Current energy transition towards a carbon neutral urban environment urgently calls for understanding how energy scapes should be redefined, while tmeeting energy demand and controlling the social-environmental impacts of this transition within a specific territorial context. The energy system in Albania is characterized by traces of the previous energy-space nexus, which manifest as abandoned remnants of the past, referred in this project as Patterns of Production, or as automated landscapes of the present. Amidst these spatial uncertainties, Albania faces the challenge of climate vulnerability of the current energy infrastructure, alongside with energy poverty and environmental degradation of communist industrial sites, all standing as three primary challenges in the country’s energy transition. Therefore, the following research question emerges: “How can the energy-space nexus in the Pattern of Production contribute to energy security for a socially and environmentally sensitive transition in Elbasan?”

This project aims to establish a new synergy between former communist industrial sites and residential areas within the Pattern of Production of Elbasan, while diversifying energy sources, and considering the social and environmental impacts of this synergy simultaneously. This endeavor addresses the spatial challenges and potentials of integrating communist industrial spaces into the energy transition, while acknowledging their local strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats. Using the maximization method, three scenarios have been developed to enhance energy security, energy equity, and environmental qualities in Elbasan. These scenarios employ the Multi-Level framework to create a pattern language for the energy-space nexus under each maximization pillar. To visualize the implementation of the desired energy-space nexus in 2050, they are overlapped to define the vision in macro scale and strategic plan of Elbasan in meso scale, while considering the phased implementation of this strategy and stakeholder integration.

This project yields transferable insights applicable to other Patterns of Production in Albania with overarching recommendations such as: deep understanding of the specific context and aligning the energy-space nexus with local potentials and limitations, designing spaces of consumption and production according to the needs of local residents, defining community-based spaces, increasing accessibility to clean energy sources, and creating ecological synergies between energy production and consumption. Additionally, this project contributes to the existing literature on the spatial notion of a sustainable energy transition, specifically focusing on the Balkan countries, which have been underrepresented in current academic research.

Among the major urban cooling strategies, urban morphological changes and increasing greenery coverage have proven effective in mitigating heat stress. One building type that has been used for centuries in hot and arid climates is the courtyard typology as it can create comfortable thermal conditions. However, little is known about the climate performance of different tree planting patterns in these courtyards. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of different tree configurations in courtyards with a specific focus on the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. First, a literature review of the existing studies on the effectiveness of tree planting patterns to reduce heat stress was conducted. Next, 34 historic courtyards in Amsterdam (hofjes) and their tree planting patterns were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Through this analysis, prevalent tree planting patterns and general guidelines for tree planting patterns were derived. Based on the literature review and hofjes analysis, six different tree planting patterns have been established. These were: the Cornered pattern with trees in the south facing corner, the Perimeter pattern with a line of trees along the perimeter, the Dispersed patterns with evenly dispersed trees, the Double Row pattern with two rows of trees, the Two Sided Double Row pattern with two double rows of trees on either side of the courtyard, and the Clustered Double Row pattern with two rows of trees clustered in the centre. These tree configurations were modelled in a courtyard to determine their effect on the Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) levels using ENVI-met 5, a 3D model simulation software. The courtyard used in this study is located at the Urban Comfort Lab, which is an experimental testing facility in Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. Simulations were carried out for two hot days in 2022, July 17th to 19th, during which temperatures reached up to 35.4 °C. Results showed that during the morning and late afternoon, the the Double Row and Clustered Double Row patterns were most effective in reducing the share of maximum PET values experienced in the courtyard. In the afternoon, during the hottest part of the day, the Dispersed pattern was the most effective in reducing the share of extreme PET values in the courtyard, with PET reductions of up to 7 K. Despite this reduction, it is important to note that PET levels inside the courtyard remained above 41 °C for the majority of the day, indicating the persistence of extreme heat stress conditions. The different mean radiant temperature values of the patterns exerted the largest influence on variations in PET, as wind speed, relative humidity and air temperature showed little variations among patterns. The findings of this research can help architects, urban designers and municipalities in creating more liveable and climate resilient cities in the face of rising temperatures. Additionally, this research contributes to the limited existing literature on the effect of tree planting patterns on heat stress in courtyards and offers a methodology for analysing existing tree configurations in courtyards.

