Economic Themes (2023) 61 (1) 3, 41-61

PLANNING FOR CLIMATE–BENIGN CITIES – DESIGN OF A MIND MAP FOR SMART ENERGY TRANSITION


Karima Kourtit, Peter Nijkamp, Henk Scholten

Abstract: Local energy transition initiatives – as part of a broader climate-benign and sustainability policy – have become a focal point of future-oriented resource and environmental strategies. Place-based energy conversion however, has turned out to be a very complicated task, from both a governance and research perspective. The present study seeks to sketch out the contours of local sustainable energy planning, with a particular emphasis on (i) practical data and evidence-based information requirements, (ii) the involvement and engagement of citizens and stakeholders, and (iii) the great research potential provided by digital information technology. To that end, a comprehensive mind map for energy transition is depicted, inspired by first experiments in the city of Rotterdam.

Keywords:  energy transition; climate-benign cities; local energy mind map; citizen participation; Pentagon model; diabolo model; e-compass; digital tools; local energy scenario’s

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