The REACHOUT series of interviews aim at collecting more personal views from colleagues developing and applying climate services for urban adaptation and resilient development, get more insight on the state of knowledge, the main ongoing discourse, and get a more concrete view of what their work encompasses. A sneak peek, so to say, behind the jargon and throbbing sentences used in policy documents and research proposals. Read our latest interview with Einar Flaa, coordination and climate adaptation from the REACHOUT City Hub Lillestrøm municipality interviewed by Amy Oen, senior researcher and technical expert at our REACHOUT partner NGI.

“Climate adaptations are happening!” – Einar Flaa

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to work with climate adaptation?

“I have a master’s degree in physical geography at the University of Oslo. Since then I have worked 20 years with climate adaptation in several directorates and municipalities. I think the most interesting thing about climate adaptation is how communicative it is. It concretely proves that the climate adaptations are happening. Something that more easily motivates people to think and act.”

Lillestrøm is a rapidly growing municipality just outside of Oslo. What are the most important challenges to implementing climate adaptation strategies in this expanding urban area?

“Lillestrøm has several overlapping challenges. As a city, Lillestrøm is exposed to floods from one of Europe’s largest inland deltas. The city, which is protected by a flood embankment, is exposed to rain floods on the city side. Landslides are also a challenge in steeper terrain.”

How have REACHOUT activities (e.g. knowledge exchange, climate service adaptation tools, best-practices) helped enhance resilience or reduce climate change impacts in Lillestrøm?

“REACHOUT has contributed to raising awareness of climate adaptation throughout the municipality. Among other things, the project has contributed to better cooperation with the residents regarding stormwater management.”

What are the challenges for you and your colleagues at Lillestrøm municipality to be a central figure in a research project and collaborate directly with scientists? 

“It can be challenging for municipalities to make direct use of research. There is a gap from research results to concrete measures. This is a challenge in the cooperation between, for example, directorates and municipalities in Norway. Much responsibility is placed on the municipalities without the authorities making sufficient arrangements.”

Have you learned anything new through your participation in developing Lillestrøm’s Climate story?

“The project has taught us to communicate in new ways with the residents. Posting lots of text online is possibly not the most effective. Citizens expect a service from the municipality. This should also be a starting point when we communicate externally.”