Towards a Landscape-based Regional Design Approach for Adaptive Transformation in Urbanizing Deltas

Nijhuis, S.; Xiong, L.; Cannatella, D.

doi:10.7480/rius.6.94

Towards a Landscape-based Regional Design Approach for Adaptive Transformation in Urbanizing Deltas

Title

Towards a Landscape-based Regional Design Approach for Adaptive Transformation in Urbanizing Deltas

Author

Nijhuis, S. (TU Delft Landscape Architecture)
Xiong, L. (TU Delft Urban Design)
Cannatella, D. (TU Delft Landscape Architecture)

Date

2020

Abstract

Deltaic areas are among the most promising regions in the world. Their
strategic location and superior quality of their soils are core factors supporting both human development and the rise of these regions as global economic hubs. At the same time, however, deltas are extremely vulnerable to multiple threats from both climate change and the rush to urbanization. These include an increased flood risk combined with the resulting loss of ecological and social-cultural values. The urbanization of deltas can be understood as a set of complex social-ecological systems (and subsystems), each with its own dynamics and speed of change. To ensure a more sustainable future for these areas, spatial strategies are needed to strengthen resilience, i.e. help the systems to cope with their vulnerabilities as well as enhance their capacity to overcome natural and artificial threats. In this article we elaborate a landscape based regional design approach for the adaptive urban transformation of urbanizing deltas, taking the Pearl River Delta as a case study. Based on an assessment of the dynamics of change regarding the transformational cycles of natural and urban landscape elements, eco-dynamic regional design strategies are explored to reveal greater opportunities for the exploitation of natural and social-cultural factors within the processes of urban development. Furthermore, adaptive transformational perspectives are identified to ensure reduced flood risk and inclusive socio-ecological design.

Subject

Adaptive urban planning
Pearl River Delta
Regional landscape design
Resilient urban planning and management
Transformation perspective
Water sensitive design

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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:04bc9f0e-40e7-4141-9833-6e6a7ec30257

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7480/rius.6.94

ISSN

1875-0192

Source

Research in Urbanism Series (online), 6, 55-80

Bibliographical note

Vol. 6 (2020): Inclusive Urbanism: Advances in research, education and practice. ISBN 978-94-6366-317-5