Welcome to the ECOCITY 2022 Interactive Programme

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Displaying One Session

Session Type
Pecha Kuchas
Date
02/23/2022
Session Time
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Room

Hall A

SUMMER UNIVERSITIES ONLINE – GREEN.BUILDING.SOLUTIONS. AND ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC AND MONETARY SYSTEMS

Session Type
Pecha Kuchas
Date
02/23/2022
Session Time
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Room

Hall A

Lecture Time
02:00 PM - 02:05 PM

Abstract

Abstract Body

With climate change becoming a more pressing problem to solve on the global scale, ideas for a sustainable future are increasingly important. The interdisciplinary Online Summer Universities Green.Building.Solutions. (GBS) and Alternative Economic and Monetary Systems (AEMS) bridge this gap while being unique in their format.

The master-level GBS is an intensive annual training program encompassing the ecological, economic, technical and social aspects of the built environment. International participants acquire hands-on knowledge in the fields of Passive House technology, energy efficient design and sustainable urban planning guided by Austrian and international experts. The curriculum comprises self-study periods with video-lectures, live-discussions, workshops and virtual building tours. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of ecological building, with sessions on e.g. alternative building materials, greening or circularity of buildings, students experience the benefits of sustainable accommodation first-hand, getting to live in a passive house student guesthouse of the organizer and pioneer in energy efficient building, OeAD student housing in Vienna.

Participants get to put theory into practice in the final project work, dealing with a real-life object: in 2020, they worked on ideas for the renovation of the Viennese Otto-Wagner Area according to EnergyPLUS criteria under the aspects of heritage protection[1]. OeAD student housing has also been involved with a feasibility analysis of this project, published recently[2].

The AEMS Summer University deals with limits to growth and opens the view for alternative ideas to the current growth-based economic and financial systems. In a holistic online experience, participants from all fields develop a comprehensive understanding of why a drastic system change is necessary in order to stabilize the world climate at 1.5°C.

GBS and AEMS also offer an Expert Talk Series: During these monthly and free online-events, experts talk on the newest developments in ecological construction and alternative economics. GBS’ latest talk was on Plus Energy Districts, also introducing the Otto-Wagner Area project aiming at the first climate neutral renovation of a historic site and student campus worldwide.

So far, GBS counts more than 300 Alumni from 70+ nations.

[1] https://issuu.com/barbara.mayr/docs/owa_booklet_complete_20210121_final, 01.03.2021.

[2] https://nachhaltigwirtschaften.at/de/sdz/projekte/otto-wagner-areal-plus.php, 01.03.2021 (German).

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A GAME-LIKE APPROACH FOR CAPACITY BUILDING AND AWARENESS RAISING IN CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION

Session Type
Pecha Kuchas
Date
02/23/2022
Session Time
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Room

Hall A

Lecture Time
02:05 PM - 02:10 PM

Abstract

Abstract Body

Adopting game-like approaches in capacity building activities allows obtaining effective results, in particular when dealing with complex issues such as climate change. A clear understanding of basic concepts is indispensable to work with increasing complexity. According to literature, games related to environmental governance boost eagerness to participate as the game context gives voice to people that are not often engaged.

We present here an exploratory tool to enhance the communication of climate change adaptation concepts already tested and implemented in the occasion of several workshops in different regions of the world in the framework of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) initiative.

The game-like approach consists of a photographs-selection game where participants –with diverse profiles– are divided in groups. Each group is given the same 100 pictures with several subjects and topics, related or not to climate change. A climate risk is assigned to each group who needs to identify one single picture for each concept of the climate risk framework (IPCC, AR5): “hazard”, “exposure”, “vulnerability”, “impact”, and “adaptation” consistent with the risk assigned. The risks are adapted to the local characteristics of the region.
After completing the activity, the groups can explain their results, and some pre-evaluated solutions are given to develop further insights and discussions. Groups were mainly composed by experts, civil servants, and other stakeholders and citizens interested in climate change, including non-climate experts.
The aim of the activity is to reinforce basic knowledge to help climate practitioners in further developing their climate related work by visualising the concepts and steps to be undertaken, correctly identifying the components of risk and recognising the relation between climate risks and corresponding adaptation actions.
This method has been applied in different regions of the GCoM initiative: South East Asia , Latin America, North America and Europe. The exercise was reported to be successful by participants. It highlighted that main difficulties were related to the concept of vulnerability. Through this activity, a structured approach for climate change adaptation rooted in prevention, forecasting and monitoring systems instead of emergency is given.

