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A Smart Home Network for Proactive Users
Get PDFAccording to the European Strategy Energy Technology (SET) Plan, the resident-user engagement into thenational energy strategy is pivotal, as reported by the Challenge 1st: “Active consumer is at the centre of the energy system”. The Italian Ministry of Economic Development and ENEA have entered into a Program Agreement for the execution of the research and development lines of General Interest for the NationalElectricity System. In particular, as part of the “Development of an integrated model of the Urban Smart District” project. An experimental demonstration of a Smart Home network is being carried out in the Centocelle district of Rome and called “Smart Home Centocelle”. The project was developed in an informal settlement, which shares a common background with likewise urban settings, such as a lack of public transportation convenience or enjoyable public spaces and average quality housing, whereas people who adhered to the project have a medium-high education level and proved to be sensitive to alternative and more sustainable energy sources. Our research has examined the deployment progress made so far, gathering and analysing all the information to assess how the project applications could affect various quality-of-life dimensions: safety, health, environmental quality and personal comfort perception, social connectedness and the cost of living, above all
The Politics of Digitised Boundaries in Vhembe District Municipality of South Africa
Get PDFThe advent of the fourth industrial revolution witnessed the introduction of digitised boundaries in local municipalities of South Africa. Digitised boundaries are simply imagined lines between spaces. In manyrural local municipalities of South Africa, digitised boundaries define territorial bounds as well as people’s identities within the bounded spaces. Several villages in Vhembe District Municipality experienced spatial changes as a result of the introduction of digitised boundaries as recommended by the National Demarcation Board. The introduction of these digitised boundaries engendered widespread protests as community residents raised their dissatisfaction with the new development. In their minds, the ‘new’ Boundaries (digitised) undermined their social base through exclusion from access to services from ‘their’ local municipalities, and thus infringed their rights to belonging. The aim of this paper unravels the politics of digitised boundaries using a case study of Vuwani Village in Vhembe District Municipality of South Africa. The paper (1) highlights the perceptions of community residents of digitised boundaries; (2) characterises the impact(s) of digitised boundaries on community residents; (3) proposes sustainable strategies for managing complexities from digitisation of boundaries in villages from below. This research adopted the mixed methods approach that enables layering methods and methodologies in data collection and analysis. A critical case study design was chosen to extract meaning from the experiences of community residents of Vuwani Village with regards to the politics of digitisation of boundaries vis-à-vis insurgence of protests in this community. Vuwani Village, and the community residents were purposefully selected to participate in this research. A total of 185 questionnaires were distributed to community residents layered as heads of households, youths, and community leaders - while observing social constructs such as gender, age, andlanguage. In addition, 15 spatial planners from three local municipalities under Vhembe District Municipality were interviewed using the Delphi Technique (serious brainstorming with experts). Data collection also involved extensive desktop review of pertinent literature on related theories, concepts, and policies. Quantitative analysis of data from questionnaires was aided by SPSS. Whereas, text analysis was applied to qualitative data from interviews. Lefebvre’s theory on the production of space; and Hirschman’s exit, voice, and loyalty model were adopted as modes of analysis through which descriptions from struggles in contested spaces, and people’s responses to ‘new’ circumstances (digitised boundaries) were enunciated. Community residents of Vuwani Village, and the digitised boundaries were the unit(s) of analysis that provided a unique case of the struggles flowing from politics of digitised boundaries, and spatial thinking. In Vuwani Village, the ‘new’ digitised boundaries engendered violent protests including arson, shutdowns of institutions and disruption of services. These contestations are on-going. Community residents of Vuwani Village and spatial planners from the local municipalities are in disagreement on where exactly the digital ‘line’ (boundary) must fall. Community residents want social digitised boundaries that define community identity and belonging, whereas municipal planners want digitised boundaries that simply separate spaces. Exit, voice, and loyalty responses are clearly apparent in Vuwani Village as community residents reactdifferently to the spatial representations from digitizsd boundaries. This paper proposes prioritisation of social boundaries as key to dealing with politics flowing from digitised boundaries - from below. Strategies that serve as platforms for rethinking the implementation of digitised boundaries in local rural municipalities of South Africa and elsewhere are clearly needed
