Humus Economicus : Soil Blindness and the value of "Dirt" in Urbanized landscapes.

 

This art and research project inquiries into the value and future of soil in urbanized landscapes. It seeks to draw attention to radically altered human-soil relations, the invisible work of soils, and practices of soil care in a time when soils are sealed and degraded at rapid rates. Humus economicus is initiated by artist and environmental humanities researcher Janna Holmstedt at National Historical Museums, Sweden. Funded by Formas – a Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (2021–2024).

Outcomes include:

Holmstedt, J., Lindblad, J., Fredengren, C., Åberg, C., Lobell, M., & Wegsjö, K. (in press spring 2025). Cultivating Ecosystem Conviviality Trough Soil Arts and Urban Gardening. In P. McElwee, M. Hsu, K. Allen, R. Gould & J. He (Eds). Routledge Handbook of Cultural Ecosystem Services. Routledge.

Holmstedt, J. & Lindblad, J. (2024). Elementär planering: Jordade städer och gemenskapande naturkulturer.PLAN, nr. 3-4.

Lobell, M. & Lindblad. J. (2023) Arwidsson Talk Podcast, Under Jord- om jordblindhet i staden https://arwidssonstiftelsen.se/podcast/under-jord/

Lindblad, J. (2021) Jordlager i lagar – ytvärden och djupvärden / Soil Layers and Laws – Surface Values and Deep Values of Soils in the City. Blog post on project webpage: https://humuseconomicus.se/sv/nyheter/jordlager-i-lagar-ytvarden-och-djupvarden/