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ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND LITERACY IN LEAD CITY UNIVERSITY, IBADAN

Session Type
Pecha Kuchas
Date
02/23/2022
Session Time
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Room

Hall A

Lecture Time
02:10 PM - 02:15 PM

Abstract

Abstract Body

The importance of environmental education is now well recognized and this fact is underscored by the involvement of the Federal Government, State Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and private individuals on environmental awareness creation. In Nigeria, the consequences of land degradation, deforestation, population explosion, desertification, water and air pollution amongst others have started manifesting in form of drought, temperature rise, flooding, low agricultural yield, drying up of water bodies, development of gully erosion etc. To curtail these environmental problems, environment related contents are being infused into higher institutions curriculum. Although, studies have been carried out in some parts of Nigeria such as Cross River, Kaduna and Imo States to examine the effect of environmental education on students’ awareness and attitude towards their environments, such study has not been documented in South-West Nigeria. This study intends to fill this gap by assessing the level of environmental awareness in Lead City University (LCU), Ibadan.

The general objective of the study is to ascertain the environmental awareness and literacy level in LCU. This study made use of both primary and secondary data; the primary data are sourced from field survey through the use of structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistical method. Microsoft Excel was used for simple percentages, tables and graphs that were used to describe data collected during the course of the survey exercise.

The study shows that environmental awareness and literacy level among students on LCU campus is average; indicating a weak effect of environmental education on students on campus. The study also shows that female students are more environmentally aware than their male counterparts. Majority of the students agree that LCU environment is majorly clean; they also acknowledge that environmental pollution can affect their health and safety. Some of the students admit that they participate in polluting LCU campus and that the major source of pollution on campus is noise pollution. Majority of respondents also admit that LCU operates an effective waste management system and acknowledged the meaningfulness and value of trees and tree planting on campus.

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ACHIEVING NDC TARGETS BY 2030 THROUGH AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS IN INDIA

Session Type
Pecha Kuchas
Date
02/23/2022
Session Time
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Room

Hall A

Lecture Time
02:15 PM - 02:20 PM

Abstract

Abstract Body

The Paris Agreement of 21st session of Conference of Parties of UNFCCC adopted with the aim to maintain the global average temperature below 2 °C of pre-industrial levels made a huge noise in the international arena. Whereas, India had promised to reduce its emissions intensity—greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP— by 33 to 35 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2030. In addition, we would create a carbon sink equivalent to 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide i.e. nationally determined contributions (NDC) by the year 2030 through increasing tree cover area by means of agroforestry is widely considered as low-hanging fruit. However, mapping of existing agroforestry area and its carbon sequestration presisely & accurately will help achieve targets. The study was carried out into two major aspects: estimation of agroforestry area using satellite remote sensing data, and to estimate the carbon sequestration potential of existing agroforestry by using dynamic CO2FIXv3.1 model for a simulation period of 30-years from 57 districts of 17 states (20% sampling). The average estimated carbon sequestration potential of the AFS, representing varying edaphic climatic conditions, on farmer’s field at country level is 0.35 Mg ha-1 yr-1 with average tree density of 18 tree ha-1. The study revealed that total carbon stock under baseline in different states of the country varied from 14.5 to 33.48 Mg C ha-1. Total tree population in agroforestry at country level is 321.45 million in 17.45 million ha area under agroforestry. At national level, existing agroforestry systems are estimated to mitigate 22.41 million tons CO2 equivalent annually on an area of 17.45 m ha, which may offsets 1.22 % of the total GHG emissions India (1831.64 million tonnes). These huge potential of carbon sequestration through agroforestry provide ‘win-win’ opportunity to bridge-up the adaptation and mitigation strategies and achieve the substancial targets of paris agreements. In addition to this, the adoption of various forms of agroforestry by farmers helping out accelerates their livelihood security.

