A Paradigm Shift in Sustainable City Development? -A Case Study of Curitiba and Malmö, and the Interaction Between Citizens and Institutions

Sammanfattning: Title:A Paradigm Shift in Sustainable City Development? - A Case Study of Curitiba and Malmö, and the Interaction Between Citizens and Institutions. Seminar date: 2014-05-23. Course: FEKN90 Masters Thesis in Science and Business Administration, 30 ECTS. Authors: Märta Lagergren and Sandra Olsson. Supervisor: Matts Kärreman. Key Words: Sustainability, Sustainable City Development, Citizen Integration, Value Configuration, Malmö, Curitiba. Purpose: Understand what role the interaction between citizens and institutions in sustainable cities plays and how value is created in sustainable city development. Methodology: We have used a qualitative approach. We have conducted a multiple case study with semi-structured in-depth interviews and semi-structured focus group interviews. Theory: The theory addresses the perspective of citizens and institutions in sustainable city development. Also, we add theory to address value creation in sustainable development. Empirical foundation: The focus group interviews and in-depth interviews were conducted on institutions and citizens in the sustainable cities Curitiba in Brazil and Malmö in Sweden. Conclusion: Findings indicate a need of change in the value configuration of sustainable city development, indicating a potential paradigm shift. We have developed a model, as a means to present a new process for value creation within sustainable cities to facilitate for institutions and citizens.