This thesis explores the ontologies of planning, science, and politics underlying the tunnel project at Hallandsås. Four such foundational (universal) views are identified – absolute conceptions of space, linear notions of time, binary logic and anthropocentrism. The thesis examines the subsequent re-workings of the foundational philosophies of space, time, environment, nature and the human behind the initial project in the aftermath of the environmental scandal. The basic aim of the thesis has been to argue for alternative ontologies of planning, science, and politics. In this regard, it is argued that a recasting of the foundational notions of mainstream planning, science and politics is a crucial first step. The thesis contends that perspectives based on hybrid geographies offer an alternative foundation for policy, planning and science that is closely adjusted to a more than human world. The issue of whether one can distinguish signs of a de facto shift to a hybrid geographic perspective in the post-Hallandsås tunnel project is also explored. The methodology of the study is inspired by the precepts of ANT (Actor Network Theory) of following actors in their networks, events and processes. In as much as humans and non-humans participate in the construction of the world in multiple or complex ways the thesis has tried to give voice to these different actors. As such, the study of the tunnel project follows a hybrid method, one that includes humans and non-humans. The thesis makes the case for discussing hybrid geographies as one possible alternative perspective in planning. Hybrid geographies propose a multifaceted perspective that argues for an inclusive geography and one that is adjusted to a more than human world. The experiences from the project at Hallandsås should therefore be applied to other projects and planning. In times of complex ecological and environmental problems, alternatives to mainstream planning are both desirable and required. Hybrid geographies involve issues of altering our ways of thinking, acting and being in the world, for our own good. In this regard, hybrid geographical perspectives could be a basis for alternatives to mainstream planning.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:kau-1648 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Frisk, Maria |
| Publisher | Karlstads universitet, Avdelningen för geografi och turism, Karlstad : Karlstads universitet |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Doctoral thesis, monograph, info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | Karlstad University Studies, 1403-8099 ; 2008:19 |
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