Wiktoria Glad

Low-Energy Buildings – Scientific Trends and Developments

In this book, energy consumption in the household sector is examined. Barriers to and enablers of energy efficiency in households in relation to governmental policy formulation, the implementation and appropriation of technology are discussed. This represents a shift away from the conventional focus on energy supply toward a focus on energy use in everyday life. This shift is urgently needed, since households, policy makers, housing companies, and researchers need deeper knowledge of how energy facilitates necessary functions in peoples daily lives. New paths must be developed to smart and climate-friendly energy use that continue to facilitate those lives. This book discusses the existing opportunities to improve energy efficiency, by starting to implement existing knowledge as well as energy efficient technology and solutions.

Spaces for waste: everyday recycling and sociospatial relationships

ABSTRACT Recycling of household waste has been proposed on different geographical levels as the key to sustainable resource management. This paper explores the sociospatial relationships of a waste management system at local level in Sweden. In this system, all waste was considered recyclable and tenants were expected to adopt certain recycling practices, although some prerequisites, such as language skills, were lacking. Theoretical approaches from geographies of power and surveillance studies are combined to analyse how spaces for waste at recycling stations were transformed and imbued with political claims of sustainability. The analyses are based on a detailed case study conducted in a neighbourhood of blocks of flats, with a focus on the design and use of recycling stations. In both their design and use, authority strategies were adopted to legitimise actions and influence recycling practices. Control measures were eventually taken and technologies were installed to restrict improper practices. Practices of discrimination were identified together with how recycling excluded some people from participating in the scheme. By using another power strategy, i.e. seduction, it was possible to reach and include more tenants.