Sustainable urban regeneration based on energy balance

In this paper, results are reported of a technology assessment of the use and integration of decentralized energy systems and storage devices in an urban renewal area. First the general context of a different approach based on 'rethinking' and the incorporation of ongoing integration of coming economical and environmental interests on...

Cork and Sustainability: Discussing the Sustainable Use of the Material from a Design Perspective

There is the challenge to use materials in a more sustainable way. Even though cork has an interesting eco-profile as a material, other aspects contributing to an enhanced sustainable use of the resource are discussed:addressing the life-span of products, materials substitution, and the trend of materials development identified.

Sustainable mobility for tourists at the Dutch Coastal Islands (Waddeneilanden)

The European Coastal Islands around the North sea, are joined together in a project that stimulates sustainable development. Within this 'Cradle-to-Cradle Islands' project, some islands were selected as breading grounds for potentially sustainable projects. One of these projects was the development of a device for transport: the “Vrachtfiets”. A...

Creating the integral engineer: Combining development education, sustainability, entrepreneurship and technology at Delft University of Technology

A modern engineer is more than a technical specialist. Training an integral engineer requires education in non-technical skills, including social and ethical aspects. Therefore, Delft University of Technology (DUT) introduced sustainable development and entrepreneurship into its bachelor and master programs. The university of the future is...

Innovation and distributed economies for sustainable development: The example of the Northern Netherlands

The issue that is discussed in this paper is: what strategy can regional policymakers adopt to revive their regional economies with regard to international competition? The province of Fryslân, a North Netherlands economically peripheral region, aims to revive its economic structure. For this purpose an investment program in energy saving and...

Sustainable value chains for bamboo working communities: Integrating the tenets of sustainability through the Rhizome approach

There is a growing demand globally for products which impact sustainability positively. Bamboo fulfills these criteria, since it is a highly renewable timber replacement material which does not cause deforestation. It simultaneously has the potential to create livelihood opportunities for both the urban and rural poor. The eco-friendly potential...

Gaming for energy conservation in households

This paper presents a study about a ‘serious game’, “Energy Battle”, as a means to influence energy-related behavior in households. The Energy Battle is designed to engage home occupants in a fun way in energy conservation via a competition with other households. The challenge enabled home occupants to gain insight in their energy consumption...

Teaching pss in business practice: A win-win-win approach

This paper presents the findings gained through the implementation of the renewed Product Service Systems (PSS) course within the Design for Sustainability curriculum in 2010. Based upon the outcomes of our recent PSS research projects in practice and evaluation of the earlier PSS courses a new setup was proposed. The main starting point for...

Product service systems and sustainable mobility: An electric vehicle introduction case

A product service system (PSS) is a function-oriented business model aimed at providing sustainability of both consumption and production. A PSS is defined as a marketable set of products and services capable of jointly fulfilling user needs. In theory PSSs are normally shown realized with smart products. The first PSS were largely motivated by...