Dilemmas of Sustainable Urban Development

Jonathan Metzger is Professor in Urban and Regional Studies at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. Most of his research deals with decision making concerning complex environmental issues—often (but not exclusively) with a focus on urban and regional policy and politics. In his work he relates to, and finds inspiration in, research debates within the subject areas of planning studies, human geography, science and technology studies, and organization studies.​Jenny Lindblad is a PhD candidate in Urban and Regional Studies at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. Her dissertation explores bureaucratic practices in French urban planning, and particularly the implications of contexts as a setting for, and product of, planning. Broadly, her research inquires how material infrastructures shape urban geographies. Jenny is trained in social anthropology, and an associated member of the research center Profession, Architecture, Ville et Environnement (PAVE) of the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture et de Paysage de Bordeaux.

• INTRODUCTIONA practice-centered approach to dilemmas of sustainable urban developmentJonathan Metzger & Jenny LindbladChapter 1. LAWSustainable Development in English planning law: Golden Thread or Black SwanSue Chadwick Chapter 2. POLITICSWho stands up for the ecology? The politics of sustainable land use in StockholmSabina EdelmanChapter 3. CONCRETIZATIONSustainability in city management and urban planning in Gothenburg: from vague vision to social inclusion activities Petra Adolfsson and Sara Brorström Chapter 4. STRATEGYWhat is more important than getting things done? Learning from Sustainable Sydney 2030 Martin KornbergerChapter 5. BEST PRACTICEBest-Practices: Contradictions of the ‘Green City’ in Germany Samuel Mössner & Rob KruegerChapter 6. MOBILITYPromises of intermodality for sustainable mobility in Bordeaux Patrice Godier & Guy TapieChapter 7. COMPLEXITIESConstruction sites of sustainable low carbon transition in Paris: snapshots of internal organization, energy plans and technical infrastructureJonathan Rutherford & Sylvère AngotChapter 8. VALUESValuing sustainability in Bordeaux: should the lawn be mowed?Jenny Lindblad Chapter 9. PROGRAMMINGProgramming urban transitions in practiceJonas BylundChapter 10. EVIDENCEEvidence-based urban development: beyond the urban anecdotes?Magnus Johansson & Joakim ForsemalmChapter 11. SMARTClimate-Smart Cities: A corporate takeover of urban environmental governance in Malmö?Darcy Parks Chapter 12. OWNERSHIPDelivering sustainable development: landownership and accountability in Cambridge citySophia Peacock & Phil Allmendinger Chapter 13. TOOLSRealizing the vision of a socially inclusive RiverCityJacob Lindkvist, Kristian Käll & Anders SvenssonChapter 14. COMMONSProducing collaborative sustainable urban development: experiences of water management in Bangalore, IndiaHita Unnikrishnan, Vanesa Castán Broto & Harini NagendraChapter 15. EXPECTATIONSHope and despair: professionals’ struggle to navigate multiple planning ideas in a public-private collaboration in GothenburgMari Kågström Chapter 16. CONCLUDING COMMENTARYWill sustainability be replaced by resilience, and if so, why?Barbara Czarniawska