Landfutures will be a hub for research into profound societal changes in the way we use nature and land.

Landfutures is designed based on the framework "the three spheres of transformation" (O'Brien and Sygna 2013), where both practical, political and personal dimensions of change are seen in context. The four research areas in Landfutures is designed to work holistically with sustainable land use.

Research principle

  • We will involve regional and local spatial planning stakeholders in identifying challenges and designing solutions for sustainable land use, including state administrators, county governments, municipalities, property developers, renewable energy producers, tourism stakeholders, landowners and residents.

  • We will see the major challenges and societal goals associated with sustainable land use in context. This includes preserving biodiversity, halting climate change, working towards sustainable harvesting of natural resources, and ensuring human welfare.

  • We will work from a recognition of the need for care in the relationship between humans and nature, and between humans, and explore how relational understandings of care can contribute to sustainable land use.

  • We will draw attention to the underlying causes of unsustainable land use and support fundamental changes in the practical, political and personal aspects of land use – including the way we understand land use and how we plan and implement land use changes.