Table 1 Main actors and knowledge they use in Haga planning conflict, a summary. For details see Additional file 3

The Swedish Transport Administration (STA)

Formal actor. Key respondent and decision-maker. Pro-Haga station

Target knowledge, knowledge about current states and processes. Administrative, expert/professional

The City planning office

Formal actor. Key respondent and decision-maker. Pro-Haga station

Target knowledge, knowledge about current states and processes, predictive knowledge about risks. Administrative, expert/professional, scientific

The County Administrative Board (CAB)

Formal regulatory actor. Decision-maker. Is concerned with similar issues as the Haga opposition activists

Knowledge about current states, predictive about risks. Administrative, expert/professional, scientific

Different administrations in the City of Gothenburg

Formal actors. Concerned with negative effects of the construction

Predictive knowledge about risks.

Administrative, expert/professional knowledge

Trädplan Göteborg (The Tree plan network)

Informal actor. Most active opposition group. Concerned with negative effects on conservation, environmental values. Claim that the station is irrelevant and unnecessary

Knowledge about current states and processes, predictive about risks.

Scientific, administrative knowledge

Nej till Västlänken (Association ”No to West Link”)

Informal actor. Opposition group against the WL in general. Critical of the planning process

Knowledge about current states and processes.

Scientific, expert/professional knowledge

Stoppa Västlänken nu (”Stop the West Link now” group)

Informal actor. Opposition group. Against the WL in general. Concerned with negative impact of the station on natural and cultural values. Critical to how scientific and administrative knowledge is used in decision making

Knowledge about current states and processes, predictive knowledge about risks.

Administrative, expert/professional, scientific knowledge