Conflicts in transformation

In recent years, the socio-ecological transition toward a post-fossil-fuel society has faced growing resistance in many places. First, geopolitical upheavals, such as the wars in Ukraine and Iran, have pushed efforts toward climate protection and the sustainable use of resources into the background.  Second, social and spatial inequalities are becoming apparent in the implementation of the energy, heating, and transportation transitions, from which people benefit or are affected to varying degrees. Third, there is a noticeable strengthening of political positions that reject socio-ecological transformations or even fundamentally question the necessity of measures for greater sustainability. Socio-ecological transformations are not a foregone conclusion but must be more precisely defined in terms of their political negotiations, contradictions, conflicts, and spatial and temporal differences. The lecture series approaches the topic of transformation conflicts through the following questions: The management of water and energy in transformation processes presents science, politics and planning with complex challenges that affect various sectors and different spatial levels. The three German lignite regions offer current examples and impetus for further development in other regions.

The lecture series, organised by three universities located in these regions and the BBSR’s Competence Centre for Regional Development in Cottbus, draws on a variety of practical and scientific experiences in the fields of ‘energy’ and ‘water’ from different contexts. Speakers from various regions, scientific disciplines and practical fields will give presentations. The lecture series serves to promote networking not only between universities and research institutions in the regions and federal departmental research, but also exchange between science and practice.

1. What are the current lines of conflict in debates surrounding socio-ecological transformations? Which sectors, technologies, and spatial contexts are the subject of particularly heated debate? What fundamental political positions are articulated in transformation conflicts?
2. How do conflicts surrounding socio-ecological transformations manifest in spatial planning and development? How contentious is the transformation process in urban and rural areas, as well as in regions undergoing structural change both domestically and abroad? What differing visions of urban and regional development are being negotiated in this context?
3. How can a productive approach to transformation conflicts be developed? What options exist for defusing conflicts and contributing to their resolution? How can acceptance of socio-ecological transformations be increased? How, for example, can fake news and anti-science sentiment be countered?

The lecture series views transformation conflicts as a challenge not only for academia but also for policy and planning in cities and regions. The starting point is the three German lignite-mining regions, whose experiences can, however, provide inspiration for other areas—both for transformative scholarship and for concrete transformations on the ground. Speakers from various regions, academic disciplines, and the professional field will present on this topic. The lecture series serves to foster networking not only between universities and research institutions in the regions as well as federal departmental research, but also to facilitate exchange between academia and practice.