Spaces & Flows: Ninth International Conference on Urban and ExtraUrban Studies

Abstract

The local level has gained increasing prominence in climate change discourse in recent years. Municipalities are organizing themselves in various networks, preparing for the challenge that climate change represents for urban regions, and implying that the assumption of the mantra “mitigation is global, adaptation is local” is losing ground. Scholars argue that cities need mayors who exhibit the necessary leadership qualities and the appropriate tools to address global problems such as climate change. While many local administrators are equipped with specific knowledge about residents, including vulnerable populations, and critical infrastructure, politicians may have different views on what constitutes the “appropriate” climate measures for a specific open or green space. This study explores the relationships between politicians and administrators. Specifically, we examine different conflict lines between these two groups of actors in the context of climate change measures on green and open spaces, and regional development more broadly. In addition, we focus on the questions of whether and to what extent the differences impact the planning process in urban regions in Germany. Building on works which examine the state of preparedness at the local level, this study also highlights the importance of coordination between different levels of government. The paper draws from original interview data (n=27) with local politicians and bureaucrats from the cities of Heidelberg, Mannheim and Weinheim; three different city types in the same metropolitan region in the state of Baden-Württemberg.