Reflexive co-production for urban resilience: a guiding framework and experiences from Austin, Texas
Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 178, (2022)
Publication info
Recommended citation:
- Bixler, R.P., Coudert, M., Richter, S., Jones, J., Pulido, C., Akhavan, N., Bartos, M., Passalacqua, P., & Niyogi, D. (2022). Reflexive co-production for urban resilience: a guiding framework and experiences from Austin, Texas, Frontiers in Sustainable Cities), 178. doi: 10.3389/frsc.2022.1015630
Available at:
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsc.2022.1015630/abstract
Abstract
Climate change disproportionately impacts socially vulnerable populations across urban geographies. Disparities across neighborhoods – frequently driven by historical and contemporary racial and economic segregation – have been linked to differences in present day air pollution and urban tree canopy. Many of these communities also disproportionately inhabit hazard-prone areas and are at higher risk of adverse climate impacts. One approach to address the convergence of increased climate risks and vulnerable communities is through knowledge co-production. Co-production seeks to develop solutions through legitimate and robust processes that draw on diverse and credible expertise with, by, and for those who are likely to use them. Co-production weaves threads of research, planning, and policy in an iterative cycle that continues to build upon previous insights and outputs. This paper presents a framework for reflexive co-production and assesses three modes of co-production for urban greening and climate impact risk reduction in Austin, Texas, USA. These include a multi-hazard risk mapping initiative, a resident-driven community indicator system for adaptive capacity, and a neighborhood household preparedness guide. We establish a set of functional and transformational criteria from which to evaluate co-production for climate adaptation and assess each initiative across the criteria. We conclude with some recommendations that can advance co-production for building community resilience to the impacts of climate change.