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This article approaches urban ethics through critically examining the production and reproduction of an eco-modern socio-technical imaginary of sustainable urban development in Sweden, and the conditions and obstacles this poses for a just transformation. We see that notions of ecological modernization re-present problems of urban sustainability in ways that do not challenge the predominant regime, but rather uphold unjust power relations. More particularly, through an approach inspired by critical discourse analysis, we uncover what these problem representations entail, deconstructing what we find as three cornerstones of an eco-modern imaginary that obstruct the emergence of a more ethically-engaged understanding of urban sustainability. The first concerns which scales and system boundaries are constructed as relevant, and how this results in some modes and places of production and consumption being constructed as more efficient—and sustainable—than others. The second cornerstone has to do with what resources and ways of using them (including mediating technologies) are foregrounded and constructed as more important in relation to sustainability than others. The third cornerstone concerns the construction of subjectivities, through which some types of people and practices are put forth as more efficient—and sustainable—than others. Utilizing a critical speculative design approach, we explore a selection of alternative problem representations, and finally discuss these in relation to the possibility of affording a more ethical urban design and planning practice.
Pernilla Hagbert; Josefin Wangel; Loove Broms. Exploring the Potential for Just Urban Transformations in Light of Eco-Modernist Imaginaries of Sustainability. Urban Planning 2020, 5, 204 -216.
AMA StylePernilla Hagbert, Josefin Wangel, Loove Broms. Exploring the Potential for Just Urban Transformations in Light of Eco-Modernist Imaginaries of Sustainability. Urban Planning. 2020; 5 (4):204-216.
Chicago/Turabian StylePernilla Hagbert; Josefin Wangel; Loove Broms. 2020. "Exploring the Potential for Just Urban Transformations in Light of Eco-Modernist Imaginaries of Sustainability." Urban Planning 5, no. 4: 204-216.
This study explores the local municipality as an important arena for developing and implementing initiatives for a transition to long-term sustainable development. It focuses on institutional conditions that support the integration of ‘radical’, transition-oriented perspectives and ideas (i.e. perspectives stressing the need for changed social power relations and ‘other’ norms and visions for the future,) in local governance, with a specific focus on small municipalities. Inspired by transition literature and theory on institutional capacity, the paper explores frames of reference, relational resources, and mobilisation capacity. Empirically, the paper builds on research in two small municipalities in Sweden, where we studied documents on policy for local development, and energy and land-use planning, and carried out qualitative interviews with politicians, planners, and actors from local industry and civil society. The study provides a rich empirical illustration of specific conditions that affect the possibilities to work with transition-oriented perspectives in small municipalities.
Karolina Isaksson; Pernilla Hagbert. Institutional capacity to integrate ‘radical’ perspectives on sustainability in small municipalities: experiences from Sweden. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 2020, 36, 83 -93.
AMA StyleKarolina Isaksson, Pernilla Hagbert. Institutional capacity to integrate ‘radical’ perspectives on sustainability in small municipalities: experiences from Sweden. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. 2020; 36 ():83-93.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKarolina Isaksson; Pernilla Hagbert. 2020. "Institutional capacity to integrate ‘radical’ perspectives on sustainability in small municipalities: experiences from Sweden." Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 36, no. : 83-93.
In planning for a future that fulfils sustainability goals, there is a need to explore how roles taken in socio-ecological transitions are perceived among different types of actors. Empirical insights from interviews with diverse actors involved in Swedish housing development are presented, addressing the roles, conflicting logics and power relations between different sectoral categories of actors and at different organizational levels. Key aspects that emerge relate to the shift from state to market in contemporary Swedish housing development, where private companies emphasize their role in shaping societal development as inherent to working with sustainability. Conflicting logics can be found between short-term economic interests and long-term planning and policy, as well as intra-organizational differences in competency and leadership. Conclusions point to that the role of third sector or community actors in pushing agendas and norms to bring about transitions could be acknowledged further. Yet there is a need to examine the power relations currently reproduced, and how these could be challenged in future housing development. This includes critically assessing the potential for new types of actors and cross-sectoral collaborations, but also instigating more fundamental discussions of the kind of society strived for, and the radical transitions needed.
Pernilla Hagbert; Tove Malmqvist. Actors in transition: shifting roles in Swedish sustainable housing development. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment 2019, 34, 697 -714.
AMA StylePernilla Hagbert, Tove Malmqvist. Actors in transition: shifting roles in Swedish sustainable housing development. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment. 2019; 34 (3):697-714.
