Place‐embedded agency: Exploring knowledge–place connections for enabling plurality in governance of social–ecological systems

Research on the High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site reveals that integrating local knowledge and place-belonging can enhance inclusive governance of social-ecological systems. The study identifies five types of knowledge-place connections, which shape diverse positions on resource management. These connections influence interactions between actors inside and outside formal decision-making processes, highlighting the concept of 'place-embedded agency.' Recognizing this agency can help overcome tensions and promote plurality in governance, fostering more inclusive and effective management strategies.

Hakkarainen, V., Soini, K., Dessein, J., & Raymond, Christopher M. (2022). Place‐embedded agency: Exploring knowledge–place connections for enabling plurality in governance of social–ecological systems. People and Nature, 4(5), 1141–1158. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10365