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Johan Niskanen

Assistant Professor, Docent

I study how the transition towards a sustainable society takes shape in practice, with a focus on urban and regional planning, energy and the circular economy. I am Programme Director of the master’s programme Strategic Urban and Regional Planning.

Research on energy transitions, planning and circular economy

Technological solutions such as energy-efficient buildings, wind power, and circular economic models are often presented as key responses to climate and sustainability challenges. However, how these solutions work in practice, the conflicts they generate, and how responsibilities are distributed among societal actors remain unclear.

My research takes an interdisciplinary approach grounded in sociotechnical systems, with a particular focus on value conflicts and the interaction between technical systems, political institutions and social actors in sustainability transitions.

I have studied the development and mainstreaming of passive houses in Sweden, local resistance and planning challenges related to wind power, as well as conflicts and practices within the circular economy, including repair, reuse and renovation. In addition, I have conducted research on small-scale biogas production and transport infrastructure.

Methodologically, I work with a combination of qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews, document and discourse analysis, focus groups and workshops, often within larger interdisciplinary research projects.

Teaching urban and regional planning and sustainable development

I am Programme Director of the master’s programme Strategic Urban and Regional Planning and have extensive experience in teaching and course coordination at both undergraduate and master’s levels in urban planning, environmental science and sustainable development.

My teaching emphasizes critical and analytical perspectives on technology, planning and environmental issues, and I view teaching and research as closely integrated parts of my academic work. I have previous experience of working as a technical consultant and managing energy-related projects in the private and public sectors.

Research project

En grupp byggnader som ligger bredvid varandra.

Strategic governance through technical requirements in urban development: The potential of land allocation for sustainable innovation

How can municipalities use their land ownership as a powerful tool to drive the transition towards more sustainable construction? This project explores the potential of land allocation as a strategic governance instrument.

Circular spatial planning for transformative change through reuse and renovation PLAN-C

The PLAN-C project focuses on developing governance and planning for circular construction. Its aim is to optimise resource use and reduce emissions in the building and property sector.
Mobile phone repair

Repair in the Circular Economy

This project aims to analyze how different repair practices can contribute to a better understanding of circular economies and contribute to a critical discussion on repair and maintenance in society and the development of sustainable economies.

Teaching

I am Programme Director of the master’s programme Strategic Urban and Regional Planning, where I also teach.
I also teach on the bachelor's programme in Urban and Regional Planning.
View of Linköping city

Strategic Urban and Regional Planning, Master's Programme, 120 credits

Strategic urban and regional planning is one of the most powerful local instruments to (re)shape long-term urban and regional development and create sustainable cities and regions of tomorrow.

Course I teach

  • Planning and Public Administration

Education language in this programme is Swedish

Bachelor's programme in Urban and Regional Planning,

180 credits

In the Urban and Regional Planning programme, you will learn how to address a range of issues and challenges related to the development of our living environments.

You can work with planning residential areas, public transport and green spaces to help create the communities of the future.

Read more about the programme

Course I teach

  • Samhällsplaneringens processer (The Processes of Urban and Spatial Planning)

Organisation

A solar panel on top of a roof in the snow.

STRIPE

STRIPE stands for Socio-technical research of infrastructures, politics and the environment. It gathers researchers with an interest in the political and environmental dimensions of infrastructures such as energy, transport and waste.
Contractors in silhouette

Technology and Social Change (TEMAT)

So much of our lives depend on technology. The development and use of technology creates possibilities as well as social, ethical and political dilemmas. That’s what we study at Tema T – Technology and Social Change.