Petter Næss passed away on March 29, 2025, during an orienteering race on a beautiful spring day. He cherished his time in nature just as much as he loved his research. Until the very end, Petter remained active and healthy. His untimely death has come as a shock to many of us in the field of planning research and education.
Petter is remembered for his incredibly productive academic career dedicated to the challenging topic of sustainability in planning, particularly through his highly influential paper, “Urban Planning and Sustainable Development,” published in 2001. This paper is often credited as the first to address sustainable development in the context of urban planning and a significant contribution to the field.
Petter was a strong advocate for interdisciplinarity, which he considered a fundamental principle of urban planning. His most influential works include the notable book "Urban Structures Matter: Residential Location, Car Dependence, and Travel Behavior," along with several edited volumes on critical realism, eco-philosophy, and interdisciplinarity. Petter's research primarily focused on the connections between urban structure and travel behaviour, particularly in Nordic countries, though he also conducted similar studies in China and Southern Europe. He was deeply engaged with the philosophy of science and was a passionate supporter of critical realism, collaborating with Roy Bhaskar, the founder of critical realism, on several edited collections.
Petter made significant theoretical contributions regarding the ontological and epistemological foundations of planning research, exploring the possibilities and limitations of ecological modernization strategies for sustainable urban development. His critiques of urban growth and eco-modernist planning anticipated current debates on urban degrowth by nearly a decade.
Additionally, Petter was an active member of the AESOP community, especially in the Transport and Mobility Topic Group, and served as the Chair of the AESOP award committee.
In the latter part of his career, Petter served as an Emeritus Professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Norway, returning to his home country after spending many years at Aalborg University in Denmark. He trained and inspired generations of students, colleagues, and practitioners through his dedication to research and education.
Petter will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him as a mentor, colleague, and friend. He combined scientific rigour with the friendly sense of humour of an ardent environmentalist and maintained a sensitive approach while tackling problems practically. His keen curiosity and critical mind inspired many of us to strive for better futures. With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to Petter Næss. We like to remember Petter still walking through the breathtaking beauty of nature.
For AESOP,
Maria Håkansson, President AESOP 2024–26