Chicago/Turabian StylePernilla Hagbert; Tove Malmqvist. 2019. "Actors in transition: shifting roles in Swedish sustainable housing development." Journal of Housing and the Built Environment 34, no. 3: 697-714.
The idea of continued economic growth is increasingly questioned and critically analysed on the basis of its potential negative sustainability impact. Along with the critique, visions and strategies for alternative systems need also be brought onto the agenda. The aim of this paper is to present the qualitative content of scenarios that explore sustainability strategies for the Swedish society when economic growth is not seen as an end in itself, and instead the objective is other values/targets that society might wish to achieve. Multi-target backcasting scenarios are developed that illustrate future states in which four sustainability targets (climate, land use, participation, and resource security) are to be attained. The focus of these four scenarios is: 1) a Collaborative economy, 2) Local self-sufficiency, 3) Automation for quality of life, and 4) Circular economy in the welfare state. In the paper, we also present the process of the development of the scenarios, and feedback from stakeholders. Although the focus is on Sweden, the process and scenarios may also be relevant for other similar countries. The scenarios are discussed in terms of their relevance and their purpose, the fulfilment of the sustainability targets, and the multi-target approach.
Åsa Svenfelt; Eva C. Alfredsson; Karin Bradley; Eléonore Fauré; Göran Finnveden; Paul Fuehrer; Ulrika Gunnarsson-Östling; Karolina Isaksson; Mikael Malmaeus; Tove Malmqvist; Kristian Skånberg; Peter Stigson; Åsa Aretun; Katarina Buhr; Pernilla Hagbert; Erika Öhlund. Scenarios for sustainable futures beyond GDP growth 2050. Futures 2019, 111, 1 -14.
AMA StyleÅsa Svenfelt, Eva C. Alfredsson, Karin Bradley, Eléonore Fauré, Göran Finnveden, Paul Fuehrer, Ulrika Gunnarsson-Östling, Karolina Isaksson, Mikael Malmaeus, Tove Malmqvist, Kristian Skånberg, Peter Stigson, Åsa Aretun, Katarina Buhr, Pernilla Hagbert, Erika Öhlund. Scenarios for sustainable futures beyond GDP growth 2050. Futures. 2019; 111 ():1-14.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÅsa Svenfelt; Eva C. Alfredsson; Karin Bradley; Eléonore Fauré; Göran Finnveden; Paul Fuehrer; Ulrika Gunnarsson-Östling; Karolina Isaksson; Mikael Malmaeus; Tove Malmqvist; Kristian Skånberg; Peter Stigson; Åsa Aretun; Katarina Buhr; Pernilla Hagbert; Erika Öhlund. 2019. "Scenarios for sustainable futures beyond GDP growth 2050." Futures 111, no. : 1-14.
During the last decade, degrowth has developed into a central research theme within sustainability science. A significant proportion of previous works on degrowth has focused on macro-level units of analysis, such as global or national economies. Less is known about local interpretations of degrowth. This study explored interpretations of growth and degrowth in a local setting and attempts to integrate degrowth ideas into local policy. The work was carried out as a qualitative single-case study of the small town of Alingsås, Sweden. The results revealed two different, yet interrelated, local growth discourses in Alingsås: one relating to population growth and one relating to economic growth. Individuals participating in the degrowth discourse tend to have a sustainability-related profession and/or background in civil society. Arenas for local degrowth discussions are few and temporary and, despite some signs of influence, degrowth-related ideas have not had any significant overall impact on local policy and planning. In practice, degrowth-interested individuals tend to adjust their arguments to the mainstream sustainability discourse and turn to arenas beyond the formal municipal organization when discussing transformative ideas about development, progress, and quality of life. Based on these findings, the conditions for a further integration of degrowth into local policy and planning are discussed. Suggested themes for further research are institutional change and the role of local politicians.
Katarina Buhr; Karolina Isaksson; Pernilla Hagbert. Local Interpretations of Degrowth—Actors, Arenas and Attempts to Influence Policy. Sustainability 2018, 10, 1899 .
AMA StyleKatarina Buhr, Karolina Isaksson, Pernilla Hagbert. Local Interpretations of Degrowth—Actors, Arenas and Attempts to Influence Policy. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (6):1899.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKatarina Buhr; Karolina Isaksson; Pernilla Hagbert. 2018. "Local Interpretations of Degrowth—Actors, Arenas and Attempts to Influence Policy." Sustainability 10, no. 6: 1899.
