Dynamic adaptation policy pathways for an at-risk coastal railway in Southern Sweden

Purpose and goal:

The main aim of this research was to test if the DAPP method has potential in dynamic adaptation planning of railway infrastructure. Using the railway in Trelleborg as a case we tested this method over a series of three workshops to open a discussion of how dynamic adaptation can fit in the Swedish context. Additionally, we used a Windows of Opportunity approach to analyse the empirical material collected during a series of workshops to uncover any barriers and opportunities for dynamic adaptation.

Expected results and effects:

The Windows of Opportunity approach uncovered various closed, open, reframed, transformed, and half-open windows to dynamic adaptation of railways in Sweden. The results indicate that there is a potential to work with climate adaptation of railway infrastructure in a more dynamic way despite some of the barriers. DAPP can serve as a useful tool in facilitating discussions on how to work with climate adaptation in a more dynamic way on a longer time horizon than currently used in practice today.

Approach and implementation:

Three workshops were held in Trelleborg with various stakeholders. The first workshop was focused on the vulnerabilities, goals, and uncertainties of the area, while the second workshop focused on discussing various adaptation measures, and workshop 3 worked on developing an adaptation pathways map. Using a Windows of Opportunity Approach various open, closed, reframed, transformed, and half-open windows were uncovered to discuss the barriers and opportunities of dynamic adaptation.