Nils Björling

Nils Björling is a Researcher at Chalmers University of Technology within the Urban and Regional Transformation research group, focusing on developing theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches to strengthen interplay between local and regional planning practices.

His doctoral thesis "Fragile Urban Landscapes: Planning methods to open spatial lock-ins of urbanisation" (2016) introduced three conceptual tools—fragile urban landscape, urban ecologies, and key urban projects—to support urban planning in managing uneven geographical development through alternative alteration strategies, broader resource identification, and implementation-bridging mechanisms. His work emphasizes inclusive stakeholder engagement and pluralistic approaches to balance sustainable development while navigating spatial lock-ins in urbanization processes.

Research consistently integrates practical planning applications at municipal and regional levels, with conceptual frameworks designed to enhance adaptive capacity in urban transformation through ecological perspectives on resource networks and transformation mechanisms.