Stephan Hauser

Stephan Hauser is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki's Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, following the completion of his PhD in Architecture and Urban Planning from TU Delft in 2022. His groundbreaking research combines legal expertise with urban planning to examine the complex relationship between oil companies and port city development, particularly focusing on environmental regulations and spatial planning. His doctoral thesis, "The Oil is Dying? Long Live its Heritage!" investigated how oil industry leaders influenced legal frameworks to minimize restrictions on their operations, leading to significant environmental and health challenges in port cities. Through case studies of major European ports like Dunkirk and Rotterdam, Hauser's work reveals the intricate connections between industrial heritage, environmental protection, and urban development. His multidisciplinary approach, stemming from his unique background in law and medical studies, has produced influential publications examining the oil industry's impact on urban spaces and environmental regulations. His research has earned him recognition in the field, including research funding from the Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation for 2024/2026, focusing on sustainability transitions and environmental justice. His work particularly emphasizes how historical decisions in spatial planning and environmental regulation continue to affect current efforts toward energy transition and sustainable development in port cities.