New research school about sustainable water usage and societal planning
Erik Hysing and Monika Berg, affiliated with CESSS, were part of a successful application to Formas for 36.8 million SEK dedicated to starting a cross-disciplinary research school. The main applicant was Ida Andersson, associate professor in Human Geography at Örebro University. The research will investigate the conflicts and synergies that arise between sustainable planning and sustainable water usage.
The new research school, titled “Water challenges in sustainable planning and the built environment” (WATCH), is a collaboration between Örebro University and Karlstad University that will aim to identify solutions to problems with sustainable water consumption and promote successful societal adaptation. Over a period of five years, the project will finance seven new doctoral students. Other collaborative partners include Örebro municipality, Karlstad municipality, Region Örebro County, Region Karlstad County, Svenskt Vatten, and The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB).
Doctoral projects will focus on three main research areas: drinking water supply, rainwater and sewage systems, as well as flood prevention and crisis preparedness. Examples of doctoral projects include the development of sustainable water infrastructure, the relationship between water systems, forestry, and agriculture, as well as how to address the conflict between sustainable water usage and sustainable planning.