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Transformative low-carbon urban innovations: Operationalizing transformative capacity for urban planning
Fatemeh Shahani1, Melissa Pineda-Pinto2, Niki Frantzeskaki2
1Centre for Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. fshahani@swin.edu.au.
Ambio
|November 29, 2021
Summary
Urban planners can accelerate sustainability transitions by understanding the transformative capacity of low-carbon innovations. This study synthesizes research on people-based and nature-based solutions to guide urban innovation and planning for sustainable futures.
Area of Science:
- Urban planning and sustainability science.
- Innovation studies and transformative capacity frameworks.
- Environmental policy and urban development.
Background:
- Cities drive sustainability transitions through innovation, requiring planners to identify high-potential solutions.
- Existing transformative capacity frameworks are often too abstract for practical urban planning.
- A need exists for operationalizable frameworks to guide investment in urban transformation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an operational version of the transformative capacity framework for urban planning.
- To identify characteristics of low-carbon innovations that contribute to their transformative capacity.
- To inform urban planners with actionable insights for low-carbon urban futures.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic scoping review of academic literature.
- Analyzed and synthesized 65 records on low-carbon people-based and nature-based innovations.
- Examined bridging frameworks to connect research with urban planning practice.
Main Results:
- Identified key dimensions of transformative capacity in low-carbon innovations.
- Synthesized knowledge on people-based and nature-based low-carbon solutions.
- Provided a basis for a more practical transformative capacity framework.
Conclusions:
- Understanding innovation characteristics is crucial for accelerating urban sustainability transitions.
- The findings support the science-policy interface by synthesizing knowledge on effective urban innovations.
- This research offers practical elements for urban planners to foster low-carbon urban development.
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