In the heart of our cities, where concrete and asphalt dominate, a quiet revolution is brewing. Researchers are turning overlooked urban spaces into pockets of green resilience, and their work could have significant implications for the energy sector. At the forefront of this movement is Tuba Doğu, an assistant professor at İzmir University of Economics, who has been exploring how temporary, nature-based solutions can transform our urban landscapes.
Doğu’s research, recently published in the *Journal of Design for Resilience in Architecture and Planning* (translated from Turkish as *Journal of Design for Resilience in Architecture and Planning*), focuses on what she calls “ephemeral landscapes”—temporary, low-cost, and low-tech interventions that engage citizens in creating permeable urban spaces. These spaces, often overlooked interstices in our cities, can be transformed into scalable, nature-based landscapes that enhance environmental resilience.
The potential of these interventions is significant. By increasing urban permeability, these solutions can help mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve stormwater management, and enhance biodiversity—all of which can contribute to more sustainable and resilient cities. For the energy sector, this could mean reduced energy consumption for cooling, improved air quality, and even opportunities for integrating renewable energy sources into urban landscapes.
Doğu’s research is not just theoretical. She has developed a conceptual framework that guides the transformation of these urban interstices through a process of experimentation, fabrication, and dissemination. This process involves incorporating nature-based aggregates, forming scalable and modular tiles, and creating social value through workshops. The goal is to inspire civic engagement and environmental awareness, offering a model for small-scale, bottom-up interventions that align with broader nature-based solutions objectives.
“The beauty of these interventions is that they are accessible and low-maintenance,” Doğu explains. “They engage citizens in the process of transforming their urban environment, creating a sense of ownership and responsibility.”
The implications for the energy sector are profound. As cities continue to densify, the demand for energy will only increase. By integrating nature-based solutions into urban landscapes, we can create more sustainable and resilient cities that are better equipped to withstand the impacts of climate change. This could lead to significant cost savings for energy providers, as well as improved public health and well-being.
Doğu’s research offers a comprehensive approach to urban resilience that bridges planning theories, material experimentation, and public engagement. It provides a roadmap for transforming underutilized urban spaces into vibrant, nature-based landscapes that enhance environmental resilience and foster civic engagement.
As we look to the future, the potential of these ephemeral landscapes is immense. They offer a glimpse into a world where our cities are not just concrete jungles, but vibrant, resilient ecosystems that support both people and nature. For the energy sector, this could mean a shift towards more sustainable and resilient urban environments that are better equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
In the words of Doğu, “The future of our cities lies in our ability to engage with nature, to create spaces that are not just functional, but also resilient and sustainable. This is not just about creating green spaces, but about transforming our urban landscapes into vibrant, living ecosystems that support both people and nature.”