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Project Sample Booklet - 2011Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & DesignCreating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
2
The foundation of all of our work is sci-entific research. From this solid base, we help businesses and society move towards sustainability, create inspiring designs and devise practical, affordable and innovative solutions.
Drawing on our network of associates and partner organizations, we can develop proj-ects from concept to execution. With experts located on four continents we embrace local knowledge and global solutions.
Symbiosis in Design (SiD) is a new meth-odology developed in-house by Except for solving complex, multifaceted problems.
SiD enables the integration of knowledge from a wide variety of disciplines, makes new re-lationships visible, and allows solution imple-mentations that optimize any system, from logistics to food, and from building to policy. Read more about Symbiosis in Design on our website: www.except.nl.
Except is a partner for those wishing to lead the way towards a sustainable future. Since 1999 our multi-disciplinary team of consultants, researchers, and designers has offered the complete range of services required for sustainable development for businesses, governments and NGOs.
We develop strategies and concepts for the future of cities, industries, policy, design, food, CSR strategy, and more, charting a path through the complexities of sustainability. With our clients and partners we explore the full landscape of possible solutions for the future of companies, governments, and humanity.
Sustainability Think Tank
Design & Development
Research & Consulting
Marketing & Communication
Process
What is Except?
Method
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Except develops autonomous projects as var-ied as software tools for sustainability assess-ment and carbon footprinting, books, confer-ences and other public events. These projects are released under the Creative Commons licensing system, making them available to ev-eryone as open source knowledge.
Except works closely with clients, partners, and stakeholders in a collaborative setting. SiD steers this collaborative process, and bal-ances research and creativity.
This booklet contains a sampling of our proj-ects from Except’s last 10 years.
Collaboration and Open Source
Our Services
◦ Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) and Business Strategy
◦ Integrated Sustainability Reviews
◦ Life Cycle Consulting and LCA
◦ Indicator Design
◦ Material Flow Analyses and Opti-
mizations
◦ Environmental Engineering
◦ Ecological Research
◦ Policy Development & Review
◦ Communication Strategy
◦ Facilitation and Group
Processes
◦ Process & Methodology Design
and Review
◦ Sustainability Workshops
◦ Photography & Visualization
◦ Animation & Video Production
◦ Graphic Design & Pre-press
Consulting & Research
◦ Architecture
◦ Urban Design & Planning
◦ Industrial and Product Design
◦ Landscape Architecture
◦ Agricultural & Ecosystem Design
Design & Development Marketing & Communication
Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & DesignCreating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
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Re-development of post-war social housing into a resilient, autonomous communitySustainable Schiebroek-Zuid
Sustinable Schiebroek-Zuid is a sustainability vision for the post-war social housing area Schiebroek-Zuid in Rotterdam. The project, commissioned by housing corporation Vestia and agricultural re-search network InnovatieNetwerk provides a roadmap for converting the neighborhood into a self-sufficient, resilient and sustainable area.
As a first of its kind, the Sustainable Schiebroek-Zuid project provides a template approach to converting a commonly problematic housing typology into a beautiful, equitable and resilient sustainable community, and makes all research publicly available. The plan combines socio-economic programs and proven tech-nologies to create a closed-loop urban metabolism (see diagram on the right). The plan focuses on aug-menting existing social and physical structures rather than a tabula-rasa approach.
All energy and water are locally provided and most wastes are handled on site. Local agriculture is the “biological engine” that drives many aspects of the plan, such as energy generation, nutrition, education, recreation, social programs, and local economic activities. The ingredients include many social programs for neighborhood target groups such as the elderly, children, teenagers, immigrants, and entrepreneurs. Using a combination of biogas-fueled power plants, solar installations, and heat capture from rooftop green-houses, the area can supply all of its required electricity and heat.
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The above diagram shows the closed loop metabolism in the neighborhood. Below an artist impression of the new neighborhood center, featuring greenhouses, water sports, elderly programs, and on the foreground elements of the ur-ban farming areas. Top-left shows the central marketplace, school, rooftop greenhouses and rainwater cascade system.
