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Photo of Johan Niskanen

Johan Niskanen

Assistant Professor, Docent

I study how the transition towards a sustainable society takes shape in practice, with a focus on urban and regional planning, energy and the circular economy. I am Programme Director of the master’s programme Strategic Urban and Regional Planning.

Research on energy transitions, planning and circular economy

Technological solutions such as energy-efficient buildings, wind power, and circular economic models are often presented as key responses to climate and sustainability challenges. However, how these solutions work in practice, the conflicts they generate, and how responsibilities are distributed among societal actors remain unclear.

My research takes an interdisciplinary approach grounded in sociotechnical systems, with a particular focus on value conflicts and the interaction between technical systems, political institutions and social actors in sustainability transitions.

I have studied the development and mainstreaming of passive houses in Sweden, local resistance and planning challenges related to wind power, as well as conflicts and practices within the circular economy, including repair, reuse and renovation. In addition, I have conducted research on small-scale biogas production and transport infrastructure.

Methodologically, I work with a combination of qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews, document and discourse analysis, focus groups and workshops, often within larger interdisciplinary research projects.

Teaching urban and regional planning and sustainable development

I am Programme Director of the master’s programme Strategic Urban and Regional Planning and have extensive experience in teaching and course coordination at both undergraduate and master’s levels in urban planning, environmental science and sustainable development.

My teaching emphasizes critical and analytical perspectives on technology, planning and environmental issues, and I view teaching and research as closely integrated parts of my academic work. I have previous experience of working as a technical consultant and managing energy-related projects in the private and public sectors.

Publications

2026

Johan Niskanen, Jonas Anshelm (2026) Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space (Article in journal)
Johan Niskanen, Jonas Anshelm (2026) Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space (Article in journal)

2025

Amelia Mutter, Johan Niskanen, Nancy Brett, Darcy Parks, Anna Küller, Fredrik Envall (2025) Stories of transforming cities, stories from the bike - a festschrift for Harald Rohracher, p. 141-155 (Chapter in book)

2024

Simon Haikola, Jonas Anshelm, Johan Niskanen (2024) Environmental Challenges, Vol. 16, Article 100987 (Article in journal)
Johan Niskanen, Simon Haikola, Dick Magnusson, Jonas Anshelm (2024) Renewable & sustainable energy reviews, Vol. 206, Article 114881 (Article in journal)
Johan Niskanen, Jonas Anshelm, Simon Haikola (2024) Political Geography, Vol. 108, Article 103017 (Article in journal)

2023

Johan Niskanen, Jonas Anshelm, Simon Haikola (2023) Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, Vol. 116, Article 103611 (Article in journal)
Johan Niskanen, Duncan McLaren (2023) Circular Economy and Sustainability, Vol. 3, p. 1677-1701 (Article in journal)

2022

Johan Niskanen, Harald Rohracher (2022) Technological forecasting & social change, Vol. 179, Article 121630 (Article in journal)
Johan Niskanen, Harald Rohracher (2022) Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, Vol. 24, p. 612-624 (Article in journal)

2021

Johan Niskanen, Duncan McLaren, Jonas Anshelm (2021) Sustainability, Vol. 13, Article 2316 (Article in journal)
Johan Niskanen, Dick Magnusson (2021) Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 279, Article 123235 (Article in journal)

2020

Duncan McLaren, Johan Niskanen, Jonas Anshelm (2020) Resources, Conservation and Recycling: X, Vol. 8, Article 100046 (Article in journal)
Johan Niskanen, Harald Rohracher (2020) Energy Research & Social Science, Vol. 70, Article 101643 (Article in journal)
Johan Niskanen, Jonas Anshelm, Duncan McLaren (2020) Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 261, Article 121117 (Article in journal)

2018

Johan Niskanen (2018)

Research project

Teaching

I am Programme Director of the master’s programme Strategic Urban and Regional Planning, where I also teach.
I also teach on the bachelor's programme in Urban and Regional Planning.

Education language in this programme is Swedish

Bachelor's programme in Urban and Regional Planning,

180 credits

In the Urban and Regional Planning programme, you will learn how to address a range of issues and challenges related to the development of our living environments.

You can work with planning residential areas, public transport and green spaces to help create the communities of the future.

Read more about the programme

Course I teach

  • Samhällsplaneringens processer (The Processes of Urban and Spatial Planning)

Organisation