Interconnections of Social and Environmental Resilience in Tampere, Finland: A Thematic Study

Abstract

Although Finland enjoys many advantages in its Nordic locale, like cities worldwide, Finnish cities are experiencing growing urban challenges, including social, economic and technological inequities, localised climate change impacts and biodiversity loss. These local challenges are exacerbated by complex, compounding global crises with localised impacts. This master’s thesis explores the interconnections of social and environmental resilience at the local city level through a qualitative thematic analysis study. A theoretical base of resilience thinking, Kate Raworth’s (2017) Doughnut Economy theory, a socio-ecological perspective, and a dynamic systems thinking approach were used. The local community were involved in the research process through a Community-Based Participatory Research methodological approach. For data collection, seven (7) in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with a range of residents and experts. Further data was gathered through three (3) European conferences and one (1) year of ethnographic participant observation practice. A thematic analysis was conducted on the data to explore participants’ experiences and perceptions of resilience. The main research question was answered by the thematic analysis, which generated three (3) major themes – Nature-Inspired Solutions, Interactive Urban Practices, and Designing Carbon-Negative Cities – and two (2) supporting themes – Understandings of Resilience and Building Resilience. Fourteen (14) key interconnections of social and environmental resilience were identified – Adaptation, Green and Blue Infrastructure, Climate-Robust Cities, The Value of Nature, Food Sovereignty, Co- Learning, Equality, Purposeful Places, Sharing Economy, Circular Economy, Walkability, Urban Farming, Carbon Stores, and Innovation, and six (6) supporting interconnections – Interconnected Crises, Multilevel Governance, Risk Identification, Co-Creation, Tangible Spaces, and Community Values. These combined twenty (20) subthemes are proposed to represent key socio-ecological interconnections, practices, and solutions for urban resilience. The secondary research questions were answered through the findings that resilience is experienced in unique ways by different members and demographics of society and that innovative, participatory, and forward-looking tools, policies, and practices are required to address gaps in city resilience and support future urban resilience actions. This study's findings contribute to the existing literature by offering new insights into the holistic approaches required to strengthen urban resilience at the local city level. The results are intended to provide practical contributions to the urban and socio-ecological resilience fields. Overall, a strong need was identified for increasing nature-inspired, interactive, and regenerative approaches in Tampere, along with enacting a combined green and digital transition that prioritises human and planetary health and community empowerment for disaster risk reduction to avert a worsening climate emergency. Implementing these practices across diverse urban settings, from public spaces to residential buildings, neighbourhoods, communities, and surrounding natural areas, is suggested to foster enhanced trust, equality, social inclusivity, well-being, and resilience. Furthermore, an urgent need emerged to integrate innovative climate mitigation into urban processes, such as through circular economy, urban farming, carbon stores in the built environment, and carbon-negative practices. In conclusion, the research findings confirm the premises that social and environmental resilience are intertwined, human and planetary well-being are intrinsically connected, and stronger urban resilience is required to respond effectively to localised urban risks, challenges, and crises.