TIPUM: Toward an Interdisciplinary Perspective on Urban Metabolism

Description and aim

The aim of the workshop is to develop a better understanding of the dynamics, driving forces, and transitions in urban metabolism. This understanding will help to formulate more suitable response strategies in urban areas around the world to deal with the simultaneous risks and opportunities of the changing urban metabolism and to manage the necessary transitions.

This Lorentz @Snellius workshop will be considered a success if we have reached the following objectives:

1.    A better understanding of the meaning of cultural, economic, technological and climate changes on urban metabolism

2.    A better understanding of attributes and changes in socio-demographics and lifestyles on consumption of energy, water, food and materials and production of waste

3.    A better understanding of attributes and changes in microclimates and built-up environments on consumption of energy, water, food and materials and production of waste

4.    Identification of (GIS) methods to analyse urban metabolism and to support decision-making of stakeholders in planning

5.    Identification of planning methods and measures to increase self-sufficiency of urban systems and address inequalities, as well as the dynamics (including drivers and barriers).

6.    Providing the basis for a firm theoretical and methodological multidisciplinary framework to understand the drivers and dynamics behind urban metabolism and to identify the interactions (synergies and conflicts) between the various flows