Wood Stoves
Housing Blocks1500 residents
1 HectareHydroponicGreenhouse
Landscaping /At-grade Gardens
1 HectareFish
Aquaponics
Ground - SourceHeat Pump
Aerobic Processing(composting)
Anaerobic Processing(biogas digestion)
Biogassification
Process / Technology
KEY
Sedimentation Tank
Living Machine
Bioswale
Beehives (20)
CHP Plants
PV Cells2600 m²
Solar Water Heaters4000 m²
Filtration & Purification
Off-Site Materials
Other, e.g. building materials
Reuse
Recycling
Consumer Goods
chickens (egg production)
vegetables & fruit
fish
honey
outputs
wastewater
wastewater
wastewater
wastewater
compost
compost
worms
biogasblack water
grey water
sludge
urine
solid waste
inorganic waste inorganic waste
waste
irrigation water
organic waste
organic waste
berries, nuts, greens, treefruit
water runoff from hard surfaces
inputs
heat
electricity
hot water
purified water
sunlight
willows
rainwater
CO2
pure water
benificial insects
filtered runoff water
food
rainwater
211 GJ
1.477 GJ
24.903 GJ
830 GJ
13.688.000 L
23.622.800 L
29.534.000 L
6.932 GJ
3.945.000 kg
3.500.000 kg
500 kg 500 kg
150.000 kg
150.000 kg500.000 kg
19.600.000 L10.950.000 L
500.000 kg
500.000 kg
123.000 kg
300.000 kg
manure
6.457.500 kg
used as fertilizer
11.700 kg
750.000 L
Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & DesignCreating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
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Transportation Terminal + City Park, San Francisco, USA - 2007 - Under ConstructionSan Francisco Transbay Transit Center
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Except developed the concept of an ecological-services park as a way to refurbish the old transportation center in San Francisco. Currently the largest ecological roof park in the world, Except’s Transbay Terminal concept helped Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects win the de-cade’s largest architectural contest - the Transbay Terminal competition.
The park is sited in a dense inner city area, on top of one of the largest transportation terminals in the US. Natural ventilation systems remove fine particulates from the underground air, while the landscape above helps sequester other forms of air pollution, including CO2. All rainwater is cap-tured and filtered for use on site. Funiculars carry people from grade up to the park.
Construction of the terminal is scheduled to be complete in 2015.
Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & DesignCreating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
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This sketch of the life cycle of a tomato was developed as part of the design for a sustain-able food tool. Once complete, this tool will allow our client to factor in environmental impact criteria when making company food purchases.
Life cycle thinking can be used in almost every aspect of decision making for sustainability. From picking construction materials for a new building to selecting supply chain partners, this mental approach can provide key insights on the impact of our choices. In addition to consulting on life cycle thinking, we are also experts in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the formal impact analysis tool for product chains.
Nitrogen (as NO3) Fertilizer Production
Phosphate Fertilizer (P2O5) Production
Potash Fertilizer (K2O) Production
Polyethylene Mulch Production
Pesticide Production
Soil Preparation
NO3 Fertilizer
P205 Fertilizer
K20 Fertilizer
Seeds
Transplant Seeding
Trays
Tray Sterilization
Copper Solution
Lime
Boron
FieldGrown Tomato Life Cycle Scheme
Polyethylene Mulch
eg., Methyl bromide (67%) + chloropiricin (33%)
200 - 250 lbs / acre
200 - 250 lbs / acre
to pH 6.1- 6.5
0.5 - 1 lb / acre
200 lbs / acre
Transplant Culturing
Starter Soil
Transplants
4,000 seedlings / acre
Staking & Irrigation Prep.
Growth Phase
Herbicide Production
Fungicide Production
Pesticide Production Various Pesticides
Various Herbicides
Various Fungicides
Water Treatment with Cl
Stakes
Twine
Treated Water
Irrigation System
30 lbs / acre
Harvesting
Green Tomatoes
Pink Tomatoes
Red Tomatoes
ChillingChilling Chilling
Ethylene Treatment
En
GhG
Wt
rTPackaged Tomatoes
Packaging PackagingPackaging
Additional Pest Control
Additional Pest Control
Additional Pest Control
Packaging
Ethylene
Packaging Manufacture (primary, secondary, tertiary)En
Wa
Ma
GhG
Ws
TPackaging Disposal
Wastewater TreatmentConsumption TT
Ws
T
GhG
Retail
Discarded Packaging T
En
Wa
Ma
GhG
Ws En
GhG
Ma
EnWa
Ma
GhGWs
Ws
En
En
Wa
Ma
Lu
En
Wa
Ma
Ma
Chemical Input Production
Post−Harvest Processing
En
WaMa
GhG
Wt
GhG
Ws
Wa
Adapted from various regional farming guides© Eva Gladek 2009
Nitrogen (as NO3) Fertilizer Production
Phosphate Fertilizer (P2O5) Production
Potash Fertilizer (K2O) Production
Polyethylene Mulch Production
Pesticide Production
Soil Preparation
NO3 Fertilizer
P205 Fertilizer
K20 Fertilizer
Seeds
Transplant Seeding
Trays
Tray Sterilization
Copper Solution
Lime
Boron
FieldGrown Tomato Life Cycle Scheme
Polyethylene Mulch
eg., Methyl bromide (67%) + chloropiricin (33%)
200 - 250 lbs / acre
200 - 250 lbs / acre
to pH 6.1- 6.5
0.5 - 1 lb / acre
200 lbs / acre
Transplant Culturing
Starter Soil
Transplants
4,000 seedlings / acre
Staking & Irrigation Prep.