Nicolas Francart; Tove Malmqvist; Pernilla Hagbert. Climate target fulfilment in scenarios for a sustainable Swedish built environment beyond growth. Futures 2018, 98, 1 -18.
AMA StyleNicolas Francart, Tove Malmqvist, Pernilla Hagbert. Climate target fulfilment in scenarios for a sustainable Swedish built environment beyond growth. Futures. 2018; 98 ():1-18.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNicolas Francart; Tove Malmqvist; Pernilla Hagbert. 2018. "Climate target fulfilment in scenarios for a sustainable Swedish built environment beyond growth." Futures 98, no. : 1-18.
The environmental impact associated with modern ways of living is widely recognized and has been increasingly problematized. A prevailing discourse in sustainable housing tends to focus on building performance, along with compelling stories of “green” lifestyles and attractive urban housing concepts, while avoiding storylines that suggest more profound changes in society and everyday life. This paper argues that in order to address the resource-intensity of contemporary ways of living, we need to engage with perspectives of transition that go beyond technical eco-efficient solutions. Other narratives are therefore explored, based in empirical insights from home visits and in-depth interviews with people seeking less impactful and more self-sufficient ways of living in the context of an affluent society as Sweden. The paper looks at how alternative narratives are manifested in (and through) the home as a starting point for transitions to a low-impact society. Highlighting aspects of agency, situated in the everyday and in the existing built fabric, these “home front transitioners” provide another story – one that questions mainstream assumptions of a pre-defined green lifestyle, and contributes to a more diversified perspective on sustainable living.QC 20170804
Pernilla Hagbert; Karin Bradley. Transitions on the home front: A story of sustainable living beyond eco-efficiency. Energy Research & Social Science 2017, 31, 240 -248.
AMA StylePernilla Hagbert, Karin Bradley. Transitions on the home front: A story of sustainable living beyond eco-efficiency. Energy Research & Social Science. 2017; 31 ():240-248.
Chicago/Turabian StylePernilla Hagbert; Karin Bradley. 2017. "Transitions on the home front: A story of sustainable living beyond eco-efficiency." Energy Research & Social Science 31, no. : 240-248.
Pernilla Hagbert. “It’s Just a Matter of Adjustment”: Residents’ Perceptions and the Potential for Low-impact Home Practices. Housing, Theory and Society 2016, 33, 288 -304.
AMA StylePernilla Hagbert. “It’s Just a Matter of Adjustment”: Residents’ Perceptions and the Potential for Low-impact Home Practices. Housing, Theory and Society. 2016; 33 (3):288-304.
Chicago/Turabian StylePernilla Hagbert. 2016. "“It’s Just a Matter of Adjustment”: Residents’ Perceptions and the Potential for Low-impact Home Practices." Housing, Theory and Society 33, no. 3: 288-304.
Environmental consideration within the Swedish construction sector can no longer be considered marginal. It is here discussed whether the same commitment is extended to facilitate deeper dimensions of sustainability in the provision of housing, beyond simply energy-efficient residential buildings? The paper presents the case of a multi-family ‘green’ residential area being developed in Göteborg, Sweden. An interview study with the seven housing developers building in the area provides primary empirical insights, further complemented by findings from a workshop with architects involved in the project. Conceptualizations of sustainability in housing are explored, based in discourses among these market actors. Issues identified in the inductive data analysis relate to the ambitions set and measures taken in new ‘green’ building, as well as market perceptions of housing standards, lifestyles and household configurations that are reproduced in the built environment. The paper shows that interpretations of sustainability in market-led housing development do not radically challenge the normative and resource intense contemporary ideals surrounding the urban home and that the realization of goals undertaken in the case of Kvillebäcken is generally dependent on economic considerations and market assessments. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the need to formulate an integrative approach to more holistic sustainable residential environments.
Pernilla Hagbert; Paula Femenías. Sustainable homes, or simply energy-efficient buildings? Journal of Housing and the Built Environment 2015, 31, 1 -17.
AMA StylePernilla Hagbert, Paula Femenías. Sustainable homes, or simply energy-efficient buildings? Journal of Housing and the Built Environment. 2015; 31 (1):1-17.
Chicago/Turabian StylePernilla Hagbert; Paula Femenías. 2015. "Sustainable homes, or simply energy-efficient buildings?" Journal of Housing and the Built Environment 31, no. 1: 1-17.
