Urban sustainability, sustainably urban? The importance of interlocked markets to (un)sustainable outcomes in Stockholm and beyond.

Against the background of possible systematic differences in levels of productivity and income across the urban hierarchy, the relative importance of income and peer effects on consumption decisions are assessed.

In promoting sustainable consumption, policy tends to assume homogenous patterns across the national territory. However, consumption levels are typically influenced by level of (disposable) income and the existence of peer pressures, factors that may vary by setting or location. If so, one may suspect that processes of spatial sorting are at work. Against the background of possible systematic differences in levels of productivity and income across the urban hierarchy, the relative importance of income and peer effects on consumption decisions are to be assessed.

Funded by Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, 4,1 MSEK, 2018-2022

Project leader Professor Örjan Sjöberg – with researchers Martin Korpi, Marijane Luistro Jonsson, Ranjula Bali Swain, Susanne Sweet with the support of Lin Lerpold and Lars-Gunnar Mattsson.