Strategies for Sustainable Transition

Abstract

This article explores the role of technology-driven approaches in facilitating sustainable transitions in urban development. Using the case of Hammarby Sjöstad in Stockholm, we analyze the implementation of eleven sustainable technologies and examine their impact on the broader transition process. Existing literature often frames sustainability transitions in terms of social, technical, or socio-technical approaches. Our findings suggest that a successful technical innovation approach constitutes a well-crafted strategy for managing the supply and demand sides of innovation throughout the extended phases of the innovation journey. Technological advances alone are insufficient: successful transitions also require active engagement from the demand side, including market actors, institutional stakeholders, and consumers, at specific stages. Our study highlights the interaction between the supply side (push), which drives technological innovation, and the demand side (pull), which determines adoption, acceptance, and long-term viability. We identify three recurring mechanisms—infrastructural compatibility, demand-side catalysts, and institutional resistance—that explain when and why technology-driven approaches succeed or fail. The findings emphasize the need to align new technologies with broader systems, ensuring they are not only technically feasible but also institutionally supported and socially desirable. We propose a more nuanced and comprehensive perspective than that of prior transition research, arguing that technological, social, and socio-technical approaches all play essential roles throughout the transition process. In addition, we contribute to innovation policy and transition management research by demonstrating how the interaction between supply and demand influences the outcomes of sustainability initiatives. Also, we respond to calls for greater attention to the demand side of innovation, offering insights that can inform policymakers and technology developers working toward sustainable change. Our research provides a strategic framework for understanding the conditions under which technology-driven transitions can succeed in practice.