Die Energiewende durch bürgerschaftliches Engagement
Möglichkeiten digitaler Visualisierungen – eine Analyse in der Region Südwestfalen
The energy transition is one of the largest technological and infrastructural processes of change that society is facing today and in the future. It is a joint project, involving different participants in different ways. Although the federal government sets the goals and frame conditions, the active part, the implementation of energy transition takes place in cities and local communities. Therefore, particularly civil engagement is required hence support and encouragement should be given by policy and planning.
The challenges in rural areas differ significantly from those in urban areas. The possibilities and potentials of extending renewable energies and energy efficiency vary due to geographical, infrastructural, social and demographical conditions and resources.
This masterthesis deals with the question, according to transition research, how civil engagement can be initiated; it also looks at the potential of visual cartography as an instrument in this context.
The analyses for the present paper were conducted in the region of South Westphalia ("Südwestfalen"). Firstly, the practical case study "Dorf ist Energie(klug)" served to filter out and evaluate potentials of civil engagement in rural areas. Secondly, the possible role of digital visualisation to promote civil engagement was analysed based on existing visualisation tools in the study area.
Based on the analysis results, a "Bürgerenergiekompass" for the area in Hochsauerlandkreis was developed, which is also so the result of this work. This "Bürgerenergiekompass" is an example for a visualisation tool which is fulfilling as many requirements as possible to support the civil engagement in implementing the energy revolution especially in South Westphalia's rural areas.
Felicia Alina Becker:
Die Energiewende durch bürgerschaftliches Engagement
Möglichkeiten digitaler Visualisierungen - eine Analyse in der Region Südwestfalen
Wuppertal 2016, ISBN 978-3-929944-99-0
(Wuppertaler Studienarbeiten zur nachhaltigen Entwicklung no. 9)