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Integrated Sustainable Urban Development: Governance and Management Strategies for Connecting Urban Systems

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "C: Energy Economics and Policy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 October 2020) | Viewed by 23757

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ellen van Bueren

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Guest Editor
Delft Univ Technol, Fac Architecture & Built Environm, Julianalaan 134, NL-2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands
Interests: urban development; management; governance; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Aksel Ersoy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Delft Univ Technol, Fac Architecture & Built Environm, Julianalaan 134, NL-2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands
Interests: urban development; co-production; urban resilience; urban system integration
Dr. Thomas Hoppe

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Delft Univ Technol, Fac Technology, Policy & Management, Jaffalaan 5, NL-2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands
Interests: governance, energy transition, socio-technical systems, climate change policy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the urban context, where many different functions and values need to be served within a contained space, the implementation of the energy transition runs into many barriers and conflicts, such as those over the use of space, insufficient public support and funding, and short-term gains versus long-term goals. The uncertain and quickly changing macro-landscape within which the energy transition is taking place is feeding the policy process with doubts and delays, whereas (inter)nationally agreed ambitions and targets underline the urgent need to take action.

Connecting or coupling policy issues and urban systems is considered a suitable strategy for overcoming deadlocked processes while creating mutual benefits. Especially in the field of the energy transition, such strategies are actively sought in an attempt to speed-up the energy transition by creating support, for example solutions such as waste-to-energy, and the active search for connecting energy transition interventions to improvements at the level of buildings, streets, public spaces or other infrastructures. Issue coupling in the urban domain therefore almost also involves the establishment of physical couplings, with new connections within or between systems. Nevertheless, there are structural limitations to the coupling of multiple systems caused by their complexity and institutional diversity.

In this Special Issue, we invite papers exploring the potentials and pitfalls of coupling and connecting strategies, the possible outcomes, and the strategies and supporting instruments used. We are looking for theoretically and empirically informed contributions.

Prof. Dr. Ellen van Bueren
Dr. Aksel Ersoy
Dr. Thomas Hoppe
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Energy transition strategies
  • Implementation barriers and drivers
  • Connecting urban systems
  • Issue coupling (loose or tight)
  • Integrated sustainable urban development
  • Governance and management strategies
  • System interdependencies
  • Path dependencies
  • Organizational change
  • Institutional change
  • Joint value creation
  • Policy entrepreneur
  • Mutual gains approach

