Lecture abstract: Polarisation, antagonisms, and populist rhetoric increasingly often characterise urban planning processes, even though planning theorists have developed advanced methods of consensus building in planning during recent decades. In this lecture, Dr. Mattila presents some recent North American and European examples of populist attacks on such urban planning processes that aim to advance environmental sustainability and social justice. She will address how contemporary planning theory helps – or fails to help – planners as they try to manage the challenge of populism, polarisation, and antagonism in planning.

About the speaker: Hanna Mattila works as a Research Director of Urban Studies at the University of Turku. Her research interests cover urban planning and design, planning theory, ethical and aesthetic dimensions of planning, and planning systems. Hanna has previously worked, e.g., as an Associate Professor (urban design) at Aalborg University, DK, Visiting Professor/Associate Professor (human geography) at the University of Minnesota, US, and Senior University Lecturer at Aalto University, FI. Hanna also has experience working with regional planning and development in practice.

Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Time: 10:35 – 12:00 (GMT)

On-site Location: Sauðafell (3rd floor), LbhÍ Keldnaholt, Árleynir 22, 112 Reykjavík

Online Link: Join live via Microsoft Teams by clicking this link.

Language: The lecture and discussions will be conducted in English.

Admission: The event is free of charge and open to all students, faculty members, and anyone interested in planning.

Public lecture organised by the Planning Programme at LbhÍ as part of the Planning Theory course.

Speaker: Hanna Mattila, Dr.Sc. (Tech.), Research Director at the Turku Urban Research Programme, University of Turku, Finland.