Open AccessStructuring a new paradigm: from Mixed Use Developments to Integrated Urban Ecosystems
Author(s) -
Tono Fernández Usón,
Victoria Fernández-Añez
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
iop conference series. earth and environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1755-1307
pISSN - 1755-1315
DOI - 10.1088/1755-1315/588/5/052044
Subject(s) - sustainability , urban design , scope (computer science) , structuring , urban metabolism , environmental planning , population , human settlement , urban planning , business , environmental resource management , urban density , architectural engineering , engineering , computer science , civil engineering , geography , sociology , environmental science , ecology , demography , finance , biology , programming language , waste management
Cities are key to achieve sustainability, concentrating more than the half of the world population, in what seems today an uncontrolled, irreversible and challenging urban expansion. Whether we choose a non-planning perspective or a structured one, sustainable urban design become a must for human environment. Mixed-Use Developments (MUD) raised decades ago as a supposed spark that could enlighten the design of our settlements, initially focused on density and walkability to address energy, liveability, health or safety challenges. Analysing literature on MUD methodologies and results, it seems clear that an excessive focus on design has reduced its potential to achieve sustainability. The concept must be widened: a) from land use to human being experience, integrating the different stakeholders in the process b) from stratified 2D land uses to flexible 3D activities guided by real time data in 24/7 updated urban regulations c) from urban morphology to a transversal vision that combines disciplines initially considered far away from design d) from compliance with energy standards, to a complex approach focused on achieving the SDGs, e) from isolated self-profitable market operations to enlarged understandings of sustainable socioeconomic balances based on circular economy principles and e) from energy certificates to urban systems integrated in their socio-cultural, environmental and economic framework. This huge shift on the scope commits the MUDs to give way to the Integrated Urban Ecosystems (IUE), synthetizing this new approach in a conceptual model. The model becomes a tool to support reflection, design and communication with stakeholders. Taking it as a basis, a set of urban design principles are structured in a Sustainable Design Matrix combining sustainability (through the SDGs) with disruptive transdisciplinary approaches. Finally, the global to local transference overlaps the cultural and societal layers to produce affordable and scalable solutions. IUEs potential to leapfrog to more sustainable and resilient human settlements is discussed and conclusions extracted.