Support for stakeholder cooperation and multifunctional adaptation of residential areas

Despite the national climate adaptation strategy assigning a pivotal role to property owners in safeguarding their properties from extreme weather events, our study reveals that few have implemented climate adaptation measures. A significant number lack the requisite knowledge and expertise necessary to effectively manage and mitigate risks. Property owners also delegate the responsibility for climate resilience to the municipality. This delegation is rooted in the perception that the primary risk occurs beyond their property boundaries, with the municipality holding responsibility for urban planning and water and sewage management. The distribution of responsibilities requires elucidation in the public discourse.

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Anna Malmquist

Our interview studies indicate that both homeowners and housing cooperatives often underestimate the risk of floods in their residences, even those who have already been affected. The studies demonstrate that heavy rainfall leads to extensive material consequences and affects people's psychosocial well-being. Many homeowners experienced prolonged stress in dealing with damages and during reconstruction, where uncertainty about whether insurance would cover the damage added to the anxiety. Additionally, most homeowners restore their property without implementing measures to prevent the risk of flash floods. Increased awareness of climate risks and the promotion of preventive measures are necessary to encourage proactive climate adaptation work.

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Mattias Hjerpe

The research also highlights examples where homeowners who have taken proactive measures to protect their homes were not affected or were much less affected than their neighbours during flash floods. This underscores the effectiveness of property-specific measures and emphasises the necessity of promoting and supporting such measures to reduce flood risk in society. Increased awareness of this is needed through communicative efforts.

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Mattias Hjerpe

In August 2021, Gävleborg experienced an extensive flash flood that damaged nearly 7,000 buildings. Our study focuses on community properties and property companies' preparedness and ability to handle such extreme weather events. We found that the weather warning system and property companies' general preparedness worked well but were limited by the lack of knowledge about which buildings were a priority to protect and how they should be protected. A sixth of community properties were damaged, with a disproportionate number being schools. Additionally, water entered for various reasons, including surface water, back pressure in pipes, and other openings such as pump pits, house foundations, and basement windows. A review of planning and design is needed to better address climate-related challenges, including an update of crisis plans that consider flood events. This should establish internal procedures and priorities for staff to ensure a safe and sustainable future for all.

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Erik Glaas

In a study, we tested a method for assessing climate risk in larger property portfolios, a demand voiced by many property companies. We collected data on twenty-four environmental, building, and equipment characteristics for 575 buildings in Norrköping and interpreted the results with the property company. The company identified power outages, impact on vulnerable groups, and remediation as the most critical risks to avoid during flash floods. Based on this, the buildings were ranked by the degree of risk, and the 85 buildings with the highest risk were inspected using the visualization tool Extra. We found that a sixth of the buildings were located wholly or partially in areas exposed to flooding, and just over a fifth had basements with external cellar stairs. Five broad adaptation strategies were identified: risk-based investment, area-based adaptation, regular inspection and maintenance, strategic collaboration, and dialogue with residents.

For more information, refer to the articles A systematic approach to assessing climate vulnerabilities and adaptation opportunities in large property portfolios: impact on property owners' transformative capacity.

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Mattias Hjerpe

Sofie Storbjörk

We also chose to focus on a sub-study on the municipality's role in adapting the built environment to climate change. In an interview study with ten Swedish municipalities that have taken on the issue of multifunctional climate adaptation in the existing environment, several challenges emerged that make it difficult for municipalities to implement targeted climate adaptation measures. Primarily, the responsibility for adapting the existing city to climate change lies with property owners. Municipalities feel hindered from taking actions that could benefit private actors according to the Municipal Act. Furthermore, access to appropriately located municipal land is often limited in the dense city, affecting the efficiency of measures. Increased collaboration between public and private actors, such as property owners, municipalities, insurance companies, and other societal structures, as well as the possibility of co-financing climate adaptation measures, play a central role in effectively managing climate adaptation.

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Sofie Storbjörk

Interviews were conducted with preschool staff and parents of children who were at preschools during the heatwave of 2018. A survey was sent to unit managers to gather information about their experiences. The result shows that young children are negatively affected by heatwaves, and preschools are often poorly adapted to heat. Practical and mental strategies are used to handle the heat, and it is essential to achieve cool indoor and outdoor environments. Clear guidelines for extreme weather are needed.

For further insights, refer to the article Vulnerability and adaptation to heatwaves in preschool: Experiences, effects, and measures from unit managers, educators, and parents.

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Anna Malmquist

Older people are particularly vulnerable during heatwaves. We, therefore, interviewed 19 older residents in special accommodations and in their own homes about the 2018 heatwave. In the study, the elderly talk about how, even though heat is generally positive, extreme heat is exhausting and stressful. Their ability to adapt varies, and access to cool spaces in the care facility or home is crucial. Being dependent on others for hygiene and mobility increases vulnerability and the feeling of exposure. The study highlights the need for increased awareness, access to cool environments, and clear guidelines to adapt elderly care to climate change.

For more information, see the article Elderly experiences of heat stress and adaptation to heat: An interview study.

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Anna Malmquist

Municipalities' ability to manage citizen participation in climate adaptation is challenged by several factors. Citizens are often seen more as stakeholders than active co-creators. Research indicates municipalities have limited capacity to effectively analyze and respond to citizen input through participatory processes. Strategies for evaluating such inputs are often deficient. Bridging this gap and involving citizens as active co-creators in solutions should be a central priority.

For more details, see the article Untangling municipal capacity for citizen participation in transformative climate adaptation.

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Erik Glaas