Institutional and perceptual barriers to climate change adaptation governance in medium-sized towns: evidence from the Netherlands

Climate change adaptation (CCA) has become an increasingly important component of urban governance as cities face growing risks from flooding, heat stress, and other climate-related impacts. However, translating adaptation strategies into practice remains challenging. This study examines governance barriers influencing the implementation of CCA in medium-sized municipalities. Drawing on semi-structured interviews conducted in 2019 with public and private sector actors (n = 18), the research analyses adaptation governance in Breda and Tilburg in the Netherlands. The findings show that implementation is constrained by institutional barriers, including organisational silos, fragmented responsibilities, and limited resources, as well as perceptual barriers related to differing understandings of climate risks and adaptation priorities among actors. These dynamics complicate cross-sectoral coordination required for implementing adaptation measures, including interventions such as green infrastructure. By highlighting how institutional and perceptual factors interact within municipal governance, the study contributes to understanding barriers to effective urban climate adaptation in medium-sized towns.