Papers by Vanessa Miriam Carlow
AMPS PROCEEDINGS SERIES 32 Representing Pasts -Visioning Futures, 2023
Cities and urban regions are complex and dynamic systems, constantly in flux. The attempt to repr... more Cities and urban regions are complex and dynamic systems, constantly in flux. The attempt to represent material and immaterial interrelations and activities in the context of the built environment in its spatio-temporal ebb and flow is in traditional media such as film always a collage of unique, concrete moments captured at a specific time and place. With the rise of pervasive computing, digital and information technology, however, the capturing and representation of urban flows and rhythms have taken an abstract and quantitative turn. Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile computing devices allow to collect a continuous flow of data on spatial practices and their rhythms, whose analysis provides not only new representations of urban space but also a deeper understanding of it. This paper juxtaposes Lefebvre’s Rhythmanalysis and urban analytics by comparing respective approaches, methods and tools. It explores data-driven and -informed representations of the city and the rhythms and flows of people, things and the built environment within it alongside research activities at the Spatial Analytics and Crossdisciplinary Experimentation (SpACE) Lab at the Institute for Sustainable Urbanism (ISU). The paper concludes by critically discussing the short-comings and opportunities of urban analytics as contemporary form of Rhythmanalysis as well as by laying out a trajectory for future research.
De Gruyter eBooks, Dec 31, 2023
Ecology and the Environment, May 19, 2015
Because of its containment by the Wall during the years 1961-1990, West Berlin experienced a stri... more Because of its containment by the Wall during the years 1961-1990, West Berlin experienced a strict limitation on its physical boundary. This condition, plus the transition from an industrial to a service-oriented economy characteristic of this period, gave rise to a particular experimental urban culture. Based on an attitude of treating space as a scarce resource, this culture led to the opening of sites with very difficult conditions for development, for example those close to major infrastructural arteries. This paper examines these "impossible" sites-sites, which under conventional circumstances would have been considered too difficult or unmanageable for development, but which in West Berlin were used for development of various kinds. Presented as case studies, these sites reveal experimentation with mix of functions, formal architectural language, public space typologies, and technical strategies to deal with adverse environmental hazards, such as noise and air pollution. In addition, innovation in urban policies, such as the International Building Exhibition program, also emerged. While cities today may not face the particular conditions as faced by West Berlin during its period of containment, space is indeed increasingly scarce in rapidly urbanizing regions, and a shift in attitudes and thinking about urban space is critical for sustainable development and planning. The case of West Berlin offers important lessons on how users and policies can adapt creatively to conditions of scarce space. The paper concludes with hypotheses about opening up as yet "impossible" sites for development in other contexts, and how challenges in accessibility and perception could be overcome to make these spaces "productive."
Marine Policy, Sep 1, 2020
The ecosystem-based management (EBM) philosophy draws upon the principle that holistic understand... more The ecosystem-based management (EBM) philosophy draws upon the principle that holistic understanding of the system to be governed needs to guide the decisionmaking process. However, empirical evidence is growing that knowledge integration is still a main bottleneck for EBM decision-makers. This paper argues that transdisciplinary knowledge management (TKM) is a key competence in achieving knowledge integration, while simultaneously it represents an underdeveloped research area in EBM if understood as a process of human interaction. Based on a literature review, this article summarizes and reflects upon the most recent development in the field of TKM. The paper presents a detailed definition and in-depth description of TKM as a process of human interaction and a diversity of organizational structures that effectuate TKM. Theoretically discussed premises are furthermore illuminated and evaluated by a case study that exemplifies pro-active development and implementation of TKM. Deviating case observations are presented as novel contributions to the field. They suggest new ideas and inspiration for future EBM research and policy agendas.
De Gruyter eBooks, Dec 31, 2021
Landscape architecture's fundamental task is to uncover and develop the specificity of a site. SP... more Landscape architecture's fundamental task is to uncover and develop the specificity of a site. SPECIFICS emphasizes the differences of qualities of a location and invites to focus and concentrate on significant strategies for research and teaching in view of recent insights and global developments.
