Public participation, civic capacity, and climate change adaptation in cities

Cities are increasingly involved in planning for climate change adaptation, although the extent and role of public participation in such efforts remains poorly theorized and understudied. This paper employs a case survey methodology to systematically review the recent literature on urban climate change adaptation with respect to public participation, stakeholder engagement, and civic capacity. Six forms of participation in urban adaptation are identified from the literature and the distinguishing characteristics and use of each type are examined across the cases. Few cases illustrate robust and sustained civic capacity in the governance of urban climate adaptation, although several cases reveal budding capacity that could emerge with further efforts to engage businesses and citizens in articulating priorities and strategies for future adaptation efforts.