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Approaching Sustainability in Local Spatial Planning Processes: A Case Study in the Stockholm Region, Sweden

Author

Listed:
  • Johan Högström

    (Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, S100 44 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Peter Brokking

    (Department of Urban Planning and Environment, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, S100 44 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Berit Balfors

    (Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, S100 44 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Monica Hammer

    (School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, S141 89 Huddinge, Sweden)

Abstract

The quest for cogent responses to sustainability goals challenges local spatial planning practices across growing metropolitan regions to develop planning approaches that enable transformative capacity in increasingly complex settings. Based on a case study conducted in the Stockholm region, this paper explores the design and organization of local planning processes to provide a basis for a discussion of alternative approaches that may enhance sustainability in plan and project development. More specifically, it aims to analyze the conditions for embedding and consolidating sustainability issues in local planning processes. The results show that the municipalities need to create conditions for an effective interplay between the planning work carried out in individual projects and the organization of resources, knowledge, and skills on which the projects depend to handle sustainability issues. This study contributes to the understanding of the challenges associated with putting sustainability into practice at the local level by identifying and conceptualizing three important barriers. By acknowledging the temporal, locational, and procedural dimensions of knowledge in local planning processes, planning practices may become better at knowing when, and in what ways, different forms of knowledge can become created, introduced, and used in a synergistic manner to aid the realization of sustainability goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Johan Högström & Peter Brokking & Berit Balfors & Monica Hammer, 2021. "Approaching Sustainability in Local Spatial Planning Processes: A Case Study in the Stockholm Region, Sweden," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2601-:d:508134
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Raine Mäntysalo & Johanna Tuomisaari & Kaisa Granqvist & Vesa Kanninen, 2019. "The Strategic Incrementalism of Lahti Master Planning: Three Lessons," Planning Theory & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(4), pages 555-572, August.
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    3. United Nations UN, 2015. "Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Working Papers id:7559, eSocialSciences.
    4. Högström, Johan & Balfors, Berit & Hammer, Monica, 2019. "The role of small-scale planning projects in urban development: A case study in the metropolitan Stockholm region, Sweden," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 294-304.
    5. Willem Salet & Jochem de Vries, 2019. "Contextualisation of policy and law in sustainable urban development," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 62(2), pages 189-204, January.
    6. Umberto Janin Rivolin, 2012. "Planning Systems as Institutional Technologies: a Proposed Conceptualization and the Implications for Comparison," Planning Practice & Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(1), pages 63-85.
    7. Pierre Filion & Michelle Lee & Neluka Leanage & Kent Hakull, 2015. "Planners' Perspectives on Obstacles to Sustainable Urban Development: Implications for Transformative Planning Strategies," Planning Practice & Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(2), pages 202-221, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jiao Zhang & Qian Wang & Yiping Xia & Katsunori Furuya, 2022. "Knowledge Map of Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development: A Visual Analysis Using CiteSpace," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-24, February.
    2. Peter Brokking & Ulla Mörtberg & Berit Balfors, 2021. "Municipal Practices for Integrated Planning of Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Development in the Stockholm Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Vincent Wretling & Berit Balfors, 2021. "Are Local Authorities Building Their Capacity to Plan for Reduced Climate Impact? A Longitudinal Analysis of Swedish Comprehensive Plans," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-20, June.

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