In order to ensure the sustainable development of cities, the existing building stock has to be transformed to stay relevant to the changing needs of urban dwellers and to reduce the economic and environmental impacts of cities on the planet. Thus, innovating and developing a strategy that prepares the built environment for 2050 is of significant importance. On the other hand, a few researchers explored the problem of energy performance gap in retrofitted buildings due to a lack of knowledge in energy consumption and a proper way to access the data. Therefore, this study aims to deepen knowledge on the relationship and interaction between the end-user and building’s energy performance, thereby contributing to the academic discussion on the energy performance paradox of retrofitted buildings. With the help of various smart energy tools, it is possible to acquire better insight and to regulate the energy performance of the building with respect to thermal comfort and occupant well-being. This study presents the importance of energy sufficiency through passive design and BMS implementation as a path towards those goals by answering the following main research question ‘How to integrate the Building Management Systems (BMS) requirements to optimize the energy performance and user satisfaction in retrofitted residential buildings?’ Through a case study, the outcome of this master thesis is achieved: A strategic approach towards energy sufficient building design that focusses on adding value to the environment, economy and end-users. By promoting the right ecological solutions and having a conscious user behaviour, energy can be consumed efficiently whereas temperatures are kept at a very comfortable level. The MOR Team’s proposal for the Rotterdam Europoint Complex is an example of self-sufficient high-rise tower relying solely on renewable energy: High performance, Low energy. ... Read more

Rapid urbanisation and globalisation are bringing increasingly complex issues to the forefront. Improper planning of human activities and over exploitation of the surrounding natural resources has successfully damaged the biodiversity and the natural processes. Today humanity is at a stage where these ecosystem services are essential for our existence but the resources have been exploited beyond their capacity. In addition, climate change adds additional long-term threats due to erratic weather patterns and extreme natural events. Coastal Lagoons are one such geographical feature where such complexities are very visible. Given the high fertility of the surrounding land and the biodiversity hosted by the lagoons, they are rich resource banks for settlements to thrive on. This has led to issues like water pollution, loss of biodiversity and urban encroachment. Despite protection from the international communities like the Ramsar Convention, most wetlands are degrading everyday. The need of the hour is to find innovative middle ground solutions, where the services can be availed without degrading the environment. Further, to plan these services in a way that they are instrumental in reviving and enriching the lost ecosystem. This project attempts to present on such design and strategy for the Muni-Pomadze Lagoon (MPL) in Ghana. Considering the complexity of the issues, the project chose a interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to produce a holistic solution for the site. Further, it uses the principles of Nature-Based Design and 4-P framework (People, Planet, Prosperity and Project) to guide and reflect on the design. (van Dorst & Duijvestein 2004) This report attempts to contribute to the research on interdisciplinary design processes. Further, it aims to be a starting point and guideline for the Forestry Commission and Municipal body of Winneba, for better conservation of the Muni Lagoon. ... Read more

The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake had a devastating impact on the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, resulting in 1,234 immediate deaths and 59.6% of residential houses being fully damaged amongst other severe consequences. The post-disaster Reconstruction Plan (2011-2018) of this town focused on rebuilding the previously existing town with large-scale engineered interventions, resulting in a fragmented set of spatial interventions which solve problems in a single faceted way. The management of a post-tsunami reconstruction process should represent a resilient design for the future. This paper demonstrates that a modified land use design, developed and achieved through an interdisciplinary approach, represents a holistic solution to the drawbacks of the reconstruction plan. Through an iterative framework, site-specific strategies are developed at the urban and the building scale that combine safety and livability by finding synergies among disciplinary fields in an integrated manner. The result of this paper is a quantified evaluation of the reduction in flood risk achieved with a new design, making spatially evident the areas in which a refinement is required to mitigate flood damage.
Subject: tsunami; interdisciplinary; resilience; spatial planning; strategy
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