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Learning from the past, designing for the future : sustainability of the Mediterranean vernacular
(2020)
With climate change and the depleting ozone layer, awareness about protecting the environment is increasing and “Sustainable Architecture” is becoming an essential part of the architectural future of cities. However, sustainable buildings of today are being built with high cost, high tech systems which can be reduced by taking advantage of past technologies and systems. The brilliance of vernacular architecture and the way man adapted to his surroundings fascinated me and inspired me to do further research on the sustainable characteristics of vernacular settlements of the Mediterranean area in order to determine if these characteristics can be applied to present and future architecture in an innovative way to create sustainable buildings with least possible energy consumption.
The method of research was based upon a general analysis of the passive design (solar and wind) characteristics of a town or settlement in Mediterranean climate starting from its site elements such as topography, vegetation, water. After that its urban structure, such as the geometry, block and street orientation and dimensions. Following that, the dwelling characteristics like dwelling shape, orientation and dimensions and finally the thermal regulating elements found in these dwellings, such as windows and vegetation. These elements were given a score according to their contribution to energy savings in buildings. Four case studies were chosen: two vernacular case studies from the region of study (the Mediterranean Coasts) and two modern case studies inspired by the Mediterranean vernacular. The analysis was repeated in the same sequence mentioned: Site, Settlement, Dwelling, Element, for the actual performance of each case study. The elements were given a number of points out of the score assigned for each element in the general analysis.
A total score and rating for each case study resulted from this analysis. The objective of these scores were to compare the performance of the vernacular case studies to the vernacular inspired case studies in terms of energy savings. The final scores displayed comparable results between both types of case studies meaning that when these modern settlements were designed with an influence from the Mediterranean vernacular, their performance in energy savings was close to that of a vernacular settlement. That means that it is possible to design settlements which are influenced by vernacular settlements and can even defeat them by following the general guidelines of the vernacular passive design characteristics in addition to modern tools and innovative methods. These guidelines can be reflected in a handbook and rating system which can become a simple step by step guide for architects and planners to design sustainable settlements without the need for expensive and complicated rating systems and consultants.
Strategic Environmental Assessment in regional land use planning (here: SEA-REP) is a systematic process in Germany, which aims at an optimisation of the integration of environmental policies into decision-making at regional scale. It therefore plays an essential role for the comparison of site alternatives, and the implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures of negative effects of both regional development and climate change. Significant findings and personal experiences gained in an INTERREG project (‛transSEA’) created a fundamental basis for this doctoral research. The main objective was to develop the ‛LUCCA’ indicator system, which is a result of an analysis of land use types, that are increasingly important for effects of global climate change, and should therefore adapt to future conditions with regional land use planning. This system was developed from current German practice of the methodological application of SEA-REP in the core assessment of site-specific impacts on the affected area and impact zone. Main objectives were to integrate spatial effects of climate change into SEA-REP, and to develop a method to make particularly the tendency of physical degradation of natural resources in a region transparent. The research was based on a comprehensive analysis of best practice of SEA and assessment methods applied in German case studies of regional land use planning. Proposed was a a two-tiered environmental baseline- and objective-led approach of impact assessment. Its first tier is a site-specific assessment of significant impacts of regional plan designations and their alternatives. An environmental conflict analysis has the aim to apply assessment thresholds of conflict intensity for each impact factor affecting the importance of assessed components of LUCCA. Results are three classes of conflict intensity, which were determined and can be measured with the help of state indicators, impact indicators and assessment thresholds. 12 LUCCA indicators were defined in connection to regional environmental orientation objectives, environmental components, land uses and further criteria for indicator selection. The second tier is represented by an overall strategic assessment of the regional plan and its designation criteria. This assessment additionally considers positive and cumulative impacts, as well as structural alternatives. The result of the research is a standard concept for environmental orientation objectives, guidance indicators and assessment ranges for the LUCCA indicator system. Regional environmental orientation objectives, which represent outcome values of the future state of environment, were derived from existent environmental quality objectives and environmental quality standards. For each LUCCA indicator mitigation and adaptation measures of regional planning and requirements for tiering to SEA of lower land use planning were proposed. Recommendations for vital and critical action are addressed to competent national and regional authorities of spatial and sector planning. These involve the direct integration of concerns of climate change into SEA-REP, the regional operationalisation of environmental objectives for adaptation to climate change, an improved cooperation between spatial and sector planners concerned with the future use of land and resources, and, last but not least, an involvement of the public in the setting of regional objectives for the future state of a region’s environment. Recommendations for the competent national and federal ministries are the integration of substantial standards into legislation, the setting of binding standards for a stricter reduction of land consumption, the determination of clear responsibilities and activities at all planning levels, and the release of guidance for effective regional land use planning practice that enhances adaptation to climate change. The main recommendations for European regional planning bodies are to establish regional environmental objective concepts for SEA-REP, update regional environmental data profiles, apply the SEA-REP+LUCCA indicator system, develop a tiered decision-support system, challenge conventional regional planning, improve cooperation with sector planning and involve the public in the development of adaptation strategies. A recommended adaptation task at regional planning level is the designation of strictly safeguarded priority areas with specific functions of land uses for the mitigation of negative effects of climate change. Such priority areas, which should be area-specifically defined in a regional land use map, should be linked to the implementation of binding adaptation measures in lower land use planning and at project level. An operationalisation of proposed assessment steps will be necessary for the regional-specific geographic and bio-physical conditions of the EU regions. The thesis concludes with future research needs and an outlook on the potential future role of SEA-REP. A clear responsibility of the future tasks of SEA-REP and LUCCA was recognised as a formal driving force for adaptation of land use to effects of climate change. Improved knowledge on spatial effects of climate change and vulnerability assessments will be required for an effective revision and application of SEA-REP and LUCCA. SEA should gain further importance in a transparent and participative decision-making. Environmental concerns and the protection of LUCCA will have to gain more weight, if the significance of danger and harm, caused by effects of climate change and anthropogenic land degradation, shall be mitigated now and in the future.