Developing institutional capacity for flexible coastal climate change adaptation planning in Sweden

Rising sea levels and coastal flooding pose urgent global challenges recognized by the IPCC and UNFCCC since the 1990s. In Sweden, climate adaptation has evolved through initiatives such as the 1992 CO₂ tax and the National Climate Adaptation Strategy. The Skåne region in southern Sweden faces increasing coastal erosion and flooding, prompting both engineered and nature-based protection measures. Addressing these impacts requires planning approaches that integrate short-term responses with long-term flexibility. This paper explores the Dynamic Adaptive Pathways Planning (DAPP) approach as a potential framework for managing rising sea levels within the Swedish planning system. While DAPP has been applied internationally, few examples demonstrate full implementation due to institutional and legal barriers. Through a case study in Kalmar municipality, this research examines how flexible land-use strategies, such as flexmark areas for temporary or adaptive functions, could be integrated into Swedish planning. The study assesses the institutional capacity, legal prerequisites, and procedural adjustments needed to operationalize DAPP within existing frameworks. By testing DAPP in a Swedish context, the paper provides insights into how adaptive and resilient planning can strengthen long-term flood risk management and coastal climate adaptation.