1st Edition

The Principles of Green Urbanism Transforming the City for Sustainability

Edited By Steffen Lehmann Copyright 2011
    900 Pages
    by Routledge

    How can we transform and future-proof the post-industrial city through strategies of architectural and urban design? The answer is to use an energy-efficient, zero-carbon model based on renewable energy sources and renewable building typologies. This book presents different models for sustainable urban growth, based on the principles of 'Green Urbanism'. Current and emergent forms of urbanism are influenced by climate change, leading to the idea of a new generation of 'zero-emission cities'. These cities are seen as applying new concepts in densification and expansion, designed with energy efficiency and sustainability as principal criteria. The aim of this type of 'Systems Thinking' is to connect and integrate sustainable design principles with a holistic idea for the future of our cities to generate future-proof strategies for the revitalization of the urban landscape. The first section of the book clearly explains these principles and how they can be employed, illustrated by clear diagrams for ease of comprehension. The principles as applied are then explored through in-depth case studies of the post-industrial Australian city of Newcastle, which is at an important juncture in its urban evolution. This is essential reading for urban designers, architects, landscape architects and researchers/students in these disciplines around the world.

    Contents Foreword I and II Preface Prologue Introduction : Can Urbanism Ever Be Green? Photo Series 1. Turning Constraints into Opportunities: 64 Cities and the Post-Industrial Condition 2. The Principles of Green Urbanism 3. The Case Studies - Putting it all Together 4. Looking Ahead to a Low-Carbon Future 5. Appendices Glossary Index

    Biography

    Professor Steffen Lehmann PhD, holds the UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development in Asia and the Pacific, as well as the Professorial Chair in Architectural Design at The University of Newcastle, Australia. He is an architect and urban designer, and the Founding Director of the s_Lab Space Laboratory for Architectural Research and Design (Sydney-Berlin).

    'A critical overview of ecological urbanism concepts, offering a methodology for sustainable design.' – Dr. Ken Yeang, architect, London/Kuala Lumpur

    'Steffen Lehmann has a long interest in sustainable cities design and his book provides a critical overview of ecological urbanism concepts, offering a methodology for sustainable design.'Dr. Ken Yeang, architect, London/Kuala Lumpur

    'When Newcastle gets around to changing itself into the city it might be, Steffen Lehmann's encyclopaedic text would make a forcible starting point... Lehmann fastidiously lays out the argument for compact, zero-carbon cities based on renewable energy sources, smart design of new structures and adaptive re-use of heritage buildings.' – The Newcastle Herald

    'This book is essential reading for architects, urban designers and researchers/ students in these areas around the world. This book shows how the post-industrialized city can be future-proofed and transformed through methods of architectural and urban design.' – Building Engineer

    'Obviously, for those of green persuasion, not much is lacking. As with Goakes’ (1987) related exposé of the aesthetics of townscape, the book is replete with concepts, methods and applications underpinned by personal conviction. It is well integrated, up to date and highly readable. Physical production is excellent, the photos are first-rate and navigation is straightforward. The intensive case study approach offers penetrating insights and breaks new ground.' – David Wadley, Australian Planner

    "... a useful resource for educators, practitioners, and students in the urban design and architecture fields looking for unconventional precedents and conceptual inspiration in their efforts to design the next sustainable city." - Deni Ruggeri, Journal of Planning and Education Research