Planning grants for sustainable urban development
Three groups will receive support for continued planning of their research proposals for Mistra’s major investment in tomorrow’s urban environments – Urban Futures. Seven proposals – all of very high quality – were received for this call for a world-class center for sustainable urban development.
In May, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (Mistra) invited universities and colleges to submit proposals for a new large-scale interdisciplinary center on sustainable urban development. The center must work in collaboration with Swedish cities and other investors, including international partners. “Urbanization is a powerful force in the world, and cities are fantastic living environments. But it is time for a new approach and further development of cities environmentally, technically socially, etc. New ways of being and innovations are required for sustainable urban development,” says Ola Engelmark, Mistra’s Executive Director.The intention is to create a large world-class research center. The basic theme of the intiative is: Rethinking sustainable urban development in an era of globalization, resource constraints and climate change.
Plans are to launch the future Mistra Center for Urban Futures in January 2010. The level of financing can be up to 15 million Swedish Crowns for the first two years. Two additional four-year periods may be financed.
Mistra has selected three of the seven applicants to proceed with their proposals.
In preparation for a full-scale proposal process, Mistra has assembled an international group of experts who will provide advice and support to the applicants. The first meeting between Mistra’s expert group and the applicant groups took place in connection with the 4th UN World Urban Forum, a UN Habitat conference in China November 3rd through 6th. The three applicant groups were presented during a special session of the conference. Their ideas were discussed and contacts were made.
The three applicant groups are:
- The Gothenburg Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Urban Futures from Chalmers University of Technology and Gothenburg University,
- An International Centre for Urban Transformation from the Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University, and
- Urban Transformation for a Sustainable Future from Lund University.
The focus of the proposal from Gothenburg was:
- Sustainable urban processes and land use,
- Socioeconomic and cultural adaptation and change, and
- Managing complex urban contexts and urban management systems.
The following areas are central in the Stockholm proposal:
- Ecosystems and infrastructure,
- Consumer and producer behavior, and
- Management systems and institutions.
The proposal from Lund identified the following as central research areas:
- Driving forces and change,
- High quality urban environments and lifestyles, and
- Sustainable urban systems.
All of the proposals build upon close collaboration between research groups, cities and the construction industry. In addition, all involve international collaboration.
For more information contact:
Clas-Uno Frykholm
Executive Director (Acting)
Email: clas-uno.frykholm@mistra.org
Phone: +46 8 791 10 22
Cell: +46 70 732 30 02