Growth Phase
Herbicide Production
Fungicide Production
Pesticide Production Various Pesticides
Various Herbicides
Various Fungicides
Water Treatment with Cl
Stakes
Twine
Treated Water
Irrigation System
30 lbs / acre
Harvesting
Green Tomatoes
Pink Tomatoes
Red Tomatoes
ChillingChilling Chilling
Ethylene Treatment
En
GhG
Wt
rTPackaged Tomatoes
Packaging PackagingPackaging
Additional Pest Control
Additional Pest Control
Additional Pest Control
Packaging
Ethylene
Packaging Manufacture (primary, secondary, tertiary)En
Wa
Ma
GhG
Ws
TPackaging Disposal
Wastewater TreatmentConsumption TT
Ws
T
GhG
Retail
Discarded Packaging T
En
Wa
Ma
GhG
Ws En
GhG
Ma
EnWa
Ma
GhGWs
Ws
En
En
Wa
Ma
Lu
En
Wa
Ma
Ma
Chemical Input Production
Post−Harvest Processing
En
WaMa
GhG
Wt
GhG
Ws
Wa
Adapted from various regional farming guides© Eva Gladek 2009
Nitrogen (as NO3) Fertilizer Production
Phosphate Fertilizer (P2O5) Production
Potash Fertilizer (K2O) Production
Polyethylene Mulch Production
Pesticide Production
Soil Preparation
NO3 Fertilizer
P205 Fertilizer
K20 Fertilizer
Seeds
Transplant Seeding
Trays
Tray Sterilization
Copper Solution
Lime
Boron
FieldGrown Tomato Life Cycle Scheme
Polyethylene Mulch
eg., Methyl bromide (67%) + chloropiricin (33%)
200 - 250 lbs / acre
200 - 250 lbs / acre
to pH 6.1- 6.5
0.5 - 1 lb / acre
200 lbs / acre
Transplant Culturing
Starter Soil
Transplants
4,000 seedlings / acre
Staking & Irrigation Prep.
Growth Phase
Herbicide Production
Fungicide Production
Pesticide Production Various Pesticides
Various Herbicides
Various Fungicides
Water Treatment with Cl
Stakes
Twine
Treated Water
Irrigation System
30 lbs / acre
Harvesting
Green Tomatoes
Pink Tomatoes
Red Tomatoes
ChillingChilling Chilling
Ethylene Treatment
En
GhG
Wt
rTPackaged Tomatoes
Packaging PackagingPackaging
Additional Pest Control
Additional Pest Control
Additional Pest Control
Packaging
Ethylene
Packaging Manufacture (primary, secondary, tertiary)En
Wa
Ma
GhG
Ws
TPackaging Disposal
Wastewater TreatmentConsumption TT
Ws
T
GhG
Retail
Discarded Packaging T
En
Wa
Ma
GhG
Ws En
GhG
Ma
EnWa
Ma
GhGWs
Ws
En
En
Wa
Ma
Lu
En
Wa
Ma
Ma
Chemical Input Production
Post−Harvest Processing
En
WaMa
GhG
Wt
GhG
Ws
Wa
Adapted from various regional farming guides© Eva Gladek 2009
Life Cycle ConsultingApplying life cycle thinking to company strategy and product design
9
Corporate Social ResponsibilityDeveloping management and communication strategies for companies
Except has consulted various multinationals and governments on CSR strategy and policy. Examples include the cosmetics company Estée Lauder, Cognis (BASF) and packaging pro-ducer Smurfit-Kappa, as well as several small to medium businesses.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a new field of management and strategy for com-panies wishing to become part of the larger social transition to sustainability. The graphic above was developed for a corporate client who needed insight on how to set sustainability goals for the next decade. We help companies develop personal visions and strategies for moving towards sustainability. Every company is different, and our first priority is to really understand each company’s culture and specific needs. Our work ranges from conducting background research to devising compre-hensive communication strategies to writing annual CSR reports.
Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & DesignCreating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
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Greenhouse Planning & DesignVenlo, the Netherlands - 2010 - in development
Venlo is one of the gateways to the Netherlands. In this border town, the current scattered and inaccessible greenhouse sector is preparing itself for a creative rebirth. In the near fu-ture, this area may well be regarded as the national hub of inspiring and sustainable green-house agriculture.
The plan emerging from our preliminary research and consulting work in Venlo would result in a greenhouse industry that adds to biodiversity, is a beautiful and enjoyable asset to the landscape, cares for water, can generate its own energy, and close nutrient cycles. No doubt, it would also be a spectacular place to go for a picnic.
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Converting our existing building stock into the sustainable built environment of the future is one of the most exciting challenges of this era. Building upon old structures rather than following a cycle of demolition and newbuild has many advantages. It allows us to retain the value and culture of existing stock, maximize the material and economic utility of exist-ing structures, preserve the Genus-Loci of each area, and make smarter phasing possible. Huge environmental gains are made by simultaneously converting existing structures into zero-impact designs.
Except has deverloped a variety of building conversion designs and strategies on structures in-cluding: single family houses, prisons, 60s office blocks, and old factories and warehouses. These can be made entirely energy-neutral or energy-positive, water-neutral, as well as redesigned into highly attractive urban architectural spaces.
Sustainable Building ConversionVarious projects 1999 - 2010
Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & DesignCreating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
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This project for Weslyan University resulted in a new typology, a unique environment, and several new approaches to sustainable design. The Wesleyan Museum design demonstrates that buildings constructed for extreme durability can, in fact, elegantly support the need for flexible programming. The structure integrates the latest science, an innovative use of ma-terials, and world-class architecture.
The museum sets new standards for zero-energy buildings. It is designed as much for the pres-ent as for the future, with flexible layouts, precise controls for lighting and climate, and expressive gallery spaces. Ancient Egyptian building techniques are combined with the latest innovations to achieve both the flexibility that changing collections require, an open and pleasant space for visi-tors, and zero net energy requirements.
Wesleyan Teaching MuseumSustainable Educational Museum, Middeltown, CT, USA - 2007
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Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & DesignCreating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
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On the steep slope of a ravine system in Toronto, Canada, Except planned and designed a non-religious place for contemplation, introspection, and shared spiritual expression. This ecological chapel, where humans and nature are invited to coexist, is exemplary of a non-technologically-focused way of building sustainably.
The chapel is designed to engage visitors on a variety of levels by weaving together light, water, music, and nature. The strong symbolism of the chapel’s structure, depicted through the broken concentric pattern of the paths and wall structures, is continued in the material selection and the building’s functional operations. Adding further to its ecological credentials, the chapel has been designed for natural ventilation, self-contained water treatment, and as an anti-erosion structure that preserves local topsoil.
Centrum Ecological ChapelCultural Center, Toronto, Canada - 2008
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Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & DesignCreating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
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Co-locating the places we work, live, play, and run errands leads to lively and exciting cities. This co-location reduces the need for transportation outside the area, which can strength-en local communities and cut environmental impacts. Except creates new typologies that combine smart programming and beneficial ecosystems with attractive architecture to help make these next generation habitats a reality.
BKCity is a magnificent listed monument of more than 30.000m2 functioning as the faculty of Ar-chitecture of the TU Delft. The BK City Slim Project provided an ideal opportunity to apply Except’s integrated approach to sustainable refurbishment.
Except created a phased plan to make a historic educational building energy and carbon neutral within ten years, while converting the building into a didactic tool that puts sustainability at the heart of education for the generations of architects that will pass through its halls.
Consult: BKCity TUDelft Faculty BuildingRefurbishing the Technical University of Delft’s architecture faculty building
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Aardgas Aardolie
Steenkool
Duurzaam < 6%
Energieverbruik NL 2008
19951990 2000 2005 2015 20202009
! !!!Kyoto 2020 (-20%)
Kopenhagen 2020 (-50%)
Kopenhagen 2080 (-80%)
200
100
MTon CO2 Equiv.
61.4%
22.4%
16.4%
5
10
15
20
25
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MTon CO2 / Jrper persoon
De Nederlandse CO2 Situatie...
