Research questions:  How can the Aspvik model be useful for the traditionally functioning water and sewage industry? What are the main challenges for regime actors to implement systems similar to those derived from the Aspvik model? Purpose: The purpose of the study is two-fold. Firstly, we intend to investigate system development and entrepreneurship from below in a local project in the water and sewage industry and its business model. Secondly, the study aims to provide an understanding of how the organization and the development process differ between the local Aspvik project and the existing regime within the water and sewage industry. Method: The study was of a qualitative nature based on an abductive approach. The theoretical framework was based on scientific articles and publications as well as books. The empirical data collection consisted of the collection of primary and secondary data, of which primary data was obtained through a total of 13 semi-structured interviews and secondary data via web pages, public print (laws and regulations) and other sources. A thematic analysis was performed based on the theoretical framework and the empirical data. Conclusion: The Aspvik model can generate usefulness as it contributes by providing a businesslike approach with transparency and visualization of what opportunities the industry actors have and what it may cost. With transparency, the current problems and bottlenecks in the industry became more evident. There are major environmental benefits in increasing the rate of development of the municipal water and sewage grid. It is mainly the Water Services Act, section 6 in particular, which is the main challenge for achieving a more efficient expansion of the water and sewage grid, both in terms of resources and time. It may require organizational change at the regime level, this in order to handle several projects simultaneously, or to provide increased support for private initiatives similar to the Aspvik project. / Problemställning: Hur kan Aspviksmodellen generera nytta för den traditionellt fungerande VA-branschen? Vilka är de huvudsakliga utmaningarna för regimaktörer att implementera system liknande det som härrör från Aspviksmodellen? Syfte: Studiens syfte är tvådelat. För det första ämnar vi undersöka systemuppbyggnad och entreprenörskap från grunden i ett lokalt VA- projekt och dess affärsmodell. För det andra syftar studien till att ge förståelse för hur organisationen och VA-utbyggnadsprocessen skiljer sig mellan det lokala VA-projektet och den befintliga regimen. Metod: Studien var av kvalitativ karaktär med utgångspunkt i en abduktiv ansats. Den teoretiska referensramen var baserad på vetenskapliga publikationer och böcker samt studentlitteratur. Den empiriska datainsamlingen utgjordes av insamling av primära och sekundära data, varav primärdata erhållits genom totalt 13 semistrukturerade intervjuer och sekundärdata via webbsidor, offentligt tryck (lagar och förordningar) och övriga källor. Utifrån den teoretiska referensramen och den empiriska data genomfördes en tematisk analys. Slutsats: Aspviksmodellen kan generera nytta då den bidrar med att tillhandahålla en affärsmässig strategi med ökad transparens och visualisering över vilka möjligheter branschaktörer har och vad det kan kosta. Med transparens blev rådande problem och flaskhalsar i branschen mer tydliga. Det finns stora miljömässiga fördelar med att öka utbyggnadstakten av det kommunala VA-nätet. Från regimens synvinkel är det huvudsakligen vattentjänstlagen i sig, 6 § i synnerhet som utgör en utmaning mot en effektivare utbyggnad av VA-nätet, både ekonomiskt och tidsmässigt. För att hantera det krävs någon organisatorisk förändring på regimnivå för att kunna hantera flera projekt samtidigt, alternativt att från regimens sida ge ett ökat stöd till privata initiativ i samma slag som Aspviksprojektet.

This study has been conducted on behalf of Vectura Consulting AB with the purpose to examine how different actors perceive the dimensions of sustainability and sustainable construction. The purpose is also to provide an understanding of existing barriers and opportunities for sustainable construction within the industry and exemplify with different directions for the actors in order to develop sustainability. The study has approach the research problem by using systems theory, developed by Checkland, to identify the relevant system. Other systems theories has been used as an theoretical framework in order to identify barriers and opportunities, which in this study are based on Hughes’s theory about reverse salients and salients. Interviews with a selection of different actors in the industry and prior research have in this study served as empirics and the perspective of the systems theory defines the necessary tools to be used. The study shows that no consistency prevails regarding the definition of sustainability among the actors. Although, the environmental aspect of sustainability is prioritized by a majority of the actors oppose to social and economic aspects. Furthermore, for some of the actors economy is governing while for others it is decisive. Sustainable construction is characterized by a long-term parallel process with incentives such as branding, recruiting, and optimized operations. Moreover, the study indicates a willingness among the actors to define the concept of sustainability in order to achieve an industry wide definition. Such a definition would be of benefit for simplifying procurement and developing sustainable construction. The study identified two barriers and two opportunities. The actors agrees on that the procurement regulations of the Swedish infrastructure authority “Trafikverket” in combination with contracts defined by multiple products, and the objectives of Trafikverket,  are the two main barriers for holding back the development of sustainability in the industry. However, Trafikverket’s goal to increase the number of contracts based on function is seen as an opportunity as it enables creativity and innovation and a possible side effect of sustainable development. In addition, side bids from different actors are considered as a driver that will accelerate Trafikverket’s work regarding sustainability and especially sustainable construction. Finally, the authors give examples of directions for the industry to enhance sustainable construction and by doing so the authors connect vision with practice.