Enhancing the knowledge–governance interface: Coasts, climate and collaboration

Conventional systems of government have not been very successful in resolving coastal management problems. This lack of progress is partially attributable to inadequate representation in governance processes of the variety of knowledges present on the coast. In particular there has been a struggle t...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Ocean & coastal management Vol. 86; pp. 88 - 99
Main Authors:	Clarke, Beverley, Stocker, Laura, Coffey, Brian, Leith, Peat, Harvey, Nick, Baldwin, Claudia, Baxter, Tom, Bruekers, Gonni, Galano, Chiara Danese, Good, Meg, Haward, Marcus, Hofmeester, Carolyn, De Freitas, Debora Martins, Mumford, Taryn, Nursey-Bray, Melissa, Kriwoken, Lorne, Shaw, Jenny, Shaw, Janette, Smith, Tim, Thomsen, Dana, Wood, David, Cannard, Toni
Format:	Journal Article Conference Proceeding
Language:	English
Published:	Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2013 Elsevier
Subjects:	Earth sciences Earth, ocean, space Exact sciences and technology Geomorphology, landform evolution Marine and continental quaternary Surficial geology institutions interfaces solution management Decision making climate rupture
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	Conventional systems of government have not been very successful in resolving coastal management problems. This lack of progress is partially attributable to inadequate representation in governance processes of the variety of knowledges present on the coast. In particular there has been a struggle to engage effectively with climate science and its implications. There has also been a broader failure to capture the complexity of voices, interests, values, and discourses of coastal users. We argue here that coastal governance challenges are not likely to be resolved by singular solutions; rather, interaction and collaboration will generate improvements. We suggest that a co-requisite for progress in coastal management is the development of institutions and processes that enable different knowledges to have a bearing on governance processes. This paper examines a selection of the many opportunities available to broaden and enhance the use of knowledge in decision-making for the coast. A description is provided of emerging elements of coastal governance from an Australian perspective, together with new types of institutions, processes, tools and techniques that may help to achieve an improved coastal knowledge–governance interaction. ► We research the interface between knowledge- and decision-making in Australia's coastal zone. ► Good dialogue requires both a receptive governance process and accessible knowledge systems. ► Traditional systems of government do not reflect the variety of coastal perspectives and knowledges. ► More collaborative approaches to governance using diverse knowledges are required. ► We present processes and tools that support these approaches.
ISSN:	0964-5691 1873-524X
DOI:	10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2013.02.009