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 611 KiB  
Article
Energy Strategies, the Urban Dimension, and Spatial Planning
by Karishma Asarpota and Vincent Nadin
Energies 2020, 13(14), 3642; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13143642 - 15 Jul 2020
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 6515
Abstract
The UN Paris Agreement of November 2016 recognises the need for a ‘cleaner and more efficient energy system’ as a core policy goal to address climate change. The spatial and urban form of cities is a key factor in achieving more efficient energy [...] Read more.
The UN Paris Agreement of November 2016 recognises the need for a ‘cleaner and more efficient energy system’ as a core policy goal to address climate change. The spatial and urban form of cities is a key factor in achieving more efficient energy production and consumption and becomes more important with rapid urbanisation across much of the world. City urban form and planning are therefore potentially powerful levers for the energy transition. This paper examines the extent to which city ‘energy strategies’ address the critical spatial and urban form characteristics of cities as a means to achieve a more efficient energy system. We construct an assessment framework of key aspects of the spatial and urban development of cities related to transport and accessibility and urban form. The framework is used to assess the degree to which energy strategies take into consideration aspects of urban development in four cities that are taking significant action on the energy policy: Hong Kong Oakland, Oslo, and Vancouver. We conclude that in these cities there is only fragmentary consideration of the potential of shaping spatial and urban form in the interests of energy efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Sustainable Urban Development: Governance and Management Strategies for Connecting Urban Systems)
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30 pages, 1849 KiB  
Article
Cities4ZERO Approach to Foresight for Fostering Smart Energy Transition on Municipal Level
by Merit Tatar, Tarmo Kalvet and Marek Tiits
Energies 2020, 13(14), 3533; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13143533 - 9 Jul 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4651
Abstract
Smart energy transition efforts at the municipal level are gaining importance and go far beyond implementing single projects. Decarbonising cities involves complex strategic planning and needs system level thinking and changes. This has been increasingly realised at the municipal level, but challenges remain [...] Read more.
Smart energy transition efforts at the municipal level are gaining importance and go far beyond implementing single projects. Decarbonising cities involves complex strategic planning and needs system level thinking and changes. This has been increasingly realised at the municipal level, but challenges remain regarding the tools, involvement of stakeholders and on the development of policies. The focus of the research is on the use of participatory foresight for fostering smart energy transition on a municipal level, the key benefits and success factors that participatory foresight brings, and the replicability of this approach. Within the novel Cities4ZERO framework, an overarching methodology for a smart urban decarbonisation transition, guiding cities through the process of developing the most appropriate strategies, plans, projects, as well as looking for the commitment of key local stakeholders for an effective transition–foresight framework, was developed and tested in five pilot cities. Foresight as applied within the Cities4ZERO framework creates a participatory process which brings stakeholders together to achieve unified scenarios, and a common vision for future urban decarbonisation strategies. The methodology is replicable and increases the quality of strategic energy planning by fostering long-term system thinking. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Sustainable Urban Development: Governance and Management Strategies for Connecting Urban Systems)
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30 pages, 7768 KiB  
Article
A Decision Support Tool for Implementing District Heating in Existing Cities, Focusing on Using a Geothermal Source
by Ioannis Acheilas, Fransje Hooimeijer and Aksel Ersoy
Energies 2020, 13(11), 2750; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13112750 - 31 May 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3038
Abstract
In the context of climate change mitigation strategies in urban environments and reducing reliance on carbon-based energy sources, the Netherlands is gradually taking steps towards modification of its thermal energy system. Geothermal energy, widely used in agriculture, has recently emerged as a local, [...] Read more.
In the context of climate change mitigation strategies in urban environments and reducing reliance on carbon-based energy sources, the Netherlands is gradually taking steps towards modification of its thermal energy system. Geothermal energy, widely used in agriculture, has recently emerged as a local, clean, and sustainable energy source able to fulfil the residential demand for space heating and has received growing attention in district energy planning. However, failed attempts in the past and the lack of experience with direct application of this technology in district heating systems has increased uncertainty with respect to the technical, spatial, and socioeconomic barriers to be overcome between supply and demand. This calls for the application of decision support tools in order to remove these barriers and facilitate more appropriate decision making towards the implementation of smart thermal energy grids in local energy communities. This research explores how the network of actors, those who see opportunities in direct use of geothermal energy in the Netherlands, can work on the transformation of the current centralised carbon-based energy systems towards local sustainable energy communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Sustainable Urban Development: Governance and Management Strategies for Connecting Urban Systems)
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18 pages, 298 KiB  
Article
Challenges and Opportunities of Business Models in Sustainable Transitions: Evidence from Solar Energy Niche Development in Lebanon
by Houda Elmustapha and Thomas Hoppe
Energies 2020, 13(3), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13030670 - 4 Feb 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5050
Abstract
Although business models presumably have a prominent role in socio-technical change remarkably little research has been conducted in this domain, more particularly in the context of developing economies. In this paper, we tap into this knowledge gap and study business model components and [...] Read more.
Although business models presumably have a prominent role in socio-technical change remarkably little research has been conducted in this domain, more particularly in the context of developing economies. In this paper, we tap into this knowledge gap and study business model components and the challenges they face. We argue that the market value of renewable energy technologies will increase when new business models are implemented to overcome financial and institutional challenges. We complement concepts of the business model literature with the insights from the sustainable transitions literature. This paper addresses two research questions: What are the challenges of business and financial models in the transition towards decentralized solar energy driven systems? And what are the promising opportunities for new business models in a developing country context? To answer these research questions, we use a case study research design focusing on niche market development of solar thermal and solar photovoltaic (PV) technology in Lebanon. Data collection involved analysis of relevant text documents and expert interviews with 30 informants across different groups of stakeholders. Data analysis involved qualitative interpretation of collected data against concepts from the business model and Strategic Niche Management literatures. The results show that business model challenges initially were highly dependent on donor aid, which contributed to the launch and network creation of niche markets. Later, a shift to micro-finance and business startup models was observed, which showed promising development. Knowledge transfer and community empowerment were found to play an important role in developing new business models that involve consumers more closely. As this development is expected to take place more often, we expect that new opportunity pathways will develop in developing economies like Lebanon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Sustainable Urban Development: Governance and Management Strategies for Connecting Urban Systems)
28 pages, 2000 KiB  
Article
A Data Ecosystem for Data-Driven Thermal Energy Transition: Reflection on Current Practice and Suggestions for Re-Design
by Devin Diran, Thomas Hoppe, Jolien Ubacht, Adriaan Slob and Kornelis Blok
Energies 2020, 13(2), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13020444 - 16 Jan 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3798
Abstract
The transition towards low-carbon thermal energy systems requires solid information provision to support both public and private decision-making, which is future proof and optimal in the context of the system dependencies. We adopt a data ecosystem approach to answer the following research question: [...] Read more.
The transition towards low-carbon thermal energy systems requires solid information provision to support both public and private decision-making, which is future proof and optimal in the context of the system dependencies. We adopt a data ecosystem approach to answer the following research question: How can a data ecosystem be analyzed and developed to enable the data-driven support of the local thermal energy transition, by capturing both social and technical aspects of the urban thermal energy system? A case study research design of the Netherlands, with an embedded case of the city of Utrecht therein, was used, including data collection involving 21 expert interviews representing a diversity of stakeholders, and qualitative data analysis using NVivo version 10. The data ecosystem includes the necessary elements, roles, and context for decision makers in a local heat transition and captures the social as well as technical aspects of an urban thermal energy system. Assessment of the data ecosystem pertaining to thermal heat transition in the city of Utrecht shows that it is still in its infancy phase, with challenges, barriers, and shortcomings in all its key elements. We present suggestions for the (re-)design of an inclusive and holistic data ecosystem that addresses the current shortcomings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Sustainable Urban Development: Governance and Management Strategies for Connecting Urban Systems)
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