Conclusions from Hybrid workshop “Common Ground for Energy Landscapes” 31 Aug - 1 September 2023
The topic of renewable energy production in the landscape has now become an international collaboration. At a 2-day workshop in Copenhagen on 31st August - 1st September, the most topical issues and examples of renewable energy projects in northern Europe were discussed.
In a roundtable on the first day, the urgency to reduce energy consumption, the increasing scale and pace of energy developments, the importance of community involvement and the need for an integrated approach to the climate and energy crisis were addressed.
These discussions increase understanding and generate a “common ground” of issues that need to be addressed and for the role of landscape architects in the energy transition.
A key observation is that the role of landscape architects stands best with early involvement in planning processes, to avoid problems and conflicts and add value by design.
On the second day, the group discussed the aims and contents of the position paper, before heading to a 50-ha solar farm near the small town of Karise in Denmark. Wind turbines were also visible on the site and gave a starting point for good discussions on scale and multi-purpose planning of energy production in the landscape.
The results of the workshop will be included in a white paper on good planning and design of renewable energy and advocating the role of landscape architects.
The workshop was organised by the network (Community of Practice) of practicing landscape architects working on energy landscapes, initiated by the Nordic, Baltic and Dutch associations for landscape architecture and supported by IFLA Europe. A total of 21 people in person and 45 online participated in the workshop.
The seminar recording is available on IFLA Europe’s YouTube channel (link).
Contact information:
For more information, please contact the IFLA Europe Secretariat, secretariat@iflaeurope.eu
Organisers:
Elzelina van Melle, National Association of Danish Landscape Architects
Gertjan Jobse, National Finnish Association of Landscape Architects
