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Popular Science Summary
The study in this report is part of method development for the sub-project ”Ecosystem Services and Climate Adaptation” (Project action C3) within LIFE IP Rich Waters and falls under the theme of water planning. The goal of the study has been to gain increased knowledge about how stakeholders affected by the sub-project’s two case study areas, Bällstaån and Arbogaån, experience conditions and obstacles for getting flow mitigation measures in place.
The applied method was qualitative data collection via interviews with selected representatives of authorities within the case study areas. As part of the method, a limited literature study was carried out. An example measure was selected and, together with the project group, a gross list of relevant prerequisites and obstacles was created, divided into financial, legal and socio-economic categories.
Conditions and obstacles were expressed as variables, for example a legal condition was expressed with the variable availability. The result was a mapping (table 1) which formed the basis for interview questions to the stakeholders. The approach was to first present an example measure and freely ask the respondents to develop prerequisites and obstacles. In a later stage of the interview, the respondents were asked to comment on the produced variables about which they had knowledge or opinion. Four interviews were conducted, two for Bällstaån and two for Arbogaån.
In the case of Bällstaån, the example measure was replaced by ponds, swamps and leveling reservoirs, which according to the respondents (municipal representatives) were more realistic to discuss. The category of organizational factors, which was not included in the survey, is significant and was added by the respondents during the interview. For Bällstaån, legal prerequisites and obstacles, above all land use and organizational factors such as working methods, are prominent and largely controlling in order to get measures in place. The financial conditions such as the decided budget are also important because a couple of socio-economic conditions such as recreation, user values can be identified but are not decisive.
The Arboga River flows mostly through rural areas and exhibits large potential flood areas. The two interviews were divided between a county board representative and a municipal representative, and also in these measures, the example measure was replaced by the mushroom measure. The legal prerequisites and obstacles and how to limit construction in risk areas associated with land use were significant for the representative from the county board. At the municipal level, financial and legal conditions and obstacles are of great importance. Financing opportunities are a high priority for the municipality. Land use and that measures are coordinated with detailed plans are important pieces. As in the Bällstaån case, the municipal representative mentioned that organizational factors are important in terms of the distribution of responsibilities.
Although the outcome was to some extent different from the starting point for the interviews when example measures had to be replaced, additions were made, certain variables were highlighted strongly because some were not commented on, the approach was good as the structure with categories, variables etcetera functioned as a catalyst. The quality of the interviews was at a high level, which contributes to fulfilling the study’s objective of gaining increased knowledge about how stakeholders around the case study areas experience conditions and obstacles.