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ENSURING LOCAL INCLUSIVENESS OF NEW CIRCULAR FOOD SYSTEMS IN FUTURE - CO-CREATION WITH TARGET GROUPS IN KIBERA, NAIROBI

Session Type
Pecha Kuchas
Date
02/23/2022
Session Time
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Room

Hall A

Lecture Time
02:20 PM - 02:25 PM

Abstract

Abstract Body

The cities around the world are increasing in size and complexity as a consequence of migrating people moving into urban areas in search for food, income, employment and a better life. This is also the case for Kibera, the largest slum in Nairobi, Kenya. The transitioning of urban cities towards enhanced food and nutrition security, ecological circularity of natural resources including water and energy, and application of technologies that can ensure resiliency in future livelihood, should not be exclusively to the rich world, but with appropriate co-creation and governance strategies can include a huge number of people regarded poor. The main aim of this survey is to illustrate how inclusiveness in the transition towards ecocities in future, with relatively small investments can ensure viable local circular approaches if institutional contexts as core driver to ensuring resiliency of future food systems are fully understood. A new fish value-chain was established between Nyeri district supplying small sized affordable and accessible fish to Kibera, Nairobi, August 2020. While at this stage, a 1000 fish farmers in Nyeri and a total of 56 vendors in Kibera, as well as a large number of young people ensuring the logistics of brining a ton of affordable fish to Kibera on a weekly basis take part of this development. The new infrastructure and logistics established between Nyeri and Kibera can further create a benchmark for strengthening Kenyas’ livelihood with further upscaling. A food system approach is introduced to take account of relevant system dimensions, including; consumption and production, formal and informal institutions, and interlinkages with rural areas and the opportunities for advancements into smart, sustainable and inclusive food systems for future. Still, to ensure a resilient rural-urban food system in future, it is critically important to understand context specific institutional mechanisms, which in Kenya are based in communities with strong community leads with capacities to motivate and influence other actors in the network to improve and make changes.

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‘INDUSTRIA LOCI’:- RE-MAKING PLACE THROUGH ENERGY: ACHIEVING LOCALISED NZEB ENERGY OPTIMISATION WITHIN (IRISH) MARKET TOWNS UTILISING ENERGY-PLUS MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS DESIGNED THROUGH PASSIVHAUS PRINCIPLES.

Session Type
Pecha Kuchas
Date
02/23/2022
Session Time
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Room

Hall A

Lecture Time
02:25 PM - 02:30 PM

Abstract

Abstract Body

CONTEXT:- nZEB policy in Ireland is derived from cost-optimality principles, overlay unto a low carbon national electrical grid. Implementation defaults to generic solutions of individual electrical heat pumps serving individual buildings, without consideration of context and without measurement of the efficacy of such extensive resources use. Effectively the policy focuses on facilitating macro-generational grid efficiencies, ensuring an optimality of supply, whilst ignoring micro-operational energy efficiency by not significantly reducing actual energy use.

PROBLEM:- nZEB policy lacks coherence when faced with the greater proportionality of embodied carbon reflected in new construction materials and methodologies. By setting new energy-saving targets too low, nZEB policy creates significant future pressures on our electrical grid and ignores the reality that all buildings now, should effectively be looking to serve our 2050 carbon-zero targets. The generic ‘low-carbon’ heat pump solution is valid in some contexts, however within traditional market towns, where building fabric is high in embodied carbon and rich in historical patterns and morphology, the solution is not so obvious. Treating our future building stock as part of an integrated energy whole will be helpful in understanding optimal nZEB energy solutions.

