Energy Landscapes
The three main renewable sources explored in energy landscapes.
What are solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy?
What term describes the use of natural, renewable sources instead of fossil fuels?
What is the global energy transition?
“Integrate, don’t segregate” and it's relationship to multifunctional design
What is the overlap energy, ecology, and social functions rather than separating them
Green infrastructure.
What is a network of natural and semi-natural systems that provide ecosystem services?
The project that transformed an abandoned elevated rail line into a green public park in New York City.
What is the High Line?
Sheep grazing used to maintain vegetation under solar panels.
What is solar grazing?
What are two key challenges of solar energy landscapes?
What are visual monotony and loss of agricultural land/habitat?
A social value designers should consider when planning energy landscapes
What is community needs such as recreation, education, or local identity?
An example of stormwater green infrastructure.
What are bioswales, rain gardens, green roofs, permeable paving, or constructed wetlands?
The large U.S. wind farm that produces 1,550 MW and coexists with cattle ranching.
What is Alta Wind Energy Center?
A key challenge when wind farms are located in sensitive habitats.
What is bird and bat mortality (or habitat fragmentation)?
What landscape feature can be used beneath solar panels to promote biodiversity?
What are shade-tolerant native plantings or pollinator meadows?
Turning an infrastructure project into a local landmark rather than an eyesore.
Embracing visibility and celebrating technology through artistic design
The four categories of ecosystem services provided by green infrastructure.
What are Regulating, Provisioning, Cultural, Supporting?
The solar installation designed by Walter Hood that integrates energy and ecology on a university campus.
What is Solar Strand?
What are the five dimensions of multifunctional energy landscapes?
Productive, Ecological, Hydrological, Social, Aesthetic
Why might community solar gardens include educational programming?
To build public understanding and support for renewable energy.
Why is a purely “form follows function” mindset inadequate for sustainable infrastructure?
It focuses on a single purpose and ignores ecological, social, and aesthetic performance.
Three strategies for mitigating urban heat through green infrastructure.
What is increasing tree canopy, green roofs, cool pavements, or water features?
The project in Harbin, China that treats stormwater while preserving wetland habitat
What is Qunli Stormwater Park?
What are two strategies for making large-scale renewable energy projects more publicly accepted?
Incorporate public access/education and make the infrastructure visually appealing.
Why is multifunctionality a critical goal for renewable energy landscapes?
Because it maximizes energy, ecological, and social benefits on limited land.
What are the “five dimensions” of multifunctionality that should guide a designer’s decision-making process?
Balancing productive (energy), ecological, hydrological, social, and aesthetic functions in every design move.
Green gentrification and why is it a challenge.
What is environmental improvements that raise property values and displace vulnerable communities.
The unbuilt project in Washington, DC that integrates social equity and stormwater treatment
What is 11th Street Bridge Park?