Exploring local projects for sustainable energy in system transition: local perceptions of success

Collins, Beck and Boyd, David and Curzon, Rachel (2016) Exploring local projects for sustainable energy in system transition: local perceptions of success. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 29. pp. 1076-1088. ISSN 0953-7325

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Abstract

In the sustainability transitions literature, ‘success’ is conceived as the transition from an unsustainable system to a sustainable one. However, this view hides a more profound complexity in individual projects which can contribute to system transition. This paper focuses instead on local projects as key sites for change. In two case studies of UK sustainable energy projects, success is shown to be characterised by different causative beliefs held by different people about the problems being addressed, which predetermines solutions to those problems; and hence the nature of success. By acknowledging this multiplicity of success, as perceived by ordinary residents and project organisers as well as transition scholars, ‘narratives of success’ can be recognised, enabling future projects to build on success, and continue along the path to transition. This reconceptualisation provides transition scholars with new ways of understanding and effecting transitions; by focusing on the project level, which is useful in contexts with varying commitment to sustainability.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Technology Analylsis and Strategic Management on 21st December 2016 available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09537325.2016.1268684
Identification Number:	10.1080/09537325.2016.1268684
Dates:	Date Event 21 December 2016 Published 28 November 2016 Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Sustainability transitions, sustainable energy, success, wicked problems
Subjects:	CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-01 - architecture CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-02 - building CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-04 - planning (urban, rural and regional)
Divisions:	Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > College of Built Environment
Depositing User:	Ian Mcdonald
Date Deposited:	05 Jan 2017 09:59
Last Modified:	20 Jun 2024 11:46
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/3766

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