Table 2. Synthesis of participatory action-research on the coast of Ílhavo and Vagos (Case 1).

Time frame PAR activity

November 2013–February 2014

Begin contacting representatives of various stakeholders;
Present proposal for making an inter-municipal climate change adaptation action-plan
February–March 2014 Municipal stakeholders gradually become active participants;
Two seminars held: presentations of researchers and invited speakers on climate change and adaptation strategies for coastal regions
April 2014 Scenario workshop, day 1 (26 participants): critique and vision;
Critique of three extreme alternative future storylines (i.e., do nothing, protecting everything, or relocate);
Common vision for the coast in 2100: local populations and infrastructures are protected, current coastline is maintained, and natural ecosystem is preserved
May 2014 Scenario workshop, day 2 (26 participants): action-plan;
Adaptation pathways and tipping points until 2100;
Adaptation actions in the plan: sand nourishment operations, sand dike to strengthen the dune system, submerged detached breakwater (pending further studies), seawalls and groynes, monitoring of sea levels and of coastal erosion
June–July 2014 Follow-up interviews with 12 participants
September 2014–March 2015 Economic cost-benefit analysis (November 2014–March 2015): assessment of technical options for each adaptation measure, as well as of monetary costs, avoided costs, and benefits
June 2015 Final presentation to stakeholders of the plan (June 2015): approximately 60 participants attend presentation of a full report to the wider public;
Action-group (i.e., policymakers, researchers from the local university) applies for grants for implementing the plan; other municipalities want to experiment with the same methodology for climate change adaptation planning