Title: Technological innovation and transformation perspectives in environmental futures studies for transport and mobility

Authors: Katarina Larsen, Mattias Hojer

Addresses: Department of Urban Planning and Environment, KTH – The Royal Institute of Technology, Drottning Kristinasv. 30, Stockholm 100 44, Sweden. ' Department of Urban Planning and Environment, KTH – The Royal Institute of Technology, Drottning Kristinasv. 30, Stockholm 100 44, Sweden

Abstract: Futures studies such as technology foresight and backcasting are concerned with changes in society and technological transformation in a long-term perspective, but are also recognising the importance of today|s choices in technology on future modes of production and consumption. Strategic planning and Technology Assessment (TA) are two areas where futures studies are used to explore alternative future scenarios in order to support decision-making processes. Hence, it is of importance to get a thorough understanding of assumptions made about environmental effects from new technology and drivers for change in futures studies. In this paper technological innovation and transformation perspectives in environmental futures studies are analysed. The aim is to explore the different roles of technology change in the development towards more environmentally sustainable transport in the future.

Keywords: sustainability; transport; mobility; constructive technology assessment; CTA; technology assessment; TA: scenarios; environment; futures studies; foresight; modernisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFIP.2007.011437

International Journal of Foresight and Innovation Policy, 2007 Vol.3 No.1, pp.95 - 115

Published online: 30 Nov 2006 *

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