A critical analysis of the role of the urban climate resilience nexus in London

Abstract

Although London boasts ambitious climate resilience (CR) targets, implementation has so far been unconvincing, in part due to a lack of integration between policy areas. Nexus thinking focuses on the interlinkages between policy areas to overcome silos which inhibit policy integration. Green infrastructure, sustainable transport and urban form can all result in CR, however an integrated approach to these areas is not evident in the London context. This article explores their role through a nexus lens, the urban climate resilience (UCR) nexus, by focusing on policy implementation in the Boroughs of Greenwich and Southwark. The research is two-tiered, firstly, through policy analysis, used to understand how current policy performs in relation to the UCR nexus, as well as informing the second phase of semi-structured expert interviews to investigate the structures in place to deliver policy. Despite little evidence of nexus thinking, London does have innovative solutions to policy integration, particularly through sustainable transport projects. However, Greenwich and Southwark demonstrate resource and governance issues that inhibit delivery. Nexus thinking can be the catalyst to support delivery; although more innovative approaches to valuation methods, partnership delivery, monitoring and evidence are imperative if the UCR nexus is to be harnessed to deliver CR.