Wind has a profound impact on the meteorological and environmental conditions in cities. And so, by understanding wind flow behaviour within the urban environment, we can use the increasingly available open data to contribute to the design of healthy cities. This Master’s thesis presents a methodology to compute urban morphological parameters and its effect on potential wind velocity. The proposed method may serve as an complementary method to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation or scaled wind tunnel tests. The research question in this thesis is: Can we use urban morphology to automatically calculate potential increase in wind velocity? To answer this, first an introduction to wind flows in the urban environment
is presented. Then, several methodologies are presented to compute the urban morphological parameters, such as the Urban Canyon, wind- or leeward facade, Angle of Attack and terrain roughness length. The method relies on the use of a Voronoidiagram, with cells describing the morphology. After, the urban morphological parameters are related to potential wind velocity through a scoring method. Using two meteorological stations inside the area of interest, the mean wind velocity is compared to the scores. The result show that both stations show a higher mean wind velocity for higher scores. However, more research is necessary to validate this outcome and a recommendation is given to compare the result of this thesis to a CFD simulation.

This research and planning project explores the influence of spatial planning in facilitating the process of energy transition within the context of Dubai. Energy use within the built environment is closely related to the organization of urban form and functions. Spatial planning can influence diverse sectors in urban areas including the energy sector. The role of spatial planning in the energy transition is a crucial one since it can challenge fundamental norms that don’t promote energy efficiency. Planning processes and systems can pave the way for a collective investment in public goods that can help to promote long term environmental benefits. The results of this research illustrate the impact of spatial planning to change the relationship of space to energy. Energy strategies need to start having a stronger link with urban development plans to be able to effectively change the ‘decision rules’ that can lead to an improved energy performance. Through this research I want to contribute to this question and explore the parameters of planning that can impact energy use in Dubai. The intention of this research and design project is to begin a discussion about the role of spatial planning in the energy transition in cities. My assumed role in this project is of an urban planner to inform Dubai government on how to facilitate a process for developers, urban designers and architects to work within. This project has a strong research base which will guide the redesigning of the planning process in Dubai to better balance competing interests and engage with all stakeholders. This research attempts to bridge the gap between energy strategies and urban development policies.

This research is about the spatial integration of a self-sufficient renewable energy system in selected urban blocks in the neighbourhood Ramplaankwartier in Haarlem, providing the heat demand of the residential buildings located in these selected urban blocks. Solar energy production and thermal energy storage are the selected energy production and storage methods included in this report. These methods are the result of a literature study and its demarcation results. Based on a spatial analysis resulting in energy potentials, ten configurations are set up for the integration of a renewable energy systems. These configurations are divided over three categories with different principles for an energy transition project: (A) 100% gas replacement using the commonly applied placement of panels on roofs. (B) 100% gas replacement using an analysis of energy potentials (C) Configurations aiming for minor spatial impact on the selected urban blocks taking into account the wishes of inhabitants.These ten configuration were assessed on their quantifiable spatial & energy characteristics using a set of selected/modified spatial & energy indicators. Secondly a perceptual analysis was employed on a pilot group of inhabitants during an information night. During a presentation of the configuration results questionnaires were filled in by inhabitants.The results of the quantifiable and perceptual analysis are compared using the the following criteria: energy potential, spatial impact, inhabitants acceptance, amount of m2 used energy production panels & necessary additional technologies. The configuration (C.4), using PVT + large scale heat pump + pit thermal energy storage, is the optimal solution of the investigated energy solutions.Purely based on the energy characteristics replacing 100% of the gas use, the best option would be (combination of configurations C.3 & C.4) using PVT + large scale heat pump + latent thermal energy storage.If spatial/visual impact in the public space of an energy transition project is not possible or there is an aim for zero spatial/visual impact of stakeholders, then the B.1 or C.2 configuration, using flat-plate collectors + pit thermal energy storage (without covered parking), is the best option.This thesis hopes to contribute to speeding up the process of energy transition projects, replacing the gas produced heat demand with a renewable produced heat demand, for the existing built environments in the Netherlands.