JPI Urban Europe SUGI - CRUNCH: Climate Resilient Urban Nexus Choices: Operationalising the Food-Water-Energy Nexus

Completed

Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Energy system analysis)
Not Energy Related
Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Environmental, social and economic impacts)

Basic and strategic applied research

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Geography and Environmental Studies)
SOCIAL SCIENCES (Town and Country Planning)
SOCIAL SCIENCES (Politics and International Studies)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Architecture and the Built Environment)

Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Policy and regulation)
Not Cross-cutting

Professor S Lehmann
Faculty of Creative and Cultural Ind
University of Portsmouth

Standard

ESRC

01 April 2018

31 March 2021

36 months

£149,673

South East

Society & Global Security

Professor S Lehmann, Faculty of Creative and Cultural Ind, University of Portsmouth

Dr JC Brown, Geography, University of Portsmouth
Dr aa Melis, Architecture, University of Portsmouth
Professor D Ouelhadj, Mathematics, University of Portsmouth

Project Objectives:Objective 1: To identify knowledge needs in participating cities and create a platform that examines, structures and synthesises the existing knowledge; to assess the comparative position of European cities in reaching the resilience, resource efficiency and interconnected FWE-Nexus objectives - with a focus on socio-cultural-economic barriers.Objective 2: To rapidly evolve the knowledge base and co-created indicators for a practical assessment tool (the IDSS) that identifies enabling conditions and supports the desired urban transformation, with a focus on CO2 performance and reduction; identifying common challenges (especially socio-cultural-economic challenges).Objective 3: To develop an integrated FWE-Nexus systems framework, considering complex systems feedback mechanisms, to analyse spatial urban transformation to achieve climate resilience and enhancing the efficiency of urban systems.Objective 4: To investigate sustainable and resilient FWE-Nexus solutions for all of the ULL's using complex system models, data management options and strategies in order to build the Integrated Decision Support System.Objective 5: To create a network of knowledge sharing to effectively communicate outcomes with stakeholders and the wider researcher community, and to publish academic outcomes in relevant journals, conferences and on social media.Project Targets:The focus of CRUNCH will cover all three FWE sectors equally using the ULL design as the method of integration.Target 1: Developing a relevant and accessible urban sustainability knowledge base that addresses all three sectors (food, water and energy) simultaneously by identifying common knowledge needs and implementing an integrative approach; mapping the baseline local indicators against each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Target 2: Data gathering, analysing, synthesising and fusion of existing knowledge, innovation practices, and potential systemic solutions across the urban FWE-Nexus to compile the most feasible solutions (benchmarked against other EU developments).Target 3: Developing a knowledge platform, connecting researchers and stakeholders, linking knowledge to decision-making and implementation, and increase local capacity, using the IDSS as a multi-dimensional platform that allows for better evidence-based scenario testing/modelling, decision making, and as integrative node for research results from other projects. (Hoff, 2011)

CRUNCH will demonstrate how the Food-Water-Energy Nexus can strengthen urban resilience through creating an interconnected knowledge platform with cross-sectorial indicators for a support tool and assessment framework (the Integrated Decision Support System - IDSS), to guide and improve robust decision making on future urban development. In order to implement integrated Nexus solutions for FWE, CRUNCH will co-define context-specific challenges for each of the Urban Living Labs (ULLs) in the participating cities (Southend-on-Sea, Uppsala, Eindhoven and Gdansk; Miami and Taipei). It will deliver a comprehensive overview of potential solutions, deep knowledge and evidence for the co-design of the selected urban areas.The potential solutions include urban food production with renewable energy systems through biomass (anaerobic digestion using organic waste); holding, cleaning and draining water naturally through an integrative and systemic ecological approach combined with sustainable storage solutions and urban drainage (reducing flood risk).Using 4 (plus 2) ULL scenarios developed through CRUNCH for the participating cities, a context specific FWE-Nexus framework will be developed and visualised (supporting Follower/Multiplier Cities). To facilitate co-production and foster innovation and cost-effectiveness across the ULLs, the project proposes to underpin the processes by strategic trajectories through an evidence based framework for creating resource-efficient and resilient cities.The CRUNCH project addresses all three sectors of food, water and energy through the integrative FWE-Nexus approach.It aims to support local decision and policymakers, practitioners and civil society organisations by translating the key findings of a deep review of literature, knowledge and research evidence on the FWE-Nexus into the design of Urban Living Labs. The primary objective is the realisation of an Integrated Decision Support System (IDSS) as a multi-dimensional GIS-system (geographic information system supported) map-based baseline platform for decision makers that will provide consistent and coordinated support for multiple users on varied decisions in urban planning. The proposal creates a tool for integrated decisioning using the Urban Living Lab (ULL) approach; identifying the cities' needs, developing the tool and framework, testing and analysing the models using different scenarios

07/06/18