TATuP – Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis
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Decarbonization of Berlin’s transport sector: Citizens’ assembly on scientifically developed scenarios
Full text linkAs part of this work, a citizens’ assembly was set up to obtain feedback on measures to decarbonize Berlin’s transport sector. The general goal of decarbonization was widely supported. Based on existing studies, discussions were held for private passenger transport, commercial passenger transport, freight transport, and all other transport modes. Agreement could be found on the decarbonization paths for all segments, with the exception of private passenger transport. For the latter, pull measures, like improvements of public transport or bike lanes, are generally accepted, going along with a general desire to switch to non-fossil fuels and to make the transport system in Berlin less car-oriented. Simulations show that pull measures will be far from sufficient to decarbonize private passenger transport. However, more effective push measures, such as higher prices or ban on fossil-fueled vehicles, did not yield clear majorities for this segment.As part of this work, a citizens’ assembly was set up to obtain feedback on measures to decarbonize Berlin’s transport sector. The general goal of decarbonization was widely supported. Based on existing studies, discussions were held for private passenger transport, commercial passenger transport, freight transport, and all other transport modes. Agreement could be found on the decarbonization paths for all segments, with the exception of private passenger transport. For the latter, pull measures, like improvements of public transport or bike lanes, are generally accepted, going along with a general desire to switch to non-fossil fuels and to make the transport system in Berlin less car-oriented. Simulations show that pull measures will be far from sufficient to decarbonize private passenger transport. However, more effective push measures, such as higher prices or ban on fossil-fueled vehicles, did not yield clear majorities for this segment
Who initiates the material transition?: On the role of circular economy and heritage conservation approaches for the transformation of the construction industry
Full text linkThe transition to a circular economy involves a long-term transformation of the construction industry. Recent successes in research and development are counteracted by the sluggishness of the construction sector and other obstacles to implementation. However, decisions that minimize the consumption of resources and the climate impact of construction can be made immediately – especially by keeping existing buildings in use for as long as possible or revitalizing vacant buildings. The practical expertise for this can be found in the field of historic preservation. Like no other discipline, it focuses on recording and evaluating the inventory and has strategies and methods for long-term preservation. Previously a niche area limited to an exclusive portfolio, preservation principles can be fruitfully applied to all construction tasks as part of a circular building economy.The transition to a circular economy involves a long-term transformation of the construction industry. Recent successes in research and development are counteracted by the sluggishness of the construction sector and other obstacles to implementation. However, decisions that minimize the consumption of resources and the climate impact of construction can be made immediately – especially by keeping existing buildings in use for as long as possible or revitalizing vacant buildings. The practical expertise for this can be found in the field of historic preservation. Like no other discipline, it focuses on recording and evaluating the inventory and has strategies and methods for long-term preservation. Previously a niche area limited to an exclusive portfolio, preservation principles can be fruitfully applied to all construction tasks as part of a circular building economy
Climate change mitigation at a dead end: Between clear objectives and controversial solutions
Full text linkClimate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. While the goal of climate neutrality is widely recognized, there is great disagreement about how to achieve it. How can society deal with this dilemma? One possible answer is common principles for action that consider multiple perspectives. In a real-world laboratory study at the University of Stuttgart, both models for climate neutrality from researchers and ideas on climate neutrality from stakeholders (employees and students) were identified in a survey (n = 1.767) and then evaluated. Ten principles of climate neutrality were derived from this. Due to their broad, robust foundation, these could also be applied in other areas and thus outline common and acceptable paths to climate neutrality.Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. While the goal of climate neutrality is widely recognized, there is great disagreement about how to achieve it. How can society deal with this dilemma? One possible answer is common principles for action that consider multiple perspectives. In a real-world laboratory study at the University of Stuttgart, both models for climate neutrality from researchers and ideas on climate neutrality from stakeholders (employees and students) were identified in a survey (n = 1.767) and then evaluated. Ten principles of climate neutrality were derived from this. Due to their broad, robust foundation, these could also be applied in other areas and thus outline common and acceptable paths to climate neutrality
Futurizing ‘good construction(s)’: ‘Low-carbon’ and ‘labor’ futures in the Belgian construction sector
