The low-entropy city: A thermodynamic approach to reconnect urban systems with nature

Pelorosso, Raffaele; Gobattoni, Federica; Leone, Antonio

doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2017.10.002

Cited by 62 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…In the Italian context, for example, one possible way could be to design a new way to define urban services that are required by the 1968 national law for urban minimum requirements ("Standard Urbanistici"). For example, Pelorosso et al (2017) propose new standards for spatial planning based on ecological processes and the relative functions of all open spaces and semi-natural areas delivering ES. Such standards should be based on new measurements able to quantify ES at different scales (Leone et al 2018, p. 86).…”

Section: Reasons For the Limited Impacts And Needs For Governance Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why is the inclusion of the ecosystem services concept in urban planning so limited? A knowledge implementation and impact analysis of the Italian urban plans

Rosa

2019

Socio Ecol Pract Res

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This article analyses the explicit use of the ecosystem services (ES) concept in the Italian urban planning practice and evaluates whether and to what extent the concept is actually used to deliver planning choices to improve the overall urban sustainability. Based upon a systematic grey literature review of contemporary urban plans, the research reveals that out of 136 urban plans only a very limited number made an explicit reference to the ES concept, primarily in strategic environmental assessment procedures. The article explains reasons for the limited inclusion and explores the possibility to embed ES into urban planning through innovative laws and regulations at different levels of spatial governance.

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Section: Reasons For the Limited Impacts And Needs For Governance Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why is the inclusion of the ecosystem services concept in urban planning so limited? A knowledge implementation and impact analysis of the Italian urban plans

Rosa

2019

Socio Ecol Pract Res

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“…Thus, a low level of entropy is necessary to maintain quality of life [37]. Moreover, urban planning should pursue a low-entropy city view, organizing spatial elements (e.g., green areas) of the city to promote social cohesion and a sense of place [38] Therefore, social cohesion can reduce the uncertainties related to entropy, because networks of attuned and conscious citizens are more able to create inclusive spaces for the livability of the city. In this context, low levels of social entropy mean a good quality of life, meaning that livability is created by communities with socio-economic equality and social cohesion.…”

Section: Livability Life-ability and The Construction Of 'Quality Omentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We also envision that the proposed framework could serve as a design principle for modeling the complexity of the city. The low-entropy city needs to be based on a flexible interactive network of agents [38]. Thus, future investigations could model sets of agents (individuals) with high levels of autonomy, adaptivity, and (place) sense-making.…”

Section: Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Conceptual Urban Quality Space-Place Framework: Linking Geo-Information and Quality of Life

Cabrera-Barona

Merschdorf

2018

Urban Science

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Space and place are key concepts for understanding the functionality of social and environmental interactions. Cities are complex social-ecological systems where space-place interactions can be interpreted by means of quality of life. Firstly, we present several quality-of-life concepts that can be linked to space and place concepts. Secondly, we develop an analysis about space and place interactions, and how the social aspects, such as the sense of place, and physical aspects, such as urban spaces, are associated with quality of life and inclusive places. Thirdly, we state how the quality of life definitions of livability and life-ability are linked to the space and place concepts, and how this link can support the understanding of quality of life in cities, considering spatial thinking. Fourthly, we expand geo-information theories to a space-place approach of urban quality of life. Finally, we discuss how the developed conceptual framework can be applied to interpret the smart city. This paper contributes to the construction of new epistemologies that could support a more holistic understanding of the cities and a more social and humanistic use of geo-information and technology.

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“…In the US, green infrastructure is more focused on various approaches to manage and restore natural water resources at the various level [11]. As one of natural based solutions to move cities toward sustainability, green infrastructure can help improve the urban stormwater management by enhancing the recreation and tourism opportunities as well as aesthetic externalities [12]. More importantly, green infrastructure also plays a crucial role in saving energy, reducing urban heat island effect, protecting wildlife habitat, and mitigating air pollution, among other sustainable benefits [13][14][15][16][17][18].Until recently, the benefits of green infrastructure have been studied mostly in relation to siteand local-level environmental, social, and economic impacts [19][20][21][22], while its potential value has not been fully examined at the planning level.…”

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confidence: 99%

An Evaluation of Local Comprehensive Plans Toward Sustainable Green Infrastructure in US

Kim

Tran

2018

Sustainability

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The benefits of green infrastructure have been verified at the site-level by many empirical studies. However, there is limited understanding of how local governments prepare and implement green infrastructure planning in practice. This study employs the content analysis method to examine the quality of local comprehensive plans regarding sustainable green infrastructure in 60 municipalities of the United States. The study uses regression analysis to explain the variance of plan quality. Study results indicate that key green infrastructure principles were not fully incorporated in the existing sampled plans, with average score of 19.6 out of 50. While plan quality scores were slightly higher in counties than in cities, both areas could significantly improve plan quality with detailed policies, action strategies, and implementation tactics for green infrastructure planning and management. Regression analysis further identified that planning capacities, as well as socio-economic characteristics of study area may impact overall plan quality. The findings of this study demonstrate the importance of incorporating detailed green infrastructure principles whenever local planners adopt or amend regional plans in order to improve plan quality and to support implementation. Sustainability 2018, 10, 4143 2 of 21 together" (p. 97). Sharing similar views about the role of corridors, Benedict and McMahon [6] added examples of hubs such as natural areas of vegetation, open space, or an unknown ecological value.With the rapid expansion of urbanized areas, leading to increased landscape fragmentation, hubs and corridors have an enhanced role in city or urban areas due to their support to ecosystem services related to landscape connectivity even if rarely evaluated in green infrastructure planning [7,8]. In the city, where natural landscapes have been replaced by man-made structures, hubs and corridors are now more important than ever [5]. To support efforts to restore natural environments to city and urban areas, one of the region's primary tools is implementing effective green infrastructure planning. Green infrastructure often refers to a "strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas that is designed to provide a wide range of ecosystem services" [6,9]. Although the concept can be implied differently at the national (green network), regional (planning), or site (low impact development practices) level, the share goal is to design, construct, and manage nature by harmonizing environmental resources with city landscape [10]. In the US, green infrastructure is more focused on various approaches to manage and restore natural water resources at the various level [11]. As one of natural based solutions to move cities toward sustainability, green infrastructure can help improve the urban stormwater management by enhancing the recreation and tourism opportunities as well as aesthetic externalities [12]. More importantly, green infrastructure also plays a crucial role in saving energy, reducing urban heat island effect...

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The low-entropy city: A thermodynamic approach to reconnect urban systems with nature

Cited by 62 publications

References 55 publications

Why is the inclusion of the ecosystem services concept in urban planning so limited? A knowledge implementation and impact analysis of the Italian urban plans

Why is the inclusion of the ecosystem services concept in urban planning so limited? A knowledge implementation and impact analysis of the Italian urban plans

A Conceptual Urban Quality Space-Place Framework: Linking Geo-Information and Quality of Life

An Evaluation of Local Comprehensive Plans Toward Sustainable Green Infrastructure in US

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