ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we depart from recalling early writings on the epochal transition toward a renewable energy era that seminal scholars envisioned to occur at the turn of the past two centuries (Hayes 1977, Van Til 1979). These groundbreaking writings initiated the discussion on the future perspectives of urban planning in relation to the transition toward a nonfossil era, providing in so doing a precious source of reµection for the current research in the ‚eld. The main intuition of these early authors was that a planning system designed to support a global energy transition would have required the combination of major involvement by the side of individuals and strong leadership by the side of decision makers, both based on a strong sense of commitment to the making of a more sustainable future (Van Til 1979).
