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Complexity Theory, Spatial Planning and Adaptation to Climate Change

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Swarming Landscapes

Part of the book series: Advances in Global Change Research ((AGLO,volume 48))

Abstract

This chapter analyses several concepts of Complexity Theory as regards their usefulness in spatial planning processes that aim to foster adaptation to climate change. The conditions under which a complex system is likely to change to higher levels of complexity are seen as important when this system needs to deal with and adapt to climatic changes. This understanding is used to develop a framework in which these changes can be examined and explained. Supported by examples from various European countries, four different planning strategies (planning for mitigation, sectored adaptation, integrated adaptation and flexible adaptation) are positioned within the framework. We conclude that each of these strategies fills its own niche in the framework, that all strategies together describe the behaviour of a complex system and that flexible adaptation planning is most likely to facilitate a system change. When this reasoning is reversed and the question concerns which planning strategy fits in best with the demands imposed by climatic change (e.g. for a system change), flexible adaptation planning is seen as the most suitable option.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Groene Leefomgeving van Steden, Wageningen UR, Van Hall Larenstein – Tuin en Landschapsinrichting, 9001, 6880 GB, Velp, The Netherlands

    Wim Timmermans

  2. LaboraTe – Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Benigno Ledo s/n. – EPS, 27001, Lugo, Spain

    Francisco Ónega López

  3. The Swinburne Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University of Technology, 218, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122, Australia

    Rob Roggema

Authors
  1. Wim Timmermans
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  2. Francisco Ónega López
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  3. Rob Roggema
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wim Timmermans .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Maribyrning, VIC, Australia, Belvedere Close 2/5, Maribyrning, 3032, Victoria, Australia

    Rob Roggema

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Timmermans, W., López, F.Ó., Roggema, R. (2012). Complexity Theory, Spatial Planning and Adaptation to Climate Change. In: Roggema, R. (eds) Swarming Landscapes. Advances in Global Change Research, vol 48. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4378-6_3

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