CO2 import
CO2 export
Co2 in NL geprodu-ceerd, product
geexporteerd
Vise versa
Rotterdam
Amsterdam
Provincies zijn indicatief
CO 2 Em
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ctor 2008
+www.except.nl www.posad.nl©
Research: Environmental PolicyScientific analysis in areas from international policy to new technologies
Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & DesignCreating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
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Top 10 Chemical Intermediates & Derivatives
Dimethyl TerepthalateDMT13% - 10.500 million
1,2-DichloroethaneEthylene Dichloride42% - 35.000 million
Vinyl ChlorideChloroethene96% - 33.600 million
Vinyl Dichloride53% - 18.000 million
PVC98% - 17.500 million
2% Ethylene Amines
2% Copolymers & others
1% Chlorinated Solvents
11% ABS & SAN5% uns. polyester resins
12% SBR & SB Latex
Vinyl BenzeneStyrene14% - 12.000 million
PolystyrenePolyphenylethene66% - 8.000 million
17% Polyester Film
13% Other
11% Ethanolamines
2% Alpha-Methylstyrene
11% Ethoxylates (surfactants)
21% Other
12% PBT
20% Polyester Fibers
- > PET38% - 4.000 million
-> MTBE37% - 3.300 million
40% Ecetic Acid & Others
-> Formaldehyde23% - 2.000 million
Formaldehyde12.500 million
Urea Formaldehyde24% - 3.000 million
Gasoline octane enhancers95% - 24.200 million
17% Phenol Formaldehyde
13% Polyacetal Resins
11% 1,4 Butanediol7% 1,4 Methylene Diisocyanate
5% Other
24% Other
MTBEMethyl tert-butyl ether24.700 million
Methanol Methyl Alcohol (synth)11% - 9.000 million
-> Other Methanol
-> Other Methanol
-> Water
-> Isobutylene
Ethylene OxideEpoxyethane11% - 9.000 million
-> Ethylene Glycol57% - 5.100 million
Phenol / Acetone98% - 8.300 million
IsopropylbenzeneCumene10% - 8.500 million
Ethylene Glycol8.200 million
PET34% 2.800 million +38% 4.000 million
26% Antifreeze
24% Polyester Fibers9% Other
Except produces peer-review-quality research on a large range of topics. Some of this work is done directly for clients who are looking for basic data and some is done as part of our project work with specific designs in mind. We also perform autonomous research to keep our own knowledge base sharp and up-to-date and to develop cutting edge tools that antici-pate future development.
The diagram above shows the top ten global flows of chemicals and their derivatives. It was de-veloped during a feasibility study for a green chemistry program in the cleaning products sector.
Research: Industry & MaterialsScientific analysis in areas from international policy to new technologies
19
Research: Energy & TechnologyScientific analysis in areas from international policy to new technologies
semi/arid
water evaporates water is retained solar induced convection stack effect pulls air through turbinecool air drawn in
agricultural possibilites
Turbine
Chimney
Clear Plastic Membrane
>= 1m
% reflected
Cable Stay
>=
2m
200m
0.5 ~ 10km
cool climate
PV layer shades streetsprimary layer heats streets generate air flow through city
hot climate
primary layer
air filters
PV layer
Except develops concepts, research and design of renewable energy technologies. The above is an example of solar wind tower innovation research performed in 2007. In addition to novel solar and wind technologies we work on bio based energy solutions coupled with closing local resource cyles to feed such systems sustainably.
The above diagram show two novel uses of a solar updraft tower, one in combination with (subsis-tence) farming and the other in an urban context related to air quality and filtration.
Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & DesignCreating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
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Growth Planning 2.0 is Except’s new strategy for area development and city planning based on organic growth, maximizing spatial potential and new investment models. It allows for sustainable development to take place in a realistic framework of growth, while maximizing quality, value, and user participation over a long-term planning period.
Growth Planning 2.0Next Generation Sustainable City Planning - 2008
Fase I
Start Impuls
2e Impuls3e Impuls
4e Impuls
5e Impuls
Fase II Fase III Fase IV Fase V
t½ t
groe
i
Investering
Investering
Traditionele Investering
Geplande Groei
2010 2017 2024 2038 2052
Dichtheid
Wonen
Business
Faciliteiten
Educatie / Wetenschap
Cultuur / Creatief
Bodem Vervuiling
Lichte Industrie
Eerste waterzuivering
Forward-osmosis zuivering
Centrale WKK
Nieuwe Infrastructuur
Uitbreiding Net naar Zaandam
Kopenhagen Protocol Gehaald
Kyoto Protocol Gehaald
Geothermaal1e Compostcentrale
Verticale Agricultuur
1e WindTrap
WindKoppel
Air-Monorail pods
Net open
Zonnecollectoren
Photovoltaische Centrale
Photo-focus-volt Centrale
Photofusie biopunten
Water autonoom
Tijd
Socio-Economie
WaterZon
AardeLucht
Traditional city planning has largely failed at accu-
rately foreseeing the needs of future communities.
