Brief Summary
Cities are vibrant and complex systems where a wide range of needs come together in a small space. They consist of many sub-systems such as mobility, energy, housing and green spaces. The interactions that occur between these sub-systems give rise to numerous trade-offs. A typical example is the question of how to create enough living space without losing valuable green spaces. The research project “Trade-offs in the City System” (TOCSY) investigates how such challenges can be identified, evaluated and solved using modern simulation and optimization methods. The aim is to make cities more sustainable and to facilitate decision-making processes in urban development. To achieve these goals, a four-step approach is taken.
1) Identifying trade-offs: First, existing trade-offs in cities are analyzed. To do this, relevant studies, reports and municipal planning documents are evaluated. This approach provides a well-founded overview of the most important challenges for balanced decision-making.
2) Practice check: To verify the relevance of the identified trade-offs and to investigate relevant variables, experts from municipalities and city planning offices are involved. Workshops and surveys are used to identify the most pressing trade-off challenges for sustainable city development.
3) Develop solutions: A trade-off that is considered relevant and transferable is examined in more detail using a specific case study from a city or neighborhood. With the help of simulation and optimization approaches, possible scenarios are tested and evaluated.
4) Transferability: Finally, it is examined how the developed solutions can be applied in other cities or neighborhoods.
The research project contributes to the development and implementation of practical solutions for current urban challenges. The combination of scientific analysis and practical application provides valuable insights for urban planners, municipalities, and all those who contribute to sustainable urban development.
Researcher
Dr.Ing. Roland Reiterberger
