Mitigation/Adaptation: landscape architecture meets sustainable energy transition

Mitigation of climate change and adaptation to renewable energy sources are among the emerging fields of activity in landscape architecture. If landscape architects recognize the need for sustainable development on the basis of renewable energy sources, then how can we contribute to sustainable and aesthetic transformation of the human environment

Sustainable energy transition: properties and constraints of regenerative energy systems with respect to spatial planning and design

Before transforming the built environment, one must understand the characteristic of regenerative systems. The aim of this study was is to compare fossil-fuel energy systems with regenerative systems. It explores key properties and constraints of regenerative energy systems with respect to spatial organization and design of the built environment. The findings of this comparative analysis are illustrated with the help of a regional case-study in South Limburg, the Netherlands

Designing sustainable energy landscapes : concepts, principles and procedures

The depletion of fossil fuels, in combination with climate change, necessitates a transition to sustainable energy systems. Such systems are characterized by a decreased energy demand and an increase in the use of renewables. The objective of this dissertation is to advance the planning and design of sustainable landscapes, where energy needs can be fulfilled by locally-available renewable sources. What is important to the designer is to understand the principles by which sustainable energy landscapes can be designed, and how to organize the design process. Three different approaches have been pursued: research for design, research of design, and research-driven design. The study reveals three points of particular importance. First, the concept of exergy is critical; it draws special attention to the quality of energy carriers and the organization of sources and sinks in space and time. Second, the optimum scales of energy systems vary and depend on factors such as the quality of the energy carrier and infrastructure. Third, the long-term nature of creating sustainable landscapes requires us to go beyond conventional planning and design practice. The five-step framework proposed in this dissertation can help to integrate current trends and critical uncertainties into the design process

Towards a Dutch declaration of energy independence

The hypothesis is that nature offers powerful strategies for coping with resources scarcity and land use competition. The landscape approach to energy transition integrates ecological process thinking and strategic landscape desig

Re-Energize South Limburg: Designing sustainable energy landscapes

Designers, architects and planners must begin to anticipate the far reaching changes we are facing in connection with climate change. What if we take action and actively participate in the transition from fossil-fuel driven society towards a more sustainable society? This Wageningen University paper intends to discuss some of the spatial opportunities and consequences of a sustainable energy transition in relation to climate change and depletion of fossil-fuels. At the same time, it provides a broad overview of issues and challenges at hand whilst designing sustainable energy landscapes on a regional scal