De Gruyter eBooks, Dec 31, 2023
De Gruyter eBooks, Dec 31, 2023
The idea of a green belt around London emerged in the 19th century in response in large part to t... more The idea of a green belt around London emerged in the 19th century in response in large part to the catastrophic urban health conditions of that period. At a time when cholera was believed to be airborne, providing fresh air for the city became a question of public heath. Communal parks and green girdles or belts were installed as a policy response to emergencies such as the cholera outbreak in Soho in 1853-54, to serve as the "green lungs" for the city. The resultant green area around the city protected from urban development was thus conceived of as an urban infrastructure for health. In recent years, however, the Green Belt infrastructure has been foregrounded in the effort to promote environmentally friendly sustainable development; the last two Mayors of London have both declared further protection and extension of London's Green Belt under the banner of sustainability. This paper examines how the discourse around and functionality of London's Green Belt has evolved since its conception as an urban public health strategy, from a health-scape to a variegated infra-scape. The paper concludes with suggestions on how the narrative and management of the London Green Belt could be adapted to contemporary ideas for environmental and social sustainability, including promoting health and liveability.
Co-authors: Zhu, P., Wilken, T., Carlow, V. M., & Endres, E.
Sustainability, Oct 23, 2014
If space may be conceptualized as a natural resource, much like gas, oil, or minerals, then its p... more If space may be conceptualized as a natural resource, much like gas, oil, or minerals, then its production and use can also be thought of as something to be properly managed, taken care of, and not wasted. Limiting the expansion of the footprint of built-up land in urban areas forces this particular resource (space) to be used more efficiently-in a sense, compelling it to be more creative and productive. These spatial constraints on urban areas generate different kinds of densification processes within the existing city, propagating densification, and with it new patterns and uses in urban development, as well as novel approaches to mitigating the hazards of dense urban environments. This paper examines the case of how spatial containment in West Berlin during the period of the Berlin Wall (1961-1989) produced such outcomes. West Berlin during this period can be considered a unique case of spatial containment, where a relatively large and vibrant modern city had to work around a clear and indelible limit to its physical expansion. This paper will discuss ways in which the containment influenced patterns of development in West Berlin toward densification and connectivity, focusing on the expansion of its infrastructural networks, and discuss the development of a new building culture around transformation and densification, including hybrid architectures and mitigation devices to deal with difficult sites produced by the densification.
Sustainable Cities and Society
De Gruyter eBooks, Dec 31, 2023
arXiv (Cornell University), Dec 28, 2022
Explainable numerical representations of otherwise complex datasets are vital as they extract rel... more Explainable numerical representations of otherwise complex datasets are vital as they extract relevant information, which is more convenient to analyze and study. These latent representations help identify clusters, and outliers and assess the similarity between data points. The 3-D model of buildings is one dataset that possesses inherent complexity given the variety in footprint shape, distinct roof types, walls, height, and volume. Traditionally, comparing building shapes requires matching their known properties and shape metrics with each other. However, this requires obtaining a plethora of such properties to calculate similarity. In contrast, this study utilizes an autoencoder-based method to compute the shape information in a fixed-size vector form that can be compared and grouped with the help of distance metrics. This study uses "FoldingNet," a 3D autoencoder, to generate the latent representation of each building from the obtained LOD2 GML dataset of German cities and villages. The Cosine distance is calculated for each latent vector to determine the locations of similar buildings in the city. Further, a set of geospatial tools is utilized to iteratively find the geographical clusters of buildings with similar forms. The state of Brandenburg in Germany is taken as an example to test the methodology. The study introduces a novel approach to finding similar buildings and their geographical location, which can define the neighborhood's character, history, and social setting. Further, the process can be scaled to include multiple settlements where more regional insights can be made.
De Gruyter eBooks, Dec 31, 2023
De Gruyter eBooks, Dec 31, 2023
De Gruyter eBooks, Dec 31, 2023
Journal of Planning Literature, 2022
Rising complexities and uncertainties have emphasized the need to employ scenario thinking in urb... more Rising complexities and uncertainties have emphasized the need to employ scenario thinking in urban design and planning. While different scenario methods have been widely used across disciplines, a comprehensive review of scenario approaches in planning literature is limited. Thus, we provide an overview of scenarios and existing scenario approaches currently in practice. We also review a scenario building process to provide a guide for developing scenarios in the context of urban design and planning. The process highlights the different steps that contribute to adaptive planning and improve decision-making.
