TY - CHAP

T1 - Supporting sustainability transitions by enhancing the human dimension via empowerment, social learning and social capital

AU - Schäpke, Niko

AU - Omann, Ines

AU - Mock, Miriam

AU - Wittmayer, Julia Maria

AU - von Raggamby, Anneke

N1 - URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-201511303315

PY - 2013

Y1 - 2013

N2 - In sustainability transitions, as answers to persistent problems and societal challenges, local initiatives are assumed as having an important role. Their success is supposed to be depended on a variety of drivers. Among others, social and particularly higher order learning is proposed as a key instrument to deal with uncertainties and complexity in sustainability transitions. Empowerment is forwarded as a core aim of governance approaches to facilitate sustainability transitions, due to enabling citizens to shape sustainability locally. Finally social capital is proposed as important precondition for joint local action when addressing societal challenges This paper explores the meaning of social learning, empowerment and social capital for sustainability transitions at local scale and analyses how a development of all three factors can get facilitated by local transition management.In a first step we define and conceptualize social learning, empowerment and social capital in the context of sustainability transitions. We then present the results of three transition management pilot projects in local communities with regard to strengthening social learning, empowerment and social capital amongst participants. In a last step the orientation of the facilitated process towards sustainability is analysed along four dimensions: environmental thinking, social thinking, interregional and inter-temporal thinking. Results show that in all three pilot projects social learning, empowerment and social capital development took place and the processes had a clear orientation towards sustainability.

AB - In sustainability transitions, as answers to persistent problems and societal challenges, local initiatives are assumed as having an important role. Their success is supposed to be depended on a variety of drivers. Among others, social and particularly higher order learning is proposed as a key instrument to deal with uncertainties and complexity in sustainability transitions. Empowerment is forwarded as a core aim of governance approaches to facilitate sustainability transitions, due to enabling citizens to shape sustainability locally. Finally social capital is proposed as important precondition for joint local action when addressing societal challenges This paper explores the meaning of social learning, empowerment and social capital for sustainability transitions at local scale and analyses how a development of all three factors can get facilitated by local transition management.In a first step we define and conceptualize social learning, empowerment and social capital in the context of sustainability transitions. We then present the results of three transition management pilot projects in local communities with regard to strengthening social learning, empowerment and social capital amongst participants. In a last step the orientation of the facilitated process towards sustainability is analysed along four dimensions: environmental thinking, social thinking, interregional and inter-temporal thinking. Results show that in all three pilot projects social learning, empowerment and social capital development took place and the processes had a clear orientation towards sustainability.

KW - Sustainability Science

UR - http://d-nb.info/1079507183

M3 - Article in conference proceedings

T3 - Sustainable Consumption Transitions Series

SP - 277

EP - 293

BT - Pathways, Transitions and Backcasting for Low-Carbon and Sustainable Lifestyles

A2 - Quist, J.

A2 - Wittmayer, J.

A2 - Umpfenbach, K.

A2 - Bauler, T.

PB - Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiative Europe

T2 - SCORAI Europe &amp; InContext Workshop- 2013<br/>

Y2 - 7 October 2013 through 8 October 2013

ER -