Sven Stremke

Ecological concepts and strategies with relevance to energy-conscious spatial planning and design

Sustainable systems utilise renewable energy sources and recycle materials effectively. In theory, solar radiation provides abundant energy to sustain humanity. Our capacity to utilise available sources, however, is limited and competition for resources is expected to increase in the future. Spatial organisation and design of the physical environment influences two aspects of sustainable energy transition: assimilation of renewables and energy consumption. How can spatial planning and design support the transition from fossil fuels to a sustainable energy regime? Natural ecosystems constitute one source of inspiration. They are described with the help of ecological concepts; some of which reveal how energy flow is optimised in nature. Ecological concepts and ecosystem strategies are not limited to the description of natural phenomena; they can also inform energy-conscious planning and design of neighborhoods, cities, and entire regions. We identify and discuss nine ecological concepts with relevance to energy-conscious spatial planning and design.

Energy Potential Mapping for Energy-Producing Neighborhoods

Over the past five years, the method of energy potential mapping (EPM) has evolved from a cartoonish charting of climatic features with energy consequences to a detailed methodology for the development of spatial plans based on energy-effective foundations. By means of EPM the rudimentary features and properties of an area are analyzed, made discrete and translated into maps of the specific area (be it a region, city, district or neighbourhood) depicting potentials for energy supply and generation. In the latest studies in accordance with EPM, these energy potential maps are presented as a stack at different heights (above the surface) and depths (underground), showing the maximum potential of an area. Based on these, a proposal can be made for the spatial organization of the area. In the full paper we will discuss the methodology of EPM and exemplify the method by means of recent studies, in particular De Groene Compagnie (‘The Green Campaign’), a new development area in the north of the Netherlands, whi...

Integration of Ecological and Thermodynamic Concepts in the Design of Sustainable Energy Landscapes

Resource depletion and climate change motivate a transition to sustainable energy systems that make effective use of renewable sources. Whereas nature presents strategies to sustain on the basis of renewables, the Laws of Thermodynamics can help to increase efficiency in energy use. In previous papers we have identified a number of ecological and thermodynamic concepts that are of special relevance to the transformation of today’s fossil fuel landscapes to sustainable energy landscapes. In spite of the many obvious benefits of renewable energy sources, the transition is constrained by periodic fluctuations in energy supply, low energy densities, and limited utilization of available energy. The central question of this paper is how ecological and thermodynamic concepts can help to overcome these constraints in the design, planning, and management of sustainable energy landscapes. Several examples from The Netherlands illustrate how descriptive scientific concepts can inform the design of sustainable energy landscapes and inspire the definition of generally applicable design strategies.

Integrated Visions (Part I): Methodological Framework for Long-term Regional Design

The growing complexity of regional planning and design, in combination with increasing concerns about climate change and resource depletion, has revived the discussion on strategic thinking. Spatial planning and landscape architecture develop long-term visions to facilitate the gradual adaptation of the physical environment. Despite accomplishments in both disciplines, the two domains have yet to exploit the full potential of a joint approach to long-term regional design. The objective of the multidisciplinary study reported in this paper was to explore alternative means of developing imaginative yet robust long-term visions. The study combined literature study with the development of several long-term visions for the creation of sustainable energy landscapes. This paper focuses on the emerging methodological framework for long-term regional design, and argues that three modes of change should be integrated into the design process: change due to current projected trends, change due to critical uncertainties and intended change. Subsequently, a five-step approach to the development of long-term visions is derived and illustrated in this paper. The second paper of this two-part series, which will be published in the April 2012 issue of European Planning Studies, centres on the application and the discussion of the five-step approach to integrated visions.

