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Down to Earth

Text: Malin Zimm
Research: Angelica Åkerman

Through 5 interviews with experts in and around the building sector we explore how we can actively shape a more resilient land use in planning, architecture and construction in the direction of sustainable practices and conduct.

The ground we stand on is all we have. Throughout history, it has provided us with everything, as the foundation of civilization. In this article, we try to lay an ear to the ground, listening to the knowledge that grows from the soil that feeds us. Cultivable soil is a scarce resource, at the intersecting point of many interests. This article will focus on the underrepresented voice of our land use in architecture and planning in the Nordic context.

“If we do not act now, I think we will have a much harder time to transform. We need to get our politicians to understand that either we engage in incremental adaptation, or we will have to deal with a transitional chock in the future.”

– Anders Larsson, researcher and teacher at the Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, SLU Alnarp

In this article we have collected five voices from diverse backgrounds – researchers, policymakers and representatives from universities, and architects – each offering their view on the complexities of sustainable construction and pointing at paths forward while identifying the hurdles impeding the transition from unsustainable to more sustainable practices in construction and architecture:

  • Ulrika Stenkula, Architect, Partner and Marta Bohlmark, Architect, Partner, Gaia arkitektur, Stockholm, Sweden

  • Anders Larsson, Researcher and Teacher at the Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, SLU Alnarp, Sweden

  • Kristiina Lång, Research Professor, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)

  • Thomas Hahn, Associate Professor, Principal Researcher, PHD, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Sweden

  • Katrina Wiberg, Associate Professor, Cand.arch. MDL, PhD, Aarhus School of Architecture, Denmark

 

About SUSTAINORDIC and Nordic Sustainable Construction

This article is a part of the Nordic Sustainable Construction programme, an initiative from the Nordic Council of Ministers powered by Nordic Innovation. This program is part of the Nordic Vision 2030 with the aim to place the Nordic region in a leadership position in sustainable and competitive construction and housing, while simultaneously minimizing environmental and climate impacts.

At its core, this program is designed to foster the green transition of the Nordic construction sector by generating and disseminating novel insights, instigating crucial debates, establishing networks, workshops, and showcasing best practices. Moreover, it aims to facilitate the harmonization of Nordic regulations concerning buildings' climate impact.