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Shoina M, Voukkali I, Anagnostopoulos A, Papamichael I, Stylianou M, Zorpas AA. The 15-minute city concept: The case study within a neighbourhood of Thessaloniki. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2024; 42:694-710. [PMID: 38915242 PMCID: PMC11295418 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x241259926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Cities, crucial cultural hubs, mould individual and group identities. The global urban expansion, with over half the population in urban areas, presents interconnected challenges such as pollution, poverty, inequality, ageing infrastructure, resource overconsumption, land use changes, biodiversity impact and climate change. Addressing these demands ambitious actions targeting political, social and economic systems for transformative change. The theoretical framework guiding city transformation centres on an interdisciplinary approach influenced by the Smart and Green Transition. The '15-minute city' concept, emphasizing human scale and urban experience, proposes that cities enable residents to meet daily needs within a short walk or bike ride. The aim of this study was the exploration of its implementation in Greek cities, particularly Thessaloniki, which reveals inherent characteristics supporting the 15-minute concept. Through an interdisciplinary approach rooted in the Smart and Green Transition framework, the research provides concrete guidance for policymakers in tailoring urban planning strategies, allocating resources effectively and crafting policies conducive to successful and sustainable urban transformations. Moreover, prioritizing public engagement highlights the significance of community involvement in shaping urban development plans, ensuring that proposed initiatives align with residents' needs and desires. In essence, this research contributes tangible insights and actionable recommendations for Greek cities, paving the way for more liveable, resilient and sustainable urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Shoina
- Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Irene Voukkali
- Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Apostolos Anagnostopoulos
- Division of Transport and Project Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Iliana Papamichael
- Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Marinos Stylianou
- Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Antonis A Zorpas
- Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Webb R, O’Donnell T, Auty K, Bai X, Barnett G, Costanza R, Dodson J, Newman P, Newton P, Robson E, Ryan C, Stafford Smith M. Enabling urban systems transformations: co-developing national and local strategies. URBAN TRANSFORMATIONS 2023; 5:5. [PMID: 36844612 PMCID: PMC9939254 DOI: 10.1186/s42854-023-00049-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Transformative urban development is urgent to achieve future sustainable development and wellbeing. Transformation can benefit from shared and cumulative learning on strategies to guide urban development across local to national scales, while also reflecting the complex emergent nature of urban systems, and the need for context-specific and place-based solutions. The article addresses this challenge, drawing on extensive transdisciplinary engagement and National Strategy co-development processes for Australia. This includes generation of two frameworks as boundary objects to assist such transdisciplinary strategy development. An 'enabling urban systems transformation' framework comprises four generic overarching transformation enablers and a set of necessary underpinning urban capacities. This also built cumulatively on other sustainability and urban transformation studies. A complementary 'knowledge for urban systems transformation' framework comprises key knowledge themes that can support an integrated systems approach to mission-focused urban transformations, such as decarbonising cities. The article provides insights on the transdisciplinary processes, urban systems frameworks, and scoping of key strategies that may help those developing transformation strategies from local to national scales. Science highlights • Transdisciplinary national urban strategy development is used to distil generic frameworks and strategy scopes with potential international application. • The frameworks also build on other published framings to support convergent, cumulative and transdisciplinary urban science. • The 'enabling transformations' and 'urban knowledge' frameworks include the perspective of those developing sustainable urban systems strategies. • The enabling framework also informs 'National Urban Policy' and 'Knowledge and Innovation Hub' strategies, and prevailing power imbalances. • The knowledge framework can help frame urban challenges, missions and knowledge programs. Policy and practice recommendations • An urban 'transformation imperative' and 'strategic response' can be co-developed from local to national scales. • Local initiative is crucial to drive urban strategies, but sustained national leadership with coherent policy across sectors and scales is also key. • Diversity in engagement participation and processes generates whole-of-urban-systems and local-to-national perspectives. • Urban solutions are context-specific but generic frameworks can help collaborative issue framing and responses. • Collaborative issue framing informed by generic frameworks can bring broader perspectives to context-specific and contested policy and practice issues. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42854-023-00049-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Webb
- Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions (ICEDS) and Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, HC Coombs Building, 9 Fellows Road, Acton, Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Tayanah O’Donnell
- Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions (ICEDS) and Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Building 141, Linnaeus Way, Acton, Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Kate Auty
- University of Melbourne, 21-23 Railway Street, Euroa, VIC 3666 Australia
| | - Xuemei Bai
- Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University, Frank Fenner Building, Linnaeus Way, Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Guy Barnett
- CSIRO Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clunies Ross Street, Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Robert Costanza
- Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London, Floor 7, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF UK
| | - Jago Dodson
- Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, PO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia
| | - Peter Newman
- CUSP, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA 6845 Australia
| | - Peter Newton
- Centre for Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology, EW Building, Serpells Lane, Hawthorn, Melbourne, VIC 3122 Australia
| | - Eleanor Robson
- Future Earth Australia, Ian Potter House, 9 Gordon Street, Acton, Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Chris Ryan
- School of Design, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001 Australia
| | - Mark Stafford Smith
- CSIRO Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), PO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
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Westman L, Castán Broto V. Urban Transformations to Keep All the Same: The Power of Ivy Discourses. ANTIPODE 2022; 54:1320-1343. [PMID: 35911792 PMCID: PMC9311194 DOI: 10.1111/anti.12820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The concept of urban transformations has gathered interest among scholars and policymakers calling for radical change towards sustainability. The discourse represents an entry point to address systemic causes of ecological degradation and social injustice, thereby providing solutions to intractable global challenges. Yet, so far, urban transformations projects have fallen short of delivering significant action in cities. The limited ability of this discourse to enable change is, in our view, linked with a broader dynamic that threatens progressive commitments to knowledge pluralism. There are discourses that, cloaked in emancipatory terminology, prevent the flourishing of radical ideas. The ivy is a metaphor to understand how such discourses operate. Ivy discourses grow from a radical foundation, but they do so while reproducing assumptions and values of mainstream discourses. We are concerned that urban transformations functions as an ivy discourse, which reproduces rather than challenges knowledge systems and relations that sustain hegemony.
