Translating a wicked problem:A strategic planning approach to rural shrinkage in Denmark

AbstractIn a time of increasing globalisation and urbanisation, shrinking peripheral rural areas have become a truly wicked planning problem in many European countries. Although a problem can be easily perceived and measured by various indicators, the precise definition of the problem is problematic. Based on the case of a Danish planning process which was carried out in collaboration with a charitable trust, this paper discusses an emerging strategic planning approach at the municipal level. We use the concept of wicked problems, strategic planning theory and Actor-Network-Theory to study a collaborative, place-based and project-oriented process directed at concrete physical outcomes. We frame strategic planning as a translation process where the interaction between human and non-human actors translates a unique, complex and contested situation into an innovated situation. We find that local physical projects played a major role in this process. First, they acted as a vehicle that assembled planners, politicians and stakeholders to work towards strategic visions across multiple scales. Second and consequently, they stimulated considerable second and third order effects in the form of shared problem-understandings, increased social capital, and follow-up projects initiated beyond the actual planning process. We conclude that local physical projects, when conceived in a collaborative and strategic manner, can contribute to sustainable adaptation to rural shrinkage

There is more to it than meets the eye: Strategic design in the context of rural decline

Based on a Danish case, this paper investigates how strategic urban and landscape design can contribute to positive developments in rural areas that are challenged by population decline. From 2007–2012, the municipality of Bornholm conducted a strategic planning process, which aimed to enhance quality of life by strengthening place-based qualities and potential through local physical projects. Guided by actor-network theory (ANT) we analyse the socio-material effects of the new assemblages of people and things around the design interventions that were made. We find that strategic spatial projects can contribute considerably to quality of life in declining rural areas. From a wider strategic perspective, they can also define new spatial development perspectives rooted in place-based resources and potential. Methodologically, ANT offers a pertinent framework for studying the long-term performance of strategic spatial projects and how design actions can continue to gather new actors, spark new initiatives and, thereby, fuel repercussive effects

Reconfiguring welfare landscapes: A spatial typology

[EN] The post-war Danish social housing estates were a cornerstone in the construction of the Danish welfare society. Green open spaces played a central role in creating a framework for “the good life” in the many new social housing estates, which is why we propose to call them welfare landscapes. Today, these welfare landscapes are facing new challenges such as social segregation, extreme rainfall caused by climate change and changing uses. Therefore, they are increasingly being transformed, yet often with little or no interest for their existing spatial qualities. The welfare landscapes are insufficiently researched and knowledge about their spatial characteristics needs to be developed and communicated to preserve their inherited spatial qualities and to use these qualities as a resource for developing contemporary welfare landscapes. This paper aims to contribute to understanding the spatial characteristics and qualities of Danish welfare landscapes in order to create a better basis for their reconfiguration. Based on typo-morphological case studies of three social housing areas in the metropolitan area of Copenhagen this paper proposes a preliminary spatial typology of welfare landscapes from the small scale of the individual green space to the territorial scale. This typology will provide a basis to explore possible future development scenarios for Danish welfare landscapes through research-by-design.The studies carried out as part of this paper relates to A. Jessen’s ongoing PhD project titled Materialising Welfare Landscapes. The PhD is part of the larger research project Reconfiguring Welfare Landscapes at the University of Copenhagen, Section for Landscape Architecture and Planning, funded by the Danish Council for Independent Research. More about the Reconfiguring Welfare Landscapes research project: http://ign.ku.dk/english/research/landscapearchitecture-planning/landscape-architectureurbanism/research-project-1/Jessen, A.; Tietjen, A. (2018). Reconfiguring welfare landscapes: A spatial typology. En 24th ISUF International Conference. Book of Papers. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1673-1683. https://doi.org/10.4995/ISUF2017.2017.5963OCS1673168