Table 3. Synthesis of participatory action-research in Cascais Municipality (Case 2).

Time frame PAR activity

July 2013

Commencement workshop, revisiting the Cascais Strategic Plan for Climate Change:
20 policymakers and spatial planners of different departments; re-prioritize and substantiate adaptations for the plan;
Examples of priorities: awareness raising, water efficiency programs, guaranty the reduction of diffuse discharge or pollutants in the water, sustainable school, green corridors in the city
September 2013 and September 2014 Tourism and coastal workshops at the Cascais Greenfest:
Tourism: 45 municipal agents and business owners brainstorm adaptation actions that can promote a sustainable tourism;
Coastal: 19 residents and business owners map potential protective measures for coastal areas;
Examples of priority measures for these sectors: less water wasted to reduce costs for tourism infrastructure, construction of a groyne for coastal protection
October–November 2013 Municipality survey: online survey to municipal technicians and policy makers (99 responses);
Main barriers identified for implementation: political will, lack of funding;
Main opportunities: reducing risk and vulnerabilities, participation and citizen engagement
November 2013 Biodiversity, residents, and water resources workshops:
Biodiversity and water resources: municipal technical specialist and spatial planners;
Residents: representatives of the six municipality districts;
Average of 10 participants in each workshop;
Examples of priority measures for these sectors: reforestation, urban farming, reduce water waste, eliminate water pollution focal points
February 2014 Education and health workshops:
Education: 19 school representatives, teachers, municipal communication department;
Health: 18 hospital and health centre representatives, state and municipal policy makers;
Examples of priority measures for these sectors: information campaigns on climate change and heat waves, legislation for bioclimatic construction
February–March 2014 Survey of city residents: personal interview survey (1885 valid responses);
Main barriers identified for implementation: political will, lack of funding;
Economic assessments of adaptations is considered crucial to support action (90% of respondents)
January–May 2015 Cost-effectiveness analysis: identify costs, benefits, effectiveness, and secondary effects of three highest priority adaptation options during the first research cycle: green corridors, water retention gardens, sustainable school
June 2015 Feedback interviews: assess participatory experiences;
Learn about impact of participatory action-research on policy integration because the Cascais Strategic Plan for Climate Change is being annexed to the 2015 revision of the Land Use Plan