Laajasalo Nature Visions

Led by Postdoctoral Researcher Elif E. Öztekin and Assistant Professor Elisa Lähde  

Timeframe: April 2023 – December 2025  

Cities and urban lifestyles have been identified as key focal points for implementing sustainability strategies and actions. With more than half of the world's population residing in cities, it is evident that many urban areas are built on carbon-dependent infrastructures and systems, promoting the excessive consumption of material, energy, and natural resources. While cities are often held responsible for exacerbating climate crises, they are also recognized as potential catalysts for driving sustainability changes. 

The latest research emphasizes the urgent need to establish new and more harmonious relationships with Earth systems and other living beings in order to create regenerative, caring, and peaceful habitats on our planet. This research engages with urban stakeholders and explores various future scenarios in which human-nature interactions in Helsinki urban area have transitioned towards sustainable, participatory, and resilient states. 

Cities have evolved into critical battlegrounds for addressing the complex challenges and tensions inherent in sustainability transformations, as well as for testing out systemic innovations and novel governance mechanisms. To this end, the research undertakes an experimental case study in the municipal district of Laajasalo-Kruunuvuorenranta in Helsinki, utilizing action research methodology and adopting transdisciplinary approach. The study involves a series of activities and workshops conducted in parallel for local residents and city experts, culminating in a co-creation activity aimed at fostering collaboration between these groups. The overarching goal of this research project is two-fold: to capacitate local societies with ecoliteracy and to facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration and dialogue in the planning, design, management and care of future urban natural spaces. 

Concepts and Keywords: Urban Transformations and Sustainability Transitions, Socioecological systems, Human-nature relationship, participatory tools and methods, co-creation 

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