Intelligent Urban Planning and Ecological Urbanscape-Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development. Case Study of Wolfsburg

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The paper presents only a proposal for urbanization in the northern part of the city. This proposal, although well-intentioned, lacks validation and evaluation of the real achievement of the objectives. The paper title points to a confrontation between Intelligent Urban Planning and Ecological Urbanism, which is not illustrated in the proposal developed.

The Introduction of this version is too long (about 1/3 of the paper - about 300 lines) and with excessive references to the North America (e.g. lines 137-164), which is significantly different from Europe, as say Litwinska (lines 134-135). All Introduction of this version should be a section that could be called Background or State of the Art. I suggest that the authors rewrite a new Introduction and that this new Introduction include the paper organization.

Although the reference to the Principles of New Urbanism can be included, they are somewhat marginal to the essential of the paper that is focused on Ecological Urbanism and Intelligent Urbanism (see title).

In the historical description of the city (sub-section 3.1), it would be interesting to note the relationship between the plans of figures 2 and 3 and the current city plan of figure 1.

Figures 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 can be improved to be better seen in the city context.

The Discussion section should be improved, namely by pointing out the limitations of the proposal.

Other remarks:

• The reference calls [16] on lines 229 and 235 do not appear to be correct.
• Where the reference [7] was used? I did not find it cited in the text.
• Line 236: please replace "Zuziak [13]" by "Zuziak [14]"

Author Response

Point 1: The paper presents only a proposal for urbanization in the northern part of the city. This proposal, although well-intentioned, lacks validation and evaluation of the real achievement of the objectives. The paper title points to a confrontation between Intelligent Urban Planning and Ecological Urbanism, which is not illustrated in the proposal developed.

Response 1: Due to the fact that the northern part of the city is the youngest and dynamically growing part of the city, it has an enormous potential for changing its sprawling character, starting with the study area and further on spreading on the city as a whole. Therefore, the conceptual proposal focuses on the creation of a compact built-up area, using the tools of Intelligent and Ecological Urbanism (also indicated in the text). In order to emphasize the role of the case study in the undertaken research, the title was supplemented with a second part (Case study of Wolfsburg). The „versus” part used in the title did not mean the juxtaposition of the two theories mentioned, but was used in the meaning of a „continuation” or „coherence”. It referred to two ideas, from which their characteristic design principles were simultaneously derived – both during the research and development design as solutions of the research objective. In order to make the intensions of the authors of the article clearer, the title was changed into: “Intelligent urban planning and ecological urbanscape - Solutions for sustainable urban development. Case study of Wolfsburg.”

Point 2: The Introduction of this version is too long (about 1/3 of the paper - about 300 lines) and with excessive references to the North America (e.g. lines 137-164), which is significantly different from Europe, as say Litwinska (lines 134-135). All Introduction of this version should be a section that could be called Background or State of the Art. I suggest that the authors rewrite a new Introduction and that this new Introduction include the paper organization.

Response 2: The introduction was divided into two sections (the literature review was separated). In the Introduction, the aim of the research was presented and the research questions were reformulated (they finally covered the origin of the suburbanization process, basic goals, values and principles of ecological urban planning used in the process of repairing the city’s structure and how to strengthen the local communities through urban planning and in accordance with the principles of the sustainable social development).

Point 3: The reference to the Principles of New Urbanism can be included, they are somewhat marginal to the essential of the paper that is focused on Ecological Urbanism and Intelligent Urbanism (see title).

Response 3: The research focused on the Intelligent Urbanism and Ecological Urbanism objectives. The Principles of New Urbanism were not the subject of the conceptual proposal; therefore, they seemed to be marginal to the essential part of the paper and, eventually, excluded from it.

Point 4: In the historical description of the city (sub-section 3.1), it would be interesting to note the relationship between the plans of figures 2 and 3 and the current city plan of figure 1. Figures 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 can be improved to be better seen in the city context.

Response 4: The graphic part was corrected according to the reviewer’s suggestions. The relationship between the plans of figures 1, 2 and 3 was both marked in the text and partially in the description of the figures. The context of the Figures 7,10,11,12,13 and 14 was indicated on the figure 1 with the usage of a green frames marking. Thanks to that, the further analysis part and proposal object were ‘placed’ in the city context.

