The ResourcePlan—An Instrument for Resource-Efficient Development of Urban Neighborhoods

Birgitta Hörnschemeyer,Gotthard Walter,Daniel Wirbals,Rosalie Arendt,Celestin Julian Stretz,Matthias Finkbeiner,Janik Budde,Vanessa Bach,Jens Haberkamp,Christa Reicher,Christian Klemm,Mathias Uhl,Winona Grimsehl-Schmitz,Jan Niesten,Sabine Flamme,Peter Vennemann,Jonas Kleckers,Anne Söfker-Rieniets

doi:10.3390/su14031522

Abstract

In Germany, the current sectoral urban planning often leads to inefficient use of resources, partly because municipalities lack integrated planning instruments and argumentation strength toward politics, investors, or citizens. The paper develops the ResourcePlan as (i) legal and (ii) a planning instrument to support the efficient use of resources in urban neighborhoods. The integrative, multi-methodological approach addresses the use of natural resources in the building and infrastructural sectors of (i) water (storm- and wastewater) management, (ii) construction and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure, (iii) urban energy system planning, and (iv) land-use planning. First, the development as legal instrument is carried out, providing (i) premises for integrating resource protection at all legal levels and (ii) options for implementing the ResourcePlan within German municipal structures. Second, the evaluation framework for resource efficiency of the urban neighborhoods is set up for usage as a planning instrument. The framework provides a two-stage process that runs through the phases of setting up and implementing the ResourcePlan. (Eco)system services are evaluated as well as life cycle assessment and economic aspects. As a legal instrument, the ResourcePlan integrates resource protection into municipal planning and decision-making processes. The multi-methodological evaluation framework helps to assess inter-disciplinary resource efficiency, supports the spatial identification of synergies and conflicting goals, and contributes to transparent, resource-optimized planning decisions.

Highlights

The ResourcePlan is an instrument for the resource-efficient development of urban neighborhoods
It represents both a legal and a planning instrument that was developed in a transdisciplinary exchange between municipal stakeholders and scientists
To strengthen enforcement at the municipal level, resource protection must be anchored across all legal levels, as stated in the premises developed for legal integration

Summary

Introduction

Change identifies urbanization as one of the most outstanding challenges for social and infrastructural development of present and future [1]. The use and overuse of natural resources such as water, raw materials, and land threaten the Earth system’s resilient state [5,6]. Seto et al [7] declare, “the conversion of earth’s land surface to urban uses is one of the most irreversible human impacts on the global biosphere”. If global warming proceeds in the current trend, the loss and damage to ecosystem services will lead to a lack of human well-being, livelihoods, and health [10,11]

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Conclusion