aspects of justice in adaptation planning was recognized, there was a distinct lack of specific actions or evaluation tools. The expert consultations largely confirmed these findings, which were then connected to the socio-historical and political context of ?Istanbul and the wider Turkish region. Key con-clusions include the failure of current adaptation policies to adequately consider vulnerabilities arising from a combination of urban marginalization interacting with neoliberal authoritarianism. We identify the need for understanding and integrating equitable climate change adaptation as a key dimension of urban decision-making for future policy-relevant research and practice