A multi-stakeholder participatory methodology to facilitate socio-ecological climate change vulnerability–adaptation–resilience strategies: application of the Q Method

Peri-urban spaces are critical components of urban systems and highly vulnerable to climate change (CC). Viable adaptation strategies for these spaces should consider the interconnectedness between cities and their peri-urbanities, and their vulnerability–adaptation–resilience dynamics, which emphasizes understanding their state of accumulative vulnerability, beyond the environmental realm. Further, the successful implementation of adaptation measures requires multi-stakeholder participation. Thus, peri-urbanities need to actively incorporate their perceptions during the development of such interventions. This work aims at establishing the preferences at both the individual and community level in a peri-urban area during the identification of its vulnerability–adaptation–resilience dynamics. This approach was applied to a peri-urbanity in Northwestern Mexico under a multi-decade drought. The Q Method was utilized to understand the community’s priorities regarding CC adaptations. The findings were discussed between academics, local government officials, and the community and then used to outline a strategy that would empower locals to implement a priority-based plan. It is suggested that this plan include green infrastructure, household water and energy savings, comprehensive waste management, and local food production. These findings could be used as reference to create local adaptation–resilience efforts in other drought-prone peri-urban spaces with similar vulnerability–adaptation–resilience dynamics.