Most city plans take their final shape 10 to 50 years
from the moment they are launched, a sufficiently
long time span for the world to have become an en-
tirely different place.
Moreover, recent observations of area planning projects
have revealed that no matter how creative or insightful
the initial plan, standard planning generally results in
communities lacking strong economic motors - insuf-
ficiently adaptable to changing conditions and often
possessing limited urban quality. This project intro-
duces an entirely new approach to planning. Rather
than defining specific programmatic requirements,
Growth Planning instead applies socio-economic im-
pulses to the area within certain performance edge
conditions. It revolutionzes the task of city design by
requiring the urban fabric to organically respond to
market stimuli, and allows for increased value, quality,
and development over time.
21
Growth Planning vs. Investment PlanningThe core of traditional investment planning is to assign various programs to portions of a map. Housing, offices, com-
mercial zones, services, and open space are combined by designers into a mix that is to result in the “ideal” neigh-
borhood or city for a certain location. A great deal of knowledge is available on how to plan properly, but most of this
knowledge is abstract and has little to do with observed growth and development patterns.
Using the growth planning approach, we avoid pre-determining an area’s program, and instead allow it to evolve on
its own in response to local needs. To achieve this, we apply planned socio-economic stimuli to the region in order to
encourage investment and growth in the area. These stimuli can take almost any form other than the construction of
physical structures. For example: the creation of land co-ops, festivals or gatherings, educational programs, etc. Com-
munity participation is encouraged in this phase.
These stimuli are directed and managed over time to let the area grow and develop. While the stimuli are a planned
component, the exact physical manifestation of the area is not. Personal initiative as well as corporate investment are
both encouraged.
Performance targets rather than regulationsA secondary essential component of this kind of planning is the establishment of strict performance goals and boundary
constraints. For example, one such requirement adopted in the case of one of our projects is that no energy be imported
- in any form, which includes electricity - across the border of the development. These edge conditions are intended to
push the area aggressively in the direction of sustainability, by requiring cutting edge and creative solutions from those
who choose to develop in the area, without predescribing specific technical solutions.
Sustainable Growth DevelopmentThis kind of performance-oriented approach to sustainability, with a focus on preserving monuments, safety, and other
concerns, allows us to discard a great number of unnecessary regulations. Locally-tailored solutions can be developed
using the knowledge of the local population and stakeholders. Another example of a boundary condition for sustainabil-
ity is to place prevent waste from leaving the site. It does not matter what solutions are sought to these preconditions, or
how the agents within the area resolve their needs for resources. As long as these conditions are met, the area will be an
exemplary development. Because technology evolves much faster than rules and laws can keep up with, it is likely that
a situation much closer to optimal sustainable development than seen in traditionally planned areas.
City Design 2.0A large area in the north of the Netherlands pre-sented a unique opportunity for this radically new approach to city planning. Various parties worked together to restructure an abandoned area with many monument-status buildings. Ex-cept partnered with social housing corporations, local government officials, and developers to develop the growth planning concept and apply it in this unusual location.
Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & DesignCreating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
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Shanghai currently faces a number of pressing problems, including pollution, high traffic, the need for housing, the loss of agricultural land, and runaway development. This urban masterplan integrates solutions to all of these key issues. It also reconnects the Lilongs, historical social housing districts, with a new urban metabolism. The focus on urban agricul-ture creates new opportunities for the local inhabitants, most of whom are poor agricultural migrants.
The masterplan uses vertical farming as a central component of an integrated solution that ad-dresses infrastructure, water supply. energy generation, groundwater cleaning, community build-ing, economic development, mixed use city development, and traffic infrastructure. The plan al-lows for the distribution of many “seeds” of sustainable growth within the area, which contain all of the aforementioned components, and which give the local inhabitants all they need to grow and recreate the city from within.
Shanghai Sustainable MasterplanIntegrated Renovation, Urban Agriculture & Renewal Plan - 2007
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Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & DesignCreating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureIntegrated Sustainability Consulting & Design
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Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureConsulting & Research // Architecture & Planning
Creating the Foundation for a Sustainable FutureConsulting & Research // Architecture & Planning
e: [email protected]: www.except.nlt: +31 (0) 10 7370215
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Integrated Sustainability