Sustainable Transformation – How can you embed “Gestalt” in Energy and LCA Simulation Models?

Abstract

Sustainable change in spatial planning is based on a three-column model that integrates environmental, economic and social dimensions to create balanced, resilient and future-oriented developments. When dealing with spatial sustainability, a fourth column can be added, focusing on the spatial "Gestalt". In order to simulate connections and interactions within these 4 dimensions for decision and planning support, we focus on digital decision and planning support tools that include visualisation environments for integrated planning approaches. A special focus is on spatial and energy integrated planning simulations to support local decision makers in strategic inward developments. Based on two examples from our research projects, the paper focuses on the methods used to integrate the design dimension into simulations and models that are otherwise dominated by quantitative methods and processes.