A Geo-Spatial Information Model for Rurban Planning
Get PDFThe Indian context of planning primarily focuses on urban settlements comprising approximately 30% of our land area. The rest two-thirds are composed of spatially isolated rural communities which lack access to adequate infrastructure, services and connectivity for which the absence of a standardized planning methodology is a pertinent reason. Since a spatial entity is never disconnected from its context, planning is most effective when undertaken in the context of a region, joining settlements in need of physical, economic and social connectivity. Within a region, the availability of a multihierarchical geo-spatial database is fundamental to spatial planning, and research identifies that it requires conspicuous attention in our rural planning strategy. The proposed paper addresses this lacuna of data infrastructure at the micro-regional level. An example of micro-region is the rurban cluster, comprising several village settlements around a central town, displaying potential for spatially integrated development. The rurban cluster is in compliance with the Shyama Prasad Mukherji National Rurban Mission (SPMNRM), a flagship programme initiated by the Ministry of Rural Development (Government of India) in 2016. The planning, implementation and execution of this scheme also sufferes due to the lack of geo-spatial database management. Borrowing from past experiences in the country and abroad, this paper constructs a model for geo-spatial planning of rurban clusters. The model takes care of all the stages of rurban cluster planning such as delineation of the micro-region, database design and management, analysis, evolution of alternative scenarios and finally implementation and monitoringthrough geo-spatial information systems. Once developed and applied, it objectively evaluates the corresponding stages of the SPMNRM (non-spatial) and the new model (geo-spatial), to demonstrate how the latter adds value to the planning process and produces superior results on ground
Land Use and Physical Structure Changes: An Expo of Maboneng Precinct
Get PDFMost cities have over the years experienced high developmental changes dating back from the 1940’s to present which are seen in various themes of influx, generation, exodus and decline. The question of what kind of city we desire cannot be divorced from the question of what kind of people we want to be, the types of social relations and land uses we seek, the style of daily life we want, the types of relations to nature we cherish, kinds of technologies we deem appropriate and the aesthetic value we hold. Development during the apartheid period was based on racial classification as the elites of the country spatially separated themselves from the poor, whether through work spaces or residential areas. The problem is that the inner city regeneration of Maboneng has displaced and segregated certain groups of people while accommodation other groups founded on social economic classes. Against this backdrop, this paper focuses on the Maboneng Precinct area which is located in Jeppestown east of the Johannesburg CBD. The paper aims to discuss the changes in land uses that have occurred in Maboneng following urban regeneration. The case study design is adopted and a qualitative research approach is used to collect data. Data is collected through structure interviews with persons that have seen and experienced changes land uses of Maboneng following regeneration; observations and photographic surveys of Maboneng‘s different land uses. Research findings reveal that there have been significant land use changes that have occured in the Maboneng precinct since its urban regeneration. The results reveal that land uses in Maboneng since urban regeneration have changed drastically and for the better from light manufacturing, heavy manufacturing, business and warehousing to residential, commercial, institutional, industrial and public services land uses. Although land use changes in Maboneng have resulted in many benefits, these benefits have come with challenges such as marginalisation of the poor minority and the exclusion of a certian group in society through the eviction of illegal tenants. The study concludes by recommending that more efforts need to be exerted in encouraging land use changes that are inclusive of all in society and that more land uses such as open spaces need to be encouraged in Maboneng going forwar
Exploring Barrier-Free as a Catalyst to Smart Cities Initiatives in Sub Saharan Africa
Get PDFThe Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities both strive to make all cities and human settlements inclusive, safe and resilient without discrimination. Actions through policies, legislation and advocacy have been employed by Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) governments to achieve barrier free environments with little progress. Smart community initiatives can become a potential conduit for speeding the development of barrier free environments in these countries. The study thus explores the concept of barrier free as a catalyst in smarting communities’ initiatives in Africa. An exploratory mixed methods approach is used through the review of epistemological assumptions of smart communities and surveys of perceptions of people from the university community. Case studies of selected smart city initiatives and smart university campuses were reviewed, and KNUST (as a microcosm of a city) with a population of 50,000 was used as a case study. The study revealed the silent nature of current smart city characteristics on barrier free features whilst technology and people remain the backbone of inclusive smart community initiatives. Again most respondents are optimistic of its success in SSA, though cautioning its cost. A low smart index score of 36.9 was recorded on the KNUST Campus. This study provides vital data to policy makers on implementation of integrated barrier free and smart community initiatives in Sub-Sahara Africa
