New article: Key constraints to planning zero-carbon cities and regions

The article titled "A 'congealed' Swedish planning community? Key constraints to planning zero-carbon cities and regions" examines key constraints to Swedish spatial planning in the transition to zero-carbon cities and regions. The authors highlight the importance of fundamentally changing the way we plan and develop our cities and regions in response to climate change.

Based on 27 qualitative interviews with Swedish planning professionals, the study identifies four key constraints affecting planners' agency and capacity. These include the increasing politicisation and complexity of planning practice, a cultivated practice of bypassing planners' expertise, and a loss of control over their own professional sphere.

The findings suggest that the Swedish planning community is more 'congealed' than agile when it comes to promoting zero-carbon cities and regions.

Read the article:
Sabrina Fredin, Ida Grundel, Peter Schmitt, Dick Magnusson, Marcus Mohall, Kristina Trygg, Anders Rickegård, (2026), A 'congealed' Swedish planning community? Key constraints to planning zero-carbon cities and regions, Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society.

Peter Schmitt is a Professor of Human Geography with a focus on Urban and Regional Planning and Director for the Master's Programme in Urban and Regional Planning at Stockholm University.

Anders Rickegård is a lecturer in Human Geography with a focus on Urban and Regional Planning and Programme Director for the BSc in Urban and Regional Planning, Stockholm University.