Docentföreläsning i miljövetenskap med Charlotta Faith‑Ell

Docentföreläsningen ges på engelska och kommer att hållas som hybridföreläsning och kan följas i sal Q 221 i Östersund, eller via Zoom: https://miun-se.zoom.us/j/6678981298

Docentföreläsningens titel: We are living in a lab: Assessing the impact of environmental policy and practice

Land-use and infrastructure planning plays a fundamental role in shaping patterns of development, resource use and environmental change. Decisions about where and how infrastructure is developed influence urban growth, regional connectivity, ecosystem integrity and the long-term sustainability of landscapes. At the same time, such decisions can generate significant environmental pressures, including greenhouse gas emissions, habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss. As societies confront the interconnected challenges of climate change, rapid urbanisation and the pursuit of sustainable development, improving the integration of environmental considerations into planning and decision-making has become increasingly important.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) are two important policy instruments that support the pursuit of more sustainable land-use and infrastructure planning. This lecture explores both the opportunities and challenges associated with applying EIA and SEA in planning practice, including issues related to governance, institutional coordination and the integration of environmental knowledge within complex planning systems. It also reflects on the role of research and education in advancing assessment approaches that contribute to more integrated, resilient and environmentally responsible land-use and infrastructure planning.