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In an era of unprecedented ecological challenges and systemic urban transformation, the concept of degrowth has emerged as a critical paradigm for reimagining spatial planning and urban development (Kallis et al., 2018). Traditional urban planning models, fundamentally rooted in continuous economic expansion and resource extraction, have increasingly demonstrated their limitations in addressing contemporary environmental and social challenges (Latouche, 2009). Degrowth challenges the conventional growth-oriented economic models that have historically dominated urban development strategies, proposing instead a radical reimagining of spatial organization that prioritizes ecological sustainability, social justice, and human well-being (D'Alisa et al., 2014).
The conventional urban planning framework has long been predicated on continuous expansion, resource extraction, and economic growth as primary indicators of progress (Kallis, 2011). However, mounting evidence suggests that this approach is fundamentally unsustainable, contributing to ecological degradation, social inequality, and climate crisis (Escobar, 2015). Degrowth offers a critical alternative, advocating for a deliberate reduction in material and energy consumption while simultaneously enhancing quality of life and environmental resilience (Schneider et al., 2010). Researchers like Escobar (2015) and Kallis (2011) argue that degrowth represents a fundamental epistemological shift, challenging the underlying assumptions of urban development that prioritize economic expansion over environmental integrity. This perspective suggests a transformative approach to spatial planning that integrates ecological constraints with social needs.
Viewed through the degrowth lens, spatial planning represents a paradigmatic shift from quantitative expansion to qualitative transformation. This approach emphasizes local autonomy, circular economies, and regenerative design principles that prioritize ecological integrity and social well-being over mere economic metrics (Demaria et al., 2013). Researchers like Cattaneo and Gavaldà (2010) argue that degrowth is not merely a theoretical concept but a practical framework for reimagining urban and regional development.
Empirical studies have begun to explore the practical implications of degrowth in spatial planning. According to research, demonstrates how alternative urban configurations can reduce resource consumption while enhancing community resilience. Similarly, Asara et al. (2015) highlight the potential of degrowth to create more democratic and ecologically sensitive spatial arrangements that challenge traditional top-down planning approaches.
The intersection of degrowth and spatial planning raises critical questions about urban governance, resource allocation, and social organization. As Castoriadis (1991) suggests, this approach requires a fundamental reimagining of societal structures and collective imagination. It challenges planners and policymakers to develop innovative strategies that move beyond growth-centric models toward more holistic, sustainable urban ecosystems.
References
Acosta, A. (2016) ‘Post-extractivism and degrowth’, Journal of Political Ecology.
Asara, V., Kallis, G., Profumi, E. and Martínez-Alier, J. (2015) ‘Socially sustainable degrowth as a social-ecological transformation’, Sustainability Science.
Cattaneo, C. and Gavaldà, M. (2010) ‘The experience of rurban squats in Collserola, Barcelona’, Ecological Economics.
Castoriadis, C. (1991) Philosophy, politics, autonomy: Essays in political philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
D'Alisa, G., Demaria, F. and Kallis, G. (2014) Degrowth: A vocabulary for a new era.
Demaria, F. and Latouche, S. (2019) ‘Degrowth theory and practice’, Ecological Economics.
Demaria, F., Schneider, F., Sekulova, F. and Martínez-Alier, J. (2013) ‘What is degrowth? From an activist slogan to a social movement’, Environmental Values.
Escobar, A. (2015) ‘Degrowth, postdevelopment, and transitions: A preliminary conversation’, Sustainability Science.
Kallis, G. (2011) ‘In defence of degrowth’, Ecological Economics.
Kallis, G., Demaria, F. and D'Alisa, G. (2018) ‘Research on degrowth’, Annual Review of Environment and Resources.
Latouche, S. (2009) Farewell to growth. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Martínez-Alier, J. (2012) ‘Environmental justice and economic degrowth: An alliance between two movements’, Capitalism Nature Socialism.
Schneider, F., Kallis, G. and Martínez-Alier, J. (2010) ‘Crisis or opportunity? Economic degrowth for social equity and ecological sustainability’, Journal of Cleaner Production.
| Keywords | Degrowth; alternatives; spatial planning; critique of growth; postgrowth |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