OPPORTUNITY:- The topic is an investigation into how emblematic new energy-plus developments within our historic centres, would amplify the energy importance of our existing building fabric, would re-make our planning and urban design process and increase the energy integrity and resilience of our communities. These community-centred energy-saving initiatives, would work as resilient energy micro-nodes to support the transitioning of our macro-grids. All new constructions must justify their resource-use by delivering an energy performance beyond nZEB, and the nonchalance by which we have demolished older buildings in the past will no longer be considered unimportant to the global carbon challenge. This creates an opportunity to remake the energy profile and ‘placeness’ of our Irish market towns.

This topic reflects ongoing Ph D Study at the University of Ulster. The author wishes to thank the University and his supervisors.

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THE PROMOTION OF INCLUSIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS POLICIES FOR CITIES BASED ON THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND. THE CASE OF THE CITY OF LUCCA (ITALY)

Session Type
Pecha Kuchas
Date
02/23/2022
Session Time
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Room

Hall A

Lecture Time
02:30 PM - 02:35 PM

Abstract

Abstract Body

Within the international and European policies such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, cities are essential players in promoting, preventing and mitigating socioeconomic inequalities in the access to health and wellbeing among urban dwellers. In the IN-HABIT (H2020) project, Inclusive Health and Wellbeing (IHW) is interpreted as a pool of common resources to co-create (CCPR) through the participation of citizens who cooperate in the definition of rules and principles clear for the decision-making system.

Our paper illustrates the case of the city of Lucca (one of the partner of the project) where the visionary approach of IN-HABIT is the goal is to identify innovative IHW solutions through the mobilization / enhancement of the human-animal bond to co ¬ create goods and services in this area. Much research has highlighted the physiological and psychosocial benefits of human-animal interactions in different social groups (e.g. the elderly, children, people with mental disabilities, prisoners, women) as an important aspect of the life of people of all ages and stages of their life. Positive results have been demonstrated, in particular, for the elderly and for the elderly with impaired cognitive abilities.

The project aims to define the first Hum-An integrated urban policy in Europe. The presence of animals is a growing phenomenon within cities - both as domestic and wild animals - and therefore, there is a need for specific policies to better include and regulate it in the urban metabolism, as well as to better enhance and promote it in an extension of the idea of citizenship to them.

Here we illustrate the first phases of the project aimed at the construction of a public-private partnership (PPP) dedicated to the creation of human-an smart politics. In this sense, the many connections emerge with various spheres of public life such as planning, the environment, education and training, socio-health and public / private services, economic development and tourism. It is therefore necessary to construct this policy within an integrated and coherent framework.

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SUSTAINING OF ENVIRONMENTAL IDENTITY IN NORTH EGYPT BY FACING THE CHALLENGES ON BURULLUS LAKE

Session Type
Pecha Kuchas
Date
02/23/2022
Session Time
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Room

Hall A

Lecture Time
02:35 PM - 02:40 PM

Abstract

Abstract Body

North Egypt is featured environmentally by four coastal lakes. As Burullus Lake, one of these lakes, has many ecological and cultural values, it has rare and sensitive landscape and seascape elements. Accordingly, it has characterized by a unique identity socially and environmentally. In the coming future, the lake might be existed from the category of protected areas, if the current deterioration continues with the same trend. Moreover, it might be disappeared, and the environmental identity in North Egypt might be diminished. By addressing the constrains that could decrease the probability of the lake's existence, the research aims to develop a group of sustained actions associated with some recommendations to protect the sensitive environment of the lake. Finding deteriorations from field visits should be considered in management planning for the lake's sustainability to be considered by decision-makers. To restore the health of the lake, it should be taking action to protect the habitats and green economic opportunities. The proposed solutions are empowering actions, which focus on the engagement of civil bodies and social participation. The wetlands protection builds on changing the unsustainable practices, which an opportunity to mainstreaming the environmental identity, which aims to inactive the encroachment and pollution in the lake's water and its surrounding wetlands. Finally, the study recommends with a group of considerations, through the investigated study, to be a concern for a wider application on the distinctive environmental features.

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