Table 2 Inductive-deductive coding system
Vision elements | Definition of vision elements | Questions guiding the analysis | Deductive codes | Inductive subcodes | References in documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CO2 neutral, reduction of emissions | “Carbon neutrality means annual zero net anthropogenic (human caused or influenced) CO2 emissions by a certain date. By definition, carbon neutrality means every ton of anthropogenic CO2 emitted is compensated with an equivalent amount of CO2 removed.” (Levin et al. 2015) | In how far policy strategies are promoting CO2 neutral urban planning activities? | CO2 neutral urban planning activities | General activities | 23 |
Activities based on biobased innovations and solutions | 1 | ||||
Climate adaptive | “Adaptation refers to adjustments in ecological, social, or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli and their effects or impacts. It refers to changes in processes, practices, and structures to moderate potential damages or to benefit from opportunities associated with climate change.” (UNFCCC 2019) | Do policy strategies integrate climate protection and adaptation activities into long-term urban infrastructure decisions? | Climate protection and adaptation activities | General activities | 4 |
Activities based on biobased innovations and solutions | 0 | ||||
Energy efficient | “Energy efficiency, (…), describes the ratio between the benefit gained and the energy used.” (Irrek and Thomas 2008) | Do policy strategies promote biobased innovations and solutions to improve energy efficiency in cities? | Improved energy efficiency | 0 | |
Closed material and energy cycles | “Circular economy is a sustainable development initiative with the objective of reducing the societal production-consumption systems’ linear material and energy throughput flows by applying materials cycles, renewable and cascade-type energy flows to the linear system.” (Korhonen et al. 2018, p. 547) | Do policy strategies encourage the development of a sustainable urban circular bioeconomy? Do policy strategies promote the establishment of urban biorefineries and/or comprehensive recycling systems? | Urban circular bioeconomy | Recycling of residuals, bio-waste & discards | 9 |
Nutrient recovery | 1 | ||||
Renewable resources, cropping techniques and biotechnology | “Establish and recover territories for wetlands, forests and green spaces by applying environmental biotechnology, optimized plants and biological cropping techniques.” (Cuhls et al. 2015, p. 46) | Do policy strategies promote the construction and recovery of wetlands, forests and green spaces in cities and urban areas by applying environmental biotechnology, optimized crops and organic farming techniques? | Construction/recovery of wetlands, forests and green spaces | 0 | |
Resource efficient | “Resource efficiency means using the Earth’s limited resources in a sustainable manner while minimizing impacts on the environment. It allows us to create more with less and to deliver greater value with less input.” (European Commission 2019a) | In how far policy strategies are fostering the efficient use of resources in cities and urban areas? | Efficient, resource-saving water, material flow & land management | 3 | |
High quality of life | “(…) quality of life does not only depend on a society’s gross domestic product and individual incomes. People need access to important services like education, health and housing.” (WGBU 2016, p. 7) | Do policy strategies ensure an increasing quality of life in cities, and that people can make the most of their potential? | Urban quality of life | 0 | |
Liveable | “The concept of liveability (…) assesses (…) living conditions (…) across five broad categories of stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.” (EIU 2022) | Do policy strategies contribute to making cities worth living in? Do policy strategies support the well-being of urban residents? | Liveability & well-being | 0 | |
Social inclusive | “(…) Ensuring access to the resources and rights needed for participation in society, (…).” (European Commission Eurostat 2019) | Do policy strategies promote comprehensive inclusion? | Inclusion | Political inclusion | 2 |
Empowerment of the urban population | 1 | ||||
Greener cities | “Green cities are defined as those that are environmentally friendly. The greening of cities requires some, or preferably all, of the following: (1) controlling diseases and their health burden; (2) reducing chemical and physical hazards; (3) developing high quality urban environments for all; (4) minimizing transfers of environmental costs to areas outside the city; and (5) ensuring progress towards sustainable consumption.” (Pace et al. 2016, p. 5) | Are policy strategies fostering urban green areas that provide retreats and contribute to biodiversity, water regulation and filtration, air cleaning, halting soil erosion and desertification, mitigating temperature extremes and human recreation? Do policy strategies promote sustainable lifestyles and sustainable bio-based consumption? Do policy strategies promote greening technologies, green spaces and green belts, as well as urban gardens, or the integration of existing allotment and home garden structures? | Green areas | Urban gardens | 1 |
Rehabilitation of urban brownfields | 4 | ||||
Green spaces | 3 | ||||
Tree planting | 2 | ||||
Green roofs & walls | 1 | ||||
Integration of biological principles into urban planning and city life | “Navigation, traffic regulation and logistic systems that function on the basis of bio-inspired and natural principles.” (Cuhls et al. 2015, p. 46) | In how far policy strategies promote the integration of bio-inspired and natural principles in urban planning and city life? | Integration of biological and natural principles | 1 | |
Locally coordinated production, provision, use and recycling systems | “Cities are fully integrated into the region and suburban areas are part of sustainable urban supply systems for food, feedstock and energy instead of being designed as purely dormitory towns.” (Cuhls et al. 2015, p. 46) | Do policy strategies encourage the development of integrated urban supply systems for food, feedstock and energy? Are policy strategies promoting the self-sufficient production of urban energy, food and goods? | Urban food systems | Urban farming | 10 |
Reduction of wastes and losses | “Municipal waste covers household waste and waste similar in nature and composition to household waste.” (European Commission Eurostat 2017) “Food loss is the decrease in the quantity or quality of food resulting from decisions and actions by food suppliers in the chain, excluding retailers, food service providers and consumers.” (FAO 2019) “Food waste refers to the decrease in the quantity or quality of food resulting from decisions and actions by retailers, food service providers and consumers.” (FAO 2019) | Do policy strategies promote the development of strategies to prevent urban food wastes and losses? | Prevention of food wastes and losses | 0 | |
Integration and decentralization of spaces for recreation, production, services, work and living | “(…) work, shopping and leisure spaces are integrated into urban residential areas.” (Cuhls et al. 2015, p. 45) Industrial production is green (clean air, silent, green logistics, etc.) and co-exists with residential living.” (Cuhls et al. 2015, p. 46) | To what extent do policy strategies support the multifunctional spatial use and polycentric design of cities? Are policy strategies fostering green urban industrial production? | Polycentric spatial design of cities | 1 | |
Multifunctional spatial use | 1 | ||||
Green urban industrial production | 0 | ||||
Innovate sustainable building designs and construction techniques referring to biological principles and renewable resources | “Design solutions and functional materials that make use of energy depots, natural lightening, wastewater systems and strategic planting to achieve energy and water autonomy.” (Cuhls et al. 2015, p. 46) | Are policy strategies promoting the use of innovative biobased and residual materials, such as wood and biobased composites, to foster the construction of buildings with low ecological footprints and flexible use? | Biobased & residual materials | Wood construction | 2 |
New composites | 1 |