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Fostering Sustainability Transitions by Designing for the Convergence of Policy Windows and Transition Arenas

Author

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  • John Harlow

    (School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5603, USA)

  • Erik Johnston

    (School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5603, USA)

  • Eric Hekler

    (School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004-0698, USA)

  • Zoë Yeh

    (School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004-0698, USA)

Abstract

Transition arenas that do not converge with policy windows to achieve structural or institutional change often fail to achieve their stated transformative goals. For their part, policy windows often lead to only incremental change. On their own, transition management and the multiple streams approach seem inadequate to the challenges facing cities. However, in combination, they can be transformative, as exemplified by the Citizens Committee for the Future of Phoenix Transportation. In 2015, this committee in Phoenix, AZ passed a ~USD 31.5 billion 2050 transportation plan funded by a sales tax increase from 0.4 to 0.7%. This plan’s development realized a policy window in a transition arena through an instrumental boundary object workshop with innovative facilitation. This article sets out to explore, based on this in-depth, applied transition arena process, how to combine transition management and the multiple streams approach to increase the transformative potential of transition arenas. The multiple streams approach and transition management have rarely been used simultaneously or had their integration planned. However, this case from Phoenix, AZ illustrates the potential for boundary objects and facilitation processes in designing for the convergence of policy windows and transition arenas.

Suggested Citation

  • John Harlow & Erik Johnston & Eric Hekler & Zoë Yeh, 2018. "Fostering Sustainability Transitions by Designing for the Convergence of Policy Windows and Transition Arenas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:2975-:d:164995
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Florian Kern & Michael Howlett, 2009. "Implementing transition management as policy reforms: a case study of the Dutch energy sector," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 42(4), pages 391-408, November.
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    1. Ciprian Ionel Turturean & Ciprian Chirilă & Viorica Chirilă, 2022. "The Convergence in the Sustainability of the Economies of the European Union Countries between 2006 and 2016," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-34, August.
    2. Sampsa Hyysalo & Jani Lukkarinen & Paula Kivimaa & Raimo Lovio & Armi Temmes & Mikael Hildén & Tatu Marttila & Karoliina Auvinen & Sofi Perikangas & Allu Pyhälammi & Janne Peljo & Kaisa Savolainen & L, 2019. "Developing Policy Pathways: Redesigning Transition Arenas for Mid-range Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-22, January.

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