Sareen, Siddharth, Juhola, Sirkku, Czarnecka, Adrianna, Kekkonen, Aleksandra, Martinovska Stojcheska, Aleksandra, Slavec, Ana, Uchanska Bieniusiewicz, Anita, Rønningstad, Chris, Martin, Claudiu, Tamašauskaitė Janickė, Gintarė, Belchior Rocha, Helena, Kunnas, Jan, Vasconcelos, Maria Luísa, Riechers, Maraja, Prechtl, Martin H. G., Piotrkowska, Monika, Alkan, Nigar, Kalkan, Nimet, Esenbuga, Nurinisa, Pineda-Martos, Rocío, Bernardo, Sandra, Milliken, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7151-8753, Okkiran, Şehnaz, Burakgazi, Sevinç Gelmez, Von Wirth, Timo, Güngör, Tuba Aydın and Kiss, Veronika (2026) The prefigurative politics of enactable sustainability transformations in the present. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift–Norwegian Journal of Geography. pp. 1-13. ISSN 0029-1951 (Print), 1502-5292 (Online) (doi:10.1080/00291951.2026.2648496)

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Abstract

The concept of “prefigurative politics” invites geographers to envision transformative change through a shift in practices stemming from a micro level. This article examines and substantiates how this idea is mobilised in relation to current sustainability transformations. A large interdisciplinary group of geographers and transition scholars present topic clusters of prefigurative enablers that instigate and catalyse the enactment of transformative policymaking towards sustainable futures. Drawing on dozens of rich and diverse examples to illustrate cases of transformation, we provide a conceptual perspective to advance the theoretical discussion about triggers and processes of transformative change amongst geographers. We argue for three principles for examining the prefigurative politics of present transformation: (a) multi-scalarity, to consider prefigurative politics across personal-systemic spheres; (b) boundary transgression, to span interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary as well as inward- and outward-looking prefigurative politics; and (c) temporalities, to address institutionalisation and change processes that play out along short and long timelines. Approaching present transformations through a prefigurative politics lens helps identify scope for action that aligns with transformative change. We argue for wider deployment of these principles, to synthesise scholarship, channel micro-level prefigurative political efforts into systemic transformative change, and guide future research and policymaking towards sustainability transformations.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Paid by the University of Bergen for open access publication.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	prefigurative politics, transformation, sustainability
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Design and Creative Industries Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences
Last Modified:	23 Apr 2026 13:54
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/52873

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