Regional utvecklingsplanering och grönstruktur : en studie av de gröna kilarna i Stockholms län

Abstract: The aim of the thesis is to analyze the role of regional development planning concerning a regional perspective of green structure and to reflect on its future role. The target group of the study is foremost practitioners but also students of regional planning and development. Three questions are examined. 1) What view concerning green structure has the regional planning body of Stockholm County Council (RTK) communicated through the years? 2) Has this view contributed to generating a common understanding concerning green structure among the actors in the county? 3) Has this common understanding been referred to by actors in discussions concerning how this green structure should develop? The empirical material consists of documents from rtk, the County Administrative Board, the municipalities of the county, a network of ngo:s, as well as interviews with representatives from the above mentioned organizations. The analysis is based on two theoretical perspectives concerning the power regional planning development can exercise; power through consensus and power in situations of dissonance. The results show that RTK for several years has communicated that the regional green structure consists of ten green wedges (kilar); Angarn-, Bogesunds-, Nacka-Värmdö-, Tyresta-, Hanveden-, Bornsjö-, Ekerö-, Görväln-, Järva- and Rösjökilen. The wedges are marked on maps in the regional development plan and in reports of green structure. The view of green structure as consisting of the green wedges was found among a majority of the studied actors; in written documents and confirmed in interviews with representatives of the organizations. A majority of the actors has adopted the vision of the green wedges. All of the interviewees also give examples of how this shared view of green structure has been referred to in discussions among actors in the county. In conclusion, the regional development planning has contributed to generating a common vision of regional green structure in the county. Thus, power through consensus has been exercised. Power in situations of dissonance has also occurred, since actors have referred to the green wedges in discussions among them concerning how the regional green structure should develop. Finally. From a regional point of view, a shared vision of regional green structure can convey a platform where actors meet, which can help the delicate work of balancing green structure and other interests in regional development planning. From an individual point of view, a shared regional vision of green structure can be helpful in implementation situations, when weighing green structure to other dimensions of planning. In Sweden of today a regional perspective of green structure is conveyed in the county of Stockholm and in Scania, but there are several other regional organizations that could work with regional green structure in the future. In the past few years the role of regional sustainable development and nature conservation has gained increased attention in national politics, a promising trend for the future.