Norm critical perspectives: applications in Swedish spatial planning

Purpose and goal:

The project´s objective was to compile and disseminate knowledge and experiences of applying norm-critical perspectives in Swedish spatial planning with a focus on urban planning. The goal was achieved by summarizing this in a knowledge overview where several key themes were identified: design of public space, knowledge enhancement, development / further development of work process / method, new routine / service within existing activities, mapping of activities, attitude influence of public, improved collaboration between actors and dissemination of project information.

Expected results and effects:

The knowledge overview is based on extensive searches where a selection of relevant examples (both ongoing and completed) have been identified, conducted by a variety of public as well as private actors. The examples express, as far as possible, a norm-critical perspective, are varied in terms of both content and current grounds for discrimination, and are documented.

The results are presented in a report and disseminated via communication activities and are expected to be used in university teaching that enables dissemination within relevant target groups. Approach and implementation:

The analysis has focused on the type of measures / initiatives, theoretical / conceptual framing, approaches / methods, problem formulations, target groups, geographical context and results of the applied initiatives. Explicit norm-critical theoretical connection has not been a selection requirement, but on the other hand that such perspectives can be read from the content; the connection to planning can therefore be both direct and indirect.

The analysis has been carried out using a matrix of key issues, and thereby patterns and themes in the material have been identified.