Community-based adaptation (CBA) is criticised for ignoring power realities and damaging the very communities it aims to assist. This paper shows how CBA is not a homogenous, technical practice but is itself a political endeavour. It suggests that there are five types of CBA, based on actors’ conceptualisation of communities, approach to development, and interest in either transition or transformation. It then focuses on how the “change agent” type of CBA can overcome this critique. It draws on findings from a three year, multi-disciplinary, participatory research project on water and CBA in four local communities in South Africa.
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