Abstract
Energy transition is expected to make an important contribution to sustainable development. Although it is argued that landscape design could foster energy transition, there is scant empirical research on how practitioners approach this new challenge. The research question central to this study is: To what extent and how is renewable energy science incorporated in regional landscape design? To address this knowledge gap, a case study of a regional landscape design competition in the Netherlands, held from 2010–2012, is presented. Its focus was on integral, strategic landscape transformation with energy transition as a major theme. Content analysis of the 36 competition entries was supplemented and triangulated with a survey among the entrants, observation of the process and a study of the competition documents and website. Results indicated insufficient use of key-strategies elaborated by renewable energy science. If landscape design wants to adopt a supportive role towards energy transition, a well-informed and evidence-based approach is highly recommended. Nevertheless, promising strategies for addressing the complex process of ensuring sustainable energy transition also emerged. They include the careful cultivation of public support by developing inclusive and bottom-up processes, and balancing energy-conscious interventions with other land uses and interests.
Highlights
Sustainable energy transition—the shift from a fossil-fuel based energy system to one based on renewable sources—is motivated by environmental,economic and geopolitical factors [1,2,3].In the coming decades, the transition to renewable energy is expected to make an important contribution to the process of sustainable development [3,4].Historically, much of the world’s energy is provided by the environment and, in turn, its exploitation often had a considerable impact on the landscape [5,6,7]
Academics working in the field of landscape architecture developed spatial design concepts and principles, based on insights derived from renewable energy science, thermodynamics, systems science, and ecology [20,21,22]
Our research question is: To what extent and how is renewable energy science incorporated in regional landscape design? To answer this question we studied the results of the Ninth Eo Wijers Regional Landscape Design Competition
Summary
Much of the world’s energy is provided by the (natural) environment and, in turn, its exploitation often had a considerable impact on the landscape [5,6,7] Because of this reciprocal relationship, Ghosn [8], Bloemers, et al [9], Stremke and van den Dobbelsteen [10], Ivančić [11], Radzi [12] and van Hoorn and Matthijsen [13], amongst others, argue that energy transition represents a challenge for those involved in planning and design. A more strategic approach to energy transition has emerged that includes fostering a sustainable realization of energy transition goals from a spatial perspective [17,18,19] To this end, academics working in the field of landscape architecture developed spatial design concepts and principles, based on insights derived from renewable energy science, thermodynamics, systems science, and ecology [20,21,22]. The process of implementing the envisaged strategic approach would begin with surveying and mapping potential energy saving and generation resources in a selected environment using, for example, Energy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