Applied Energy, 2022
Co-authors: Zhu, P., Mumm, O., Zeringue, R., Endres, E., & Carlow, V.
Soziale und kulturelle Vielfalt des Quartiers stärken Hohe funktionale Vielfalt gewährleisten Bet... more Soziale und kulturelle Vielfalt des Quartiers stärken Hohe funktionale Vielfalt gewährleisten Beteiligung, Engagement und Eigeninitiative fördern 3 HANDLUNGSSTRATEGIEN FÜR SOZIALE QUARTIERE 3.1 Grundbedürfnisse sichern und Chancen eröffnen 3.1.1 Wohnen Bezahlbaren Wohnraum und ausgewogene Mischung der Mietniveaus fördern Gestaltungsräume in der Quartiersentwicklung gemeinsam nutzen Übergänge von Lebensphasen im Quartier gestalten Empfehlungen für das Handlungsfeld Wohnen 3.1.2 Öffentlicher Raum-Grün im Quartier Gut gestaltete öffentliche Räume stärken das Quartier Private Initiativen gezielt einbeziehen Gute Mischung öffentlicher und privater Räume belebt das Quartier Empfehlungen für das Handlungsfeld Öffentlicher Raum 3.1.3 Infrastruktur und Dienstleistungen Mit innovativen Konzepten quartiersnahe Versorgungsangebote ermöglichen Gemeinsam Angebote identifizieren und initiieren Soziale Rathäuser und Verwaltungsstützpunkte schaffen Empfehlungen für das Handlungsfeld Infrastruktur und Dienstleistungen 3.1.4 Bildung Die besten Schulen vor allem in den schwächsten Quartieren verankern Statteilbezogene Schulen zu Orten der Begegnung und Integration machen Lernumgebung durch kohärente Finanzierung und qualitative Vergabekriterien positiv gestalten Ansässige oder quartiersnahe Gewerbe frühzeitig miteinbeziehen Empfehlungen für das Handlungsfeld Bildung 4 6 8 8 8 INHALT 3.1.5 Arbeit und lokale Wirtschaft Das Potenzial der Quartiere für Arbeit und lokale Unternehmen aktivieren Zonen für sich verändernde Nutzungsformen schaffen Soziale-Orte-Konzept in Kooperationen entwickeln und umsetzen Steuerungsfunktion der kommunalen Verwaltung wahrnehmen Empfehlungen für das Handlungsfeld Arbeit und lokale Wirtschaft 3.1.6 Mobilität Quartiere durch Mobilität qualifizieren und Chancen der Bewohner_innen erhöhen Vielfältige Nutzungsformen des öffentlichen Raums einbeziehen Potenziale des ÖPNV nutzen Vernetzung der Verkehrsmittel unterstützen Empfehlungen für das Handlungsfeld Mobilität 3.2. Aktive Quartierspolitik: Identifikation, Selbstorganisation, Selbststeuerungskräfte und Eigeninitiative Möglichkeiten und Grenzen ehrenamtlichen Engagements erkennen und respektieren Qualifizierung, Kooperation und Beteiligungsformen ehrenamtlicher Arbeit fördern Rahmenbedingungen für langfristiges selbstorganisiertes Engagement schaffen Beteiligungsprozesse offen und transparent gestalten Bewohner_innen frühzeitig einbeziehen und umfassend informieren Empfehlungen für aktive Quartierspolititk 4 RAHMENBEDINGUNGEN GEMEINSAMER QUARTIERSGESTALTUNG Individuelle Entwicklungskonzepte erstellen und evaluieren Ressortübergreifende Planungen und Förderungen gewährleisten Quartiersmanagements langfristig in ihrer Moderationsfunktion stärken Strukturelle Hürden in der Verwaltung abbauen Neue Formen der Partizipation erproben Ressourcenstärkere Quartiere und Unternehmen für Solidarität in der Stadt gewinnen Empfehlungen für Rahmenbedingungen gemeinsamer Quartiersgestaltung Autor_innen 14
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Papers by Vanessa Miriam Carlow
In E.-W. Luthe, S. V. Müller, & I. Schiering (Eds.), Assistive Technologien im Sozial- und Gesundheitssektor. Springer VS. (in press).
Eds. Carlow, V., Institute for Sustainable Urbanism ISU.