ABSTRACT
Based on the chapters of this book, we hope the reader agrees with us that sustainable energy landscapes are an uplifting and inspiring subject, arousing the enthusiasm of many scholars and experts. A ‚rst interesting observation concerns the multidisciplinary background of the authors involved and the scale at which they operate. One could state that energy landscapes bring together people that are traditionally engaged in different areas. Look at us, the editors, and you will see a landscape architect (Sven) collaborating with a building engineer (Andy). This book project was not our ‚rst endeavor together; over the past 5 years, we have collaborated in many research projects such as Synergy of Regional Planning and Exergy. From Sven’s point of view, energy was becoming an increasingly important factor in the planning and design of sustainable landscapes, whereas Andy noticed that the best improvements to the energy system could be made on a larger scale than his natural focus on buildings. And this is exactly what is happening: a new ‚eld is emerging-a ‚eld that brings together spatial planners and landscape architects, urban designers and architects, civil and building engineers, energy and exergy experts, economists, social and natural scientists, among many others. Rather than being another ‚eld for multidisciplinary research, the design of
CONTENTS
23.1 Welcome to a New Transdisciplinary Field ........................................... 491 23.2 Crucial Components of the New Field ................................................... 492
23.2.1 Understanding the Relationship between Energy and Landscape ....................................................................................... 492
23.2.2 Learning How to Design Sustainable Energy Landscapes ..... 493 23.2.3 Exploring Alternative Spatial Planning Approaches ............... 493 23.2.4 Validating the Impact through Case Studies ............................. 493 23.2.5 Conveying Knowledge and Experience ..................................... 494
23.3 And Now? ................................................................................................... 494
sustainable energy landscapes is becoming transdisciplinary, bringing together researchers, designers, and stakeholders with different disciplinary backgrounds. We believe that this presents a precondition for innovation in the ‚eld of energy landscapes, and sustainable innovation is what our world today needs.