Siedlungsgebundene Unterflur-Überwärmung und deren Risikopotenzial für Infrastruktur und Gesundheit
Get PDFDas Phänomen der siedlungsgebundenen Überwärmung ist äußerst vielschichtig. Entsprechend der Tatsache,dass die städtische Wärmeinsel (UHI) in ihrem horizontalen Erscheinungsbild als „einfache“ Lufttemperaturglocke dargestellt werden kann, zeigt sich, dass die oftmals als eine Einheit betrachtete UHI auch in der vertikalen Lufttemperaturverteilung mit zunehmender Höhe über Grund Modifikationen aufweist. Dementsprechend lassen sich grundsätzlich vier vertikale urbane Überwärmungsbereiche unterscheiden (Oberflächenwärmeinsel, Stadthindernisschichtwärmeinsel, Stadtgrenzschichtwärmeinsel, Unterirdische urbane Wärmeinsel), die sich in ihrer Intensität, dem zeitlichen Verhalten, der räumlichen Form und dem Grad ihrer Homogenität unterscheiden. Von den oben genannten vertikalen Wärmeinseln ist die unterirdische die in der Fachliteratur bisher amgeringsten beachtete. Wenig ist bisher bekannt über die Intensität und das räumliche Erscheinungsbild,ebenso wie über die individuellen Faktoren, die zur Entstehung dieser beitragen. Den physikalischen Eigenschaften der unterschiedlichen, meist künstlichen Baumaterialien folgend, wird durch die Aufheizung der Bodenoberfläche und Gebäude die Wärme nicht nur in die Atmosphäre, sondern auch in den Untergrund abgeleitet. Hieraus resultiert eine Überwärmung unter Grund, die einige Meter in den Boden hineinreichen kann. Je nachdem wie stark diese ausgebildet ist bzw. sollte die Untergrundversiegelung das Grundwasserniveau erreichen, ist die Überwärmung auch im Grundwasser nachweisbar. Ein Risiko, welches die unterirdische Wärmeinsel in der Zukunft hervorrufen könnte, ist die entstehende „thermische Verschmutzung“ des Bodens. Vor allem der Wasserhaushalt, speziell die Versorgung mit Trinkwasser, spielt eine tragende Rolle, wenn der Frage nachgegangen wird, wie sich Veränderungen der Bodentemperatur auf das durch den Boden geführte Trinkwasser auszuwirken vermag. Da der überwiegende Anteil der Trinkwasserleitungen im Bereich der Verkehrsinfrastruktur liegt, der klimatopunabhängig am stärksten von der Erwärmung des Bodens betroffen sein wird, kann eine stetig steigende Bodentemperatur auf dem Niveau der Trinkwasserleitungen durchaus ein trinkwasserhygienischesRisikopotenzial darstellen
The Smart City, Integrated Design and Planning and Urban Tech
Get PDFIn the past couple of years UrbanTech projects have raised an unprecedented amount of venture capital. They propose to combine IT, data and knowledge about the capacities of our built environment and offer their customers solutions in housing and energy use, design, construction and occupancy of buildings and transportation. Following individual business plans they are developed for predefined environments characterised by spatial scales and that can be modelled with easily available data. The for profit projects are different from “Smart City Solutions”, which are a municipal service, target a city’s entire population and aim for an integration across urban systems. In their current stage of development “Smart City Solutions” have, however, struggled in particular to achieve the interoperability between urban systems and urbanmanagement platforms. The objective of the paper is to explore the potential of insular but structured entrepreneurial efforts of UrbanTech projects to create a city data marketplace. A concern is father the usefulness of these data to promote integrated types of planning and design of built spaces, thus increasing the overall quality of the built environment and the transparency of processes. This paper presents an analysis of UrbanTech projects receiving incubation or acceleration grants for piloting or scaling business models based on digital information sharing with the objective of creating better or improving built environments. Focus is put on comparing the spatial scales covered by the projects, the type of data shared, the process of data collection, storage and management and the interoperability of platforms as well as the alliances with professionals contributing and profiting from sharing. A framework for analysis and understanding of venture capitalfinanced urban services is crucial for urban administrators concerned with achieving integration of urban processes and systems as well as for entrepreneurs seeking to make their projects relevant in the long term
Implementierung eines Werkzeuges zur Interpretation von Versorgungsnetzen aus dem Programmsystem STANET
