Geodesign: integrating geographical sciences and creative design in envisioning a 'New Urban Europe'

Abstract

This paper reflects on the emerging concept of geodesign (a technological integration of spatial design and geographic and information sciences) and how it can be used to promote visionary goals for urban development. It moves on to review the recently proposed research agenda for urban studies, entitled: 'New Urban Europe' and draws links between the geodesign steps and those proposed research needs, as it can help designers understand their land–use interventions have consequences which push the urban space to different futures. We operationalised this concept for urban planning in the Netherlands. We integrated the geographic knowledge of the region into layers of information [e.g., geo–demographics, built environment, natural landscapes, energy potential] and analytic scientific models [e.g., traffic, noise, pollution, land–use change, safety, knowledge worker preferences] in order to calculate impacts and consequences during the course of the design process. The design is facilitated by a digital natural user interface that transparently records the creative ideas in sketches and provides feedback, immediately. This new interactive process allows more targeted designs which are evaluated and measured against intended future outcomes.