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Blythe J, Baird J, Bennett N, Dale G, Nash KL, Pickering G, Wabnitz CCC. Fostering ocean empathy through future scenarios. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Blythe
- Environmental Sustainability Research Centre Brock University Saint Catharines ON Canada
| | - Julia Baird
- Environmental Sustainability Research Centre Brock University Saint Catharines ON Canada
- Department of Geography and Tourism Studies Brock University Saint Catharines ON Canada
- Sustainability Research Centre University of the Sunshine Coast Maroochydore DC QLD Australia
| | | | - Gillian Dale
- Environmental Sustainability Research Centre Brock University Saint Catharines ON Canada
| | - Kirsty L. Nash
- Centre for Marine Socioecology University of Tasmania Hobart TAS Australia
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies University of Tasmania Hobart TAS Australia
| | - Gary Pickering
- Environmental Sustainability Research Centre Brock University Saint Catharines ON Canada
- Sustainability Research Centre University of the Sunshine Coast Maroochydore DC QLD Australia
- Department of Biological Sciences Brock University Saint Catharines ON Canada
- Department of Psychology Brock University Saint Catharines ON Canada
| | - Colette C. C. Wabnitz
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
- Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions Stanford University Stanford CA USA
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The Landscape of Envisioning and Speculative Design Methods for Sustainable Mobility Futures. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12062447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Urban mobility is facing an increased long-term uncertainty and complexity generated by accelerated technological development. These challenges require radical advancement in planning processes and methods, which could enable breaking out of path dependencies and unlocking alternative, sustainable futures. In order to provide a landscape overview of foresight-focused methods used in the domain of urban mobility, we conduct a systematic literature review. An analytical framework for review is based on planning knowledge taxonomy, including dialectic between knowing how/what and knowing to what end and doing. Such framework formulation is aiming to assess methodological capacity for widening system boundary and holism (object-focus) as well as integration and imagination (process-focus). Results show that the overall trend of methodological development is emphasizing development in object or process-focus domain, but rarely both. In addition to this assessment, we conclude that methodological development should further reflect the moral and democratic dimension concerning public deliberation. Such development should aim to create spaces for shared discussion, reflection, and formation of alternative futures, while allowing spaces for agonistic contestation and conflicting opinions through radical, experimental, and experiential approaches.
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What Does Urban Transformation Look Like? Findings from a Global Prize Competition. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11174653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Different disciplines are grappling with the concept of ‘urban transformation’ reflecting its planetary importance and urgency. A recent systematic review traces the emergence of a normative epistemic community that is concerned with helping make sustainable urban transformation a reality. Our contribution to this growing body of work springs out of a recent initiative at the World Resources Institute, namely, the WRI Ross Prize for Cities, a global award for transformative projects that have ignited sustainable changes in their city. In this paper we explain the competition-based approach that was used to source transformative initiatives and relate our findings to existing currents in urban transformation scholarship and key debates. We focus on one of the questions at the heart of the normative urban transformation agenda: what does urban transformation look like in practice? Based on an analysis of the five finalists, we describe urban transformation as encompassing a plurality of contextual and relative changes, which may progress and accelerate positively, or regress over time. An evaluative approach that considers varying ‘degrees’ and ‘types’ of urban transformation is proposed to establish meaning within single cases and across several cases of urban transformation.
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Abstract
Urban transformations form a central challenge for enabling global pathways towards sustainability and resilience. However, it remains unclear what kind of capacity is needed to deliver urban change that is actually transformative. Against a backdrop of current claims and efforts to achieve urban transformations, this special issue reviews the relational concept of urban transformative capacity and how it can inform novel approaches in research, policy, and practice. Drawing on seven papers analyzing diverse empirical contexts, we identify four requirements that should guide future action: (1) foster inclusion and empowerment as prerequisites, (2) close the intermediation gap and strengthen the role of local academia, (3) challenge and reinvent urban planning as a key arena, and (4) enhance reflexivity through novel self-assessment techniques. Overall, current levels of urban transformative capacity are assessed as very low, making its development a high-priority objective for all stakeholders, but for planning and research policy in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Wolfram
- Urban Transformations Lab, Department of Architecture, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seobu-ro, Suwon, 16419 South Korea
| | - Sara Borgström
- Division of Strategic Sustainability Studies (3S), Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering (SEED), KTH (Royal Institute of Technology), 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Megan Farrelly
- Human Geography, School of Social Sciences, Monash University, 20 Chancellors Walk, Building 11, W819, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
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