查看文章

Because the impacts of climate change are felt at the local level, we assess adaptation diffusion mechanisms (i.e., learning, competition, and emulation) among smaller big cities and medium-sized towns. Since the diffusion of adaptation has immediate spatial implications, we argue that local conditions play an important role in the diffusion process. The densely populated Rhein-Neckar Metropolitan Region in Germany is an ideal case for studying diffusion mechanisms with regard to adaptation. Using a rich data set of 28 interviews, we unpack the views of local actors such as mayors, city council politicians, city administration representatives, and representatives from regional agencies and identify factors influencing the diffusion of adaptation. We find limited or compromised diffusion due to insufficient knowledge about adaptation, competition between municipalities, and cooperation with cities outside the region …