Size matters: action space for sustainability transition among planners in Swedish municipalities

Abstract

We analyse the action space for strategic planning and sustainability transition among planners in Swedish municipalities. We use qualitative and quantitative materials from 103 survey responses obtained from Swedish municipal planners. Our analysis shows that the size and type (e.g. population and density) of the municipality where the planners work are connected to their perceived action space, where policies for densely populated cities are less relevant for rural municipalities. Even if size matters for the action space for sustainability transition, this action space can be modified (e.g. access to resources and participation in networks) and continuously constructed.