Local Spatial Planning Processes and Integration of Sustainability Perspective Through a Broad Systems Perspective and Systematic Approach

Abstract

Cities play an important role in forwarding sustainability. In Sweden, municipalities have a monopoly on spatial planning and are, therefore, key actors for developing sustainable cities. Through integrating sustainability concerns early in the planning processes they have a significant possibility to have an impact on other actors’ towards increased sustainability. The aim of this paper is to discuss a process for how sustainability concerns can be addressed in municipalities’ spatial planning. It is based on experiences from an on-going planning process in Linköping, Sweden. There is a rapid increase in the number of index-based assessment and planning tools for sustainable cities (e.g. BREEAM communities, LEED neighbourhood, CASBEE-City). In Sweden, there is a newly developed tool: Citylab action, which has clear connections to the UN sustainable development goals. However, from a city planning perspective the existing tools are often complex and lack conformity with other municipal processes. There is therefore a need for municipalities to reflect on which tools that are useful, what the local needs for support are, and to develop inclusive and broad planning processes with a broad systems perspective in which actor involvement is key, and where the city’s overall strategies and policies, as well as national and international goals, are clearly disseminated.