Full text linkIn this article, we explore through a foresight exercise how the construction sector in Belgium envisions its transition until 2050. Drawing on the notion of “the good economy” (Asdal et al. 2021), which addresses the relationship between normativity and economic practices, our approach considers both ‘low-carbon’ and ‘quality of work’ as two forms of good that are considered problematic. Envisioning the transition of the construction sector in Belgium in terms of a ‘good economy’ shows that there is an asymmetry between the two forms of good explored. Priority is given to the assessment of what ‘good environmental problems’ and ‘good material futures’ should be. Materials ought to be reintroduced into the political and economic perspectives of the transition, while a sustainable and circular approach to the (re)use of materials ought to be strengthened. Quality of work is expected to depend on new knowledge and training that a structurally scarce workforce should ideally possess.In this article, we explore through a foresight exercise how the construction sector in Belgium envisions its transition until 2050. Drawing on the notion of “the good economy” (Asdal et al. 2021), which addresses the relationship between normativity and economic practices, our approach considers both ‘low-carbon’ and ‘quality of work’ as two forms of good that are considered problematic. Envisioning the transition of the construction sector in Belgium in terms of a ‘good economy’ shows that there is an asymmetry between the two forms of good explored. Priority is given to the assessment of what ‘good environmental problems’ and ‘good material futures’ should be. Materials ought to be reintroduced into the political and economic perspectives of the transition, while a sustainable and circular approach to the (re)use of materials ought to be strengthened. Quality of work is expected to depend on new knowledge and training that a structurally scarce workforce should ideally possess
Cui bono? Judicial decision-making in the era of AI: A qualitative study on the expectations of judges in Germany
Full text linkDespite substantial artificial intelligence (AI) research in various domains, limited attention has been given to its impact on the judiciary, and studies directly involving judges are rare. We address this gap by using 20 in-depth interviews to investigate German judges’ perspectives on AI. The exploratory study examines (1) the integration of AI in court proceedings by 2040, (2) the impact of increased use of AI on the role and independence of judges, and (3) whether AI decisions should supersede human judgments if they were superior to them. The findings reveal an expected trend toward further court digitalization and various AI use scenarios. Notably, opinions differ on the influence of AI on judicial independence and the precedence of machine decisions over human judgments. Overall, the judges surveyed hold diverse perspectives without a clear trend emerging, although a tendency toward a positive and less critical evaluation of AI in the judiciary is discernible.Despite substantial artificial intelligence (AI) research in various domains, limited attention has been given to its impact on the judiciary, and studies directly involving judges are rare. We address this gap by using 20 in-depth interviews to investigate German judges’ perspectives on AI. The exploratory study examines (1) the integration of AI in court proceedings by 2040, (2) the impact of increased use of AI on the role and independence of judges, and (3) whether AI decisions should supersede human judgments if they were superior to them. The findings reveal an expected trend toward further court digitalization and various AI use scenarios. Notably, opinions differ on the influence of AI on judicial independence and the precedence of machine decisions over human judgments. Overall, the judges surveyed hold diverse perspectives without a clear trend emerging, although a tendency toward a positive and less critical evaluation of AI in the judiciary is discernible
Book review: Tuschling, Anna et al. (2024): ChatGPT und andere ‚Quatschmaschinen‘. Gespräche mit Künstlicher Intelligenz
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Competing or complementary?: Socio-technical imaginaries of a bio-based construction sector
Full text linkThe construction sector needs to transition toward using bio-based building materials in order to reduce its negative environmental impact. However, it is unclear how exactly such a bio-based future will look like, with different stakeholders in different geographical contexts having different visions of the sector’s future. Based on an extensive collection of expert interviews with stakeholders from the construction industry in China, India, Italy, and Germany, we have identified six primary visions. These are characterized by variations in their socio-technical logics, including preferred materials, targeted market segments, economic characteristics, and stage of development. While many visions appear to be complementary in principle, our findings also reveal conflicts, which are often socially constructed. These conflicts may impede the transition toward a bio-based construction sector, as certain visions may delegitimize alternative uses of bio-based materials.The construction sector needs to transition toward using bio-based building materials in order to reduce its negative environmental impact. However, it is unclear how exactly such a bio-based future will look like, with different stakeholders in different geographical contexts having different visions of the sector’s future. Based on an extensive collection of expert interviews with stakeholders from the construction industry in China, India, Italy, and Germany, we have identified six primary visions. These are characterized by variations in their socio-technical logics, including preferred materials, targeted market segments, economic characteristics, and stage of development. While many visions appear to be complementary in principle, our findings also reveal conflicts, which are often socially constructed. These conflicts may impede the transition toward a bio-based construction sector, as certain visions may delegitimize alternative uses of bio-based materials