Domestic water payment schemes are often a product of their time, place and what is perceived to be customary. Aspects that payment schemes can take into account include resource conservation, equity, maintainability, and profitability. In contemporary Sweden profitable environmentally sustainable solutions are promoted, such as the introduction of volumetric billing of water in rental apartments. This paper describes the detailed consequences of this change in the payment structure for domestic water in terms of reduced resource consumption, direct impact on household economies and perceptions of the system's change process. By combining high-resolution quantitative data on water usage and socio-economic household characteristics with qualitative data from semi-standardized interviews with residents, it is possible to identify the different impacts of the system's change and how the process was experienced. It was shown that while water usage decreased by 30%, 63% of the households had increased monthly costs, and unemployed residents were further disadvantaged and closer to social exclusion. Focusing on making environmental sustainability profitable, as posited in ecological modernization theory, may shadow negative impacts on social sustainability.
Mikael Mangold; Greg Morrison; Robin Harder; Pernilla Hagbert; Sebastien Rauch; Gregory Morrison. The transformative effect of the introduction of water volumetric billing in a disadvantaged housing area in Sweden. Water Policy 2014, 16, 973 -990.
AMA StyleMikael Mangold, Greg Morrison, Robin Harder, Pernilla Hagbert, Sebastien Rauch, Gregory Morrison. The transformative effect of the introduction of water volumetric billing in a disadvantaged housing area in Sweden. Water Policy. 2014; 16 (5):973-990.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMikael Mangold; Greg Morrison; Robin Harder; Pernilla Hagbert; Sebastien Rauch; Gregory Morrison. 2014. "The transformative effect of the introduction of water volumetric billing in a disadvantaged housing area in Sweden." Water Policy 16, no. 5: 973-990.
Paula Femenías; Pernilla Hagbert. The Habitation Lab: Using a Design Approach to Foster Innovation for Sustainable Living. Technology Innovation Management Review 2013, 3, 15 -21.
AMA StylePaula Femenías, Pernilla Hagbert. The Habitation Lab: Using a Design Approach to Foster Innovation for Sustainable Living. Technology Innovation Management Review. 2013; 3 (11):15-21.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaula Femenías; Pernilla Hagbert. 2013. "The Habitation Lab: Using a Design Approach to Foster Innovation for Sustainable Living." Technology Innovation Management Review 3, no. 11: 15-21.
Paula Femenías; Pernilla Hagbert. The Habitation Lab: Using a Design Approach to Foster Innovation for Sustainable Living. Technology Innovation Management Review 2013, 3, 15 -21.
AMA StylePaula Femenías, Pernilla Hagbert. The Habitation Lab: Using a Design Approach to Foster Innovation for Sustainable Living. Technology Innovation Management Review. 2013; 3 (11):15-21.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaula Femenías; Pernilla Hagbert. 2013. "The Habitation Lab: Using a Design Approach to Foster Innovation for Sustainable Living." Technology Innovation Management Review 3, no. 11: 15-21.
As global and local visions for sustainable living environments are increasingly supported by policies and concrete practices in construction, the building and housing sector is seeking to mitigate its environmental impact as well as assume a greater social responsibility. The overarching policy objectives set to concretize what a sustainable housing development entails, however, tend to rely on equivocal terminology, allowing a varied interpretation by key industry practitioners. Though in line with an ecological modernization paradigm in policy, the promotion of a market-driven environmentalism in housing faces multiple challenges as varying interests and perspectives collide. Supported by empirical findings of a semi-structured interview study conducted with housing developers in a new ‘green’ urban district in Göteborg, Sweden, theoretical frameworks surrounding the paradoxical path towards a sustainable housing development are presented. Inconsistencies between outspoken ambitions; social dimensions; and the framing of efficiency in new housing are discussed. Possibilities for the housing sector are given in the recognition of new forms of development, where a systemic perspective is required in the alignment between how industry, policy and the market perceives housing development and what is actually sustainable.
Pernilla Hagbert; Mikael Mangold; Paula Femenías. Paradoxes and Possibilities for a ‘Green’ Housing Sector: A Swedish Case. Sustainability 2013, 5, 2018 -2035.
AMA StylePernilla Hagbert, Mikael Mangold, Paula Femenías. Paradoxes and Possibilities for a ‘Green’ Housing Sector: A Swedish Case. Sustainability. 2013; 5 (5):2018-2035.
Chicago/Turabian StylePernilla Hagbert; Mikael Mangold; Paula Femenías. 2013. "Paradoxes and Possibilities for a ‘Green’ Housing Sector: A Swedish Case." Sustainability 5, no. 5: 2018-2035.