Incorporating Metabolic Thinking into Regional Planning: The Case of the Sierra Calderona Strategic Plan

Abstract

The metabolic study of the southeastern part of the Calderona Mountain Range (Sierra Calderona) was developed over an area of 200 square kilometers. Due to its location on the outskirt of the Metropolitan Area of Valencia (Spain), the Calderona Mountain Range presents most of the metabolic challenges and potentials that characterize peri-urban areas. The main goal of the study was to increase the sustainability levels of the region by optimizing the flows of materials and energy, as well as flows related to the transport of people within and in/outside the region. The following article includes a methodological introduction to regional and urban metabolic studies. Secondly, it presents the specific application of those principles in the Sierra Calderona case and the qualitative and quantitative results of the assessed regional flows. Moreover, the use of Metabolic Functional Areas (FMAs) is proposed to better integrate metabolic studies with land-use and spatial planning. In its second section, the article also presents the potential for shifting toward an optimized metabolism of the studied area, as well as a set of strategies and actions for their achievement. Finally, in the conclusions, we present a critical reflection on the methods, data, exportability and scalability of the results produced in the Sierra Calderona Case. Due to its regional character, the metabolic performance of the Sierra Calderona is connected to a wide range of land uses, productive functions and stakeholders. That is the reason why the formulated strategies and actions are deeply interlinked with different sectors and why they were supported by the results of an open participatory process. However, and in spite of its regional scope, the urban systems of the Sierra Calderona proved to be an essential lever for improving the regional and local sustainability, due to their varied morphological structures, distinctive ways of functioning, and different types of interaction with the surroundings.

Towards A Relational Model for Emerging Urban Nature Concepts: A Practical Application and an External Assessment in Landscape Planning Education

“…Conversely, Lafortezza et al (2013) established an embedded model in which the GI framework includes different concepts and functions [10], whereas Hansen and Pauleit (2014) defined a layered model in which the spatial dimension of the GI is connected to its functional dimension in terms of benefits for human well-being (ESS) [6]. In their model, Tzoulas et al (2007), followed a similar approach and layered arrangement [12], whereas Galan and Perrotti (2019) explained the metabolic performance of a regional socio-ecological system through a set of layered meta-systems (social and physical) and their embedded systems [15].…”

“…Interestingly, Muhar et al (2017) concentrated on conceptions, both individual and collective, of human-nature relationships and specific urban nature concepts, such as GI and ESS, which were perceived as part of the "concepts of nature" included in the social-cultural framework developed to link biophysical and socio-cultural systems [14]. The same basic principle lies behind the model proposed by Galan and Perrotti (2019) to explain a regional metabolism through a set of meta-systems (social and physical) and their corresponding systems [15].Overall, and in accordance with the first research question proposed for this article, the study of existing literature suggests the need for systematically analysing and comparing existing models, in order to identify different typologies and to understand how and how many different urban nature concepts are connected through them and for which purposes. This information would be essential to determine the possible need for new relational models linking urban nature concepts and strengthening the necessary connections between specialized research and integrative practice [6], or between thinking and planning [16,17].Interestingly, education can play a key role in this regard.…”

“…Interestingly, Muhar et al (2017) concentrated on conceptions, both individual and collective, of human-nature relationships and specific urban nature concepts, such as GI and ESS, which were perceived as part of the "concepts of nature" included in the social-cultural framework developed to link biophysical and socio-cultural systems [14]. The same basic principle lies behind the model proposed by Galan and Perrotti (2019) to explain a regional metabolism through a set of meta-systems (social and physical) and their corresponding systems [15].…”

Including Urban Metabolism Principles in Decision-Making: A Methodology for Planning Waste and Resource Management

“…Despite its limits, identified by the authors themselves, the DSS was effective in supporting the assessment of planning alternatives and introducing the UM concept into the planning process. Other researches and projects undertook the challenge of incorporating "metabolic thinking" (e.g., Galan and Perrotti [27]) and UM in policyand decision-making [28,29]. This increasing corpus of researches highlights the promising potential of the metabolic approach as a planning tool.…”

“…This increasing corpus of researches highlights the promising potential of the metabolic approach as a planning tool. Furthermore, scholars recommend the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods [27], the development of clear and comprehensible information, and the involvement of both policymakers and local stakeholders in a participatory decision-making process [28,30]. In general, innovative and sustainable strategies for resource and waste management (including those based on UM and CE) cannot overlook the importance of detailed and high-quality information (e.g., high-quality information to address sustainable biodiesel production [31]).…”