Get PDFDie Modellierung von Ver- und Entsorgungsnetzen spielt im Hinblick auf vernetzte Energiesysteme eine wichtige Rolle und kann für verschiedene Netzmedien mit dem Programmsystem STANET® realisiert werden. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrages wird ein Analyse- und Transformationswerkzeug für STANET® vorgestellt. Das in Python entwickelte Werkzeug STANETransformer erlaubt die tabellarische Darstellungder Ausgangsdaten, die Analyse und Konsistenzprüfung der Daten, sowie den Export in mehrere Datenformate die bislang nicht von STANET® unterstützt werden. Es wird auf Möglichkeiten der topologischen und semantischen Modellierung von Netzwerken in den Datenmodellen CityGML mit der Erweiterung Utility Networks und dem von der internationalen Organisation buildingSMART entwickelten standardisierten Datenmodell Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) eingegangen. Basierend auf der Analyse der STANET® Ausgangsdaten werden Anforderungen an das Softwarewerkzeug abgeleitet und ein entsprechendes Konzept vorgestellt. Schließlich wird auf den aktuellen Stand der Realisierung des STANETransformers eingegangen, wobei insbesondere die Berücksichtigung der Netztopologie und der Sachdaten im Vordergrund steht
Redefining Smart Cities – Tradition versus Branding – a Tale of Varanasi
Get PDF“Smart city is a liveable city to the people with required amenities." The paper attempts to understand the intrinsic nature of the trending Smart City concept as a solution to the urban problems in Indian context.Smart city concept makes use of technology and ensures the Right to Developemnt and the Right to Equality. The paper questions if the concept imposes the right to compromise a City’s identity as well. The paper highligthts the importance of preserving a city’s identity.The paper analysis if the still evolving concept of smart city aims to preserve the spirit of the city or is an another tech based approach with profit making agenda. The paper discusses about the most promising project of the Indian Governement. A case study of Varanasi, how the city flaunts its own diverse and rich cultural heritage.Mark Twain rigthly said, “Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” Varanasi - the ancient surviving city continues to fascinate the world with its history, hymns, rituals,mythology and spirituality. The crescent-moon shaped Ganga Ghats of Varanasi are the abode of divinity have lives and voices of their own.The people of Varanasi start their morning with chanting of prayers along the ghats and take a dip in the holy Ganga to redeem themselves.On one hand where the Ganga ghats are the lifeblood for the people, on the other hand, the liberation from the cycle of life and death along the ghats defines another character of the city. Varanasi, also known as the city of salvation motivates the devout to go to Varanasi in their last days. The city is also well-known for its rich literature, music, art & handcrafts and production of fine silk ‘Banarasi saari’.Organic growth pattern of this densely populated ancient town along the river and its rich cultural heritage pose a unique challenge for urban planners. The paper explains why the cultural aspects need to be considered during the application of the smart city proposals. In oder to keep up with urbanisation and the advancement in technology it is neither desirable nor an option for Varanasi to be a closed system pretending to preserve its originality. Considering the urban challenges the Government of India has decided to replicate the Kyoto model.Kyoto too is a city of pilgrimage and planned along the riverside identical to Varanasi.Every city has its own character and challenges pertaining to it.The aspirations of achieving the components of Smart city should not overlook the vibrant spirit of the city.An understanding of the significance of preserving a city’s identity is imperative to urban planning.The paper explains why the Kyoto smart city model cannot be replicated blindly to transform Varanasi as ‘Kyoto-style smart city’. Lastly,the paper attempts to define the concept of smart city without losing the identity of a city
The Development of an E-Participation Platform for Rural Areas in the Study Area of Niedernhall
Get PDFThe participation methods changed in recent years with the evolution of communication methods in general. It goes from an analog approach to a more information technology-based concept. This new form of participation is called e-Participation. With this new form of participation, the process opens up for different new technologies.The emergence of 3D Web-visualisation technologies presents themselves as an interesting application in the participation field. Especially regarding planning participation. Different examples introduce this concept in big cities andare based on open 3D city model data.However, there is also a need for this participation concept in a smaller urban area. This paper shows a way to provide an easy to access 3D model of areas in Baden-Württemberg for participation processes. In this paper, the system was tested with a trial run in a small village where the parish council was asked to design a public place. The platform provided them with functionalities to design in the 3D environment on the web globe. These functionalities were introduced to the council at an on-site appointment. This proves the technical validity of the project. The usability and acceptance of this method by the council will be determined by a questionnaire at a later stage in the project