Adaptive capacity of the Pearl River Delta cities in the face of the growing flood risk: Institutions, ideas and interests

Although the cities in Pearl River Delta (PRD) China are amongst world’s most exposed to flooding due climate change, surprisingly little is done address this problem. This article explores barriers emergence of policies adapting growing flood risk two PRD cities, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, underlining importance Chinese territorial governance system for adaptive capacity at local level. Focusing on institutions, ideas interests as a heuristic device, contributes literature urban adaptation nexus spatial planning management by exploring why how development hampered, despite an urgent need it.