Integrated Visions (Part II): Envisioning Sustainable Energy Landscapes

Climate change and resource depletion are driving the transition to renewable energy sources. Both the supply of renewables and the demand for energy are influenced by the physical environment and therefore concern spatial planning and landscape design. Envisioning the long-term development of alternative energy landscapes – that is sustainable energy landscapes – present spatial planners and landscape architects with new challenges. The first paper of this two-part series discussed several existing approaches to long-term regional planning and landscape design, and presented an alternative, five-step approach for the composition of integrated visions [Stremke, S., Kann, F. Van & Koh, J. (2012) Integrated Visions (part I): Methodological Framework, European Planning Studies, [20(2), pp. 305–320]. This paper illustrates how the five-step approach was employed to compose a set of integrated visions for the development of sustainable energy landscapes in south of the Netherlands. The proposed five-step approach is then examined with respect to a set of criteria stressed in the planning and design literature.

Landscape machines: productive nature and the future sublime

Design and research in landscape design have yet to be balanced into a fine triad of theory, method and practice. Many practitioners worry that such academic seriousness may weaken the imaginative aspects of landscape design. Their trouble reveals a typical weakness in contemporary landscape architecture that somehow limits the understanding of design to an intersubjective acceptance of artistic patterns that celebrate a characteristic visual eloquence. In such cases, landscape design is limited to a symbolic representation of a wished-for world. This is, however, not helpful when dealing with the more fundamental necessities of landscape performance. When food production is not a mere urban fashion to redeem footloose consumerism and waste treatment is not only worn like a sustainable fig-leaf, landscape processes are needed to provide for human increase. Design research is facing real and annoying uncertainties because science is not as advanced as we had hoped. We know only a little about dynamic landscape processes and all the inherent chemical interactions. We take only very little advantage of surging winds, erosion regularities or wild animal behaviour. Instead we have adapted our design principles to essentially static and closed systems that provide a maximum of growth circumstances to enjoy colours, odours and proportional regularities. The challenge to design new living landscapes with interconnective features is the challenge for a new generation of landscape architects. We will discuss the general principles of designs we call ‘landscape machines’ and exemplify them with two projects developed by Master students at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. They reveal that design research cannot be limited to literature or reference study but is in need of experiential learning and 1:1 testing. Such landscape laboratories are an enhancement of the design studio as introduced by Donald Schön. Its underlying artistic principles are agrarian rather than architectural and its aesthetic foundation is more sublime than beautiful. Is the current condition of landscape architectural education ready for such a challenge?

Networks as the Driving Force for Climate Design

In this chapter the potential transformation of an area and the role networks can play is discussed. For a far-future transformation, the current situation as well as the near-future, already taken policy decisions, function as the starting point for the design. Network theory is subsequently used to identify the crucial nodes in the networks where a potential transformation is likely to be successful. These nodes can be defined making use of the common rules of networks. Some points in networks are better (more intensively) connected with more links, than others. These hubs, the more attractive nodes to link with, get richer, which makes them even more attractive to link with, which makes them richer and so forth. The places where these successful nodes are located can be identified and calculated as has been shown in the exercise in this chapter. The number and importance of connections as well as the typology of the nodes (a place consisting of one type is less attractive than if three networks overlap) play an important role in determining the interesting locations. Once these are found they can be used in the design, as is illustrated in the Peat Colonies case study. The structure of networks, with spines, nerves and nodes, in combination with a clear and specific objective leads to challenging and sustainable designs.

Does information on the interdependence of climate adaptation measures stimulate collaboration? A case study analysis

A key issue in implementing adaptation strategies at the landscape level is that landowners take measures on their land collectively. We explored the role of information in collective decision-making in a landscape planning process in the Baakse Beek region, the Netherlands. Information was provided on (a) the degree to which measures contribute to multiple purposes, (b) whether they are beneficial to stakeholders representing different sectors of land use, and (c) the need for landscape-level implementation of adaptation measures. Our analysis suggests that the negotiation process resulted in collective decisions for more collaborative adaptation measures than could be expected from individual preferences previous to the planning session. Based on the results, it is plausible that the provided information enhanced integrative agreements by leading stakeholders to realize that they were mutually interdependent, both in acquiring individual benefits as well as in implementing the measures at the landscape level. Our findings are significant in the context of the emerging insight that targeted information provision for climate adaptation of landscapes can support collaboration between the relevant stakeholders.