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Urban Futures in Focus: Imaginaries and Barriers for Urban Climate Neutrality in EU Mission Cities

Chakravarty, Jasmine Chantal Mellersh LU (2024) In IIIEE Master Thesis IMEM02 20241
The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Abstract
Urban climate neutrality has emerged as a critical goal for sustainable urban development, with the European Union’s Cities Mission aiming to achieve 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030. However, the term “climate neutrality” holds diverse interpretations among stakeholders, leading to inconsistencies and potential negative outcomes. This study investigates the dominant sociotechnical imaginary for urban climate neutrality within the context of the Cities Mission, focusing on the cities of Stockholm and Amsterdam. It examines the key narratives contained in the dominant sociotechnical imaginary and perceived barriers to its implementation. Through qualitative research methods, including semi- structured interviews and document... (More)
Urban climate neutrality has emerged as a critical goal for sustainable urban development, with the European Union’s Cities Mission aiming to achieve 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030. However, the term “climate neutrality” holds diverse interpretations among stakeholders, leading to inconsistencies and potential negative outcomes. This study investigates the dominant sociotechnical imaginary for urban climate neutrality within the context of the Cities Mission, focusing on the cities of Stockholm and Amsterdam. It examines the key narratives contained in the dominant sociotechnical imaginary and perceived barriers to its implementation. Through qualitative research methods, including semi- structured interviews and document analysis, six key narratives and five categories of barriers were identified. The narratives are: (1) Sustainable mobility and transport, (2) Community engagement and just transition, (3) Frontrunners in urban climate action, (4) The city as an experiment, (5) Green economy and business innovation, and (6) The city as a complex system. Meanwhile, the identified barriers encompass: (1) legal and regulatory barriers, (2) policy-making and political barriers, (3) governance and administrative barriers, (4) financial and investment barriers, and (5) consumption and behaviour-change barriers. Findings reveal overlaps and contradictions between narratives suggesting opportunities for integrated policies. Furthermore, barriers are found to shape narratives, providing insights for adaptive strategies. Overall, the findings indicate that addressing legal, political, governance, financial, and behavioural barriers will help to facilitate the successful implementation of urban climate neutrality initiatives. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Chakravarty, Jasmine Chantal Mellersh LU
supervisor
organization
course
IMEM02 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Climate-neutrality, Cities Mission, Urban, Sociotechnical Imaginaries, Barriers, Cities
publication/series
IIIEE Master Thesis
report number
2024.31
ISSN
1401-9191
language
English
id
9170918
date added to LUP
2024-08-01 10:57:19
date last changed
2024-08-01 10:57:19
@misc{9170918,
  abstract     = {{Urban climate neutrality has emerged as a critical goal for sustainable urban development, with the European Union’s Cities Mission aiming to achieve 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030. However, the term “climate neutrality” holds diverse interpretations among stakeholders, leading to inconsistencies and potential negative outcomes. This study investigates the dominant sociotechnical imaginary for urban climate neutrality within the context of the Cities Mission, focusing on the cities of Stockholm and Amsterdam. It examines the key narratives contained in the dominant sociotechnical imaginary and perceived barriers to its implementation. Through qualitative research methods, including semi- structured interviews and document analysis, six key narratives and five categories of barriers were identified. The narratives are: (1) Sustainable mobility and transport, (2) Community engagement and just transition, (3) Frontrunners in urban climate action, (4) The city as an experiment, (5) Green economy and business innovation, and (6) The city as a complex system. Meanwhile, the identified barriers encompass: (1) legal and regulatory barriers, (2) policy-making and political barriers, (3) governance and administrative barriers, (4) financial and investment barriers, and (5) consumption and behaviour-change barriers. Findings reveal overlaps and contradictions between narratives suggesting opportunities for integrated policies. Furthermore, barriers are found to shape narratives, providing insights for adaptive strategies. Overall, the findings indicate that addressing legal, political, governance, financial, and behavioural barriers will help to facilitate the successful implementation of urban climate neutrality initiatives.}},
  author       = {{Chakravarty, Jasmine Chantal Mellersh}},
  issn         = {{1401-9191}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{IIIEE Master Thesis}},
  title        = {{Urban Futures in Focus: Imaginaries and Barriers for Urban Climate Neutrality in EU Mission Cities}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}