Scaling-up low-carbon urban initiatives: Towards a better understanding

Abstract

In cities worldwide, low-carbon urban initiatives (LCUIs) are realised by pioneers that prove that climate mitigation strategies can be integrated in urban development trajectories. Practitioners and scholars reflect on the need to scale-up such initiatives in order to accelerate the transition to low-carbon cities. Yet, limited conceptual clarity exists regarding the meaning of the concept of 'scaling-up' and the factors driving this process. This article aims to contribute to practice and theory on low-carbon urban development by presenting a taxonomy on the concept of scalingup. Moreover, an explanatory framework is presented consisting of factors expected to contribute to the impact and scaling-up of LCUIs. Two case studies were conducted to illustrate the explanatory framework. The studies are illustrative but suggest that the explanatory framework allows for a systematic understanding of how the impact of former initiatives can be explained, and how their scaling-up can be promoted.

Rescaling low‐carbon transformations: Towards a relational ontology

“…Recent contributions by van Doren et al. () and Fuhr et al. () are among the few to engage explicitly with the question of scale in the understanding and promotion of LCUIs.…”

Scaling-up energy conservation initiatives: Barriers and local strategies

“…While the concept of scaling-up can encompass various meanings, we interpret it as a process where there is an increase in uptake, growth, or replication of EIs ('horizontal pathways to upscaling', see (World Bank, 2003;van Doren et al, 2016). At present, EIs are primarily realized by actors who are driven by environmental concern and a willingness to demonstrate that 'it can be done' (Chmutina et al, 2014;Klein et al, 2012;Seyfang, 2010;van Doren et al, 2016).…”

“…At present, EIs are primarily realized by actors who are driven by environmental concern and a willingness to demonstrate that 'it can be done' (Chmutina et al, 2014;Klein et al, 2012;Seyfang, 2010;van Doren et al, 2016). However, to accomplish the lowcarbon transition, such initiatives need to be scaled-up beyond green-minded actors and reach a wider…”

“…Previous studies have reflected on success factors to the realization of such initiatives and indicate that successful initiatives are often initiated by actors who are intrinsically motivated to engage in the process due to their levels of environmental concern and willingness to pioneer (Chmutina, Wiersma, Goodier, & Devine-Wright, 2014;Klein, Hooimeijer, Bossink, Mulder, & Brouwer, 2012;Seyfang, 2010;van Doren, Driessen, Runhaar, & Giezen, 2016).…”

“…However, what are barriers to the increase in uptake, spatial growth, and replication -i.e., the scaling-up (Hancock, 2003;van Doren et al, 2016)-of such EIs? And what strategies can initiators of EIs and other actors with an interest in the scaling-up of EIs apply in order to address these barriers?…”