Point 5: The Discussion section should be improved, namely by pointing out the limitations of the proposal.

Response 5: The discussion was supplemented with the references to the literature review (theoretical foundation of the research). The limitations of the research were indicated (lack of a broad public consultations), which results from the study and pre-implementation nature of the developed design solution. The possibility of implementing the research results in the further works on the development strategy of the city of Wolfsburg was indicated (case study).

Point 6: Other remarks: The reference calls [16] on lines 229 and 235 do not appear to be correct; Where the reference [7] was used? I did not find it cited in the text; Line 236: please replace "Zuziak [13]" by "Zuziak [14]"

Response 6: The indicated citation errors were corrected.

Author Response File: Author Response.doc

Reviewer 2 Report

There are too many textbook like contexts presented in the Introduction and it is difficult to get the major thesis of the paper. For example, there is no need to articulate every planning theory – only the ones used to define the research are needed. I recommend focusing on the theories relevant to Intelligent Urban Planning.

The 6 stated research questions are far too broad. “How to improve the quality of life” for example is not a research question. It is closer to a design project goal.

Although this paper's title is “Intelligent urban planning versus ecological urbanscape,” it is difficult to any comparison of these two concepts in the paper – or in the design project.

As a design description paper it is better suited to a landscape design journals or design magazine - after substantial revision.

Author Response

Point 1: There are too many textbook like contexts presented in the Introduction and it is difficult to get the major thesis of the paper. For example, there is no need to articulate every planning theory – only the ones used to define the research are needed. I recommend focusing on the theories relevant to Intelligent Urban Planning.

Response 1: The “Literature review” chapter was separated from the “Introduction”. The significant text abbreviations were made, the less relevant planning theories were not developed. The threads related to the values of Intelligent Urban Planning were developed.

Point 2: The 6 stated research questions are far too broad. “How to improve the quality of life” for example is not a research question. It is closer to a design project goal.

Response 2: The correction of the research questions was introduced. Finally, the three most important ones were identified, which helped to anchor the research in the theory of the subject.

Point 3: Although this paper's title is “Intelligent urban planning versus ecological urbanscape,” it is difficult to any comparison of these two concepts in the paper – or in the design project.

Response 3: The „versus” part used in the title did not mean the juxtaposition of the two theories mentioned, but was used in the meaning of a „continuation” or „coherence”. It referred to two ideas, from which their characteristic design principles were simultaneously derived – both during the research and development design as solutions of the research objective. In order to make the intensions of the authors of the article clearer, the title was changed into: “Intelligent urban planning and ecological urbanscape - Solutions for sustainable urban development. Case study of Wolfsburg.”

Author Response File: Author Response.doc

Reviewer 3 Report

This is a good article which should be considered for publication in journal Sustainability. However, there are two major issues which the authors have to revise: the structure of the article and the theoretical background of the article.

First, the structure of the article is very chaotically presented. I would propose the authors to follow a typical scientific article structure: Introduction, Literature review, Historical context (of Wolfsburg), Results, Discussions and Conclusions. At the moment the summary/conclusions come before discussions, while there is no clear-cut theoretical background presented as well as the article does not clearly show what is novel in its content or what brings new to the current theories in urban planning.

Second, the references in this article are scarce. There are only 36 references, which is very few. The authors have to reference more articles on (intelligent) urban development/urban planning and ecological urbanscape issues. See for instance the  work of a scholar: Intelligent urban development in journal Urban Studies, or take an other scholar's intelligent urban space as a factor of development for the smart cities etc.

Moreover, urban development and urban planning is usually connected to neoliberalism and authors can say something on how some European cities planners fight in-between preserving historical buildings and traditions. Connected to neoliberalism a 'politics of practicality' as development is also raised in the current literature of city-text planning and changes: see an article in Social and Cultural Geography by scholars in 2020 and see an article in journal Area.

Finally, a paragraph on how local people digest such intelligent and/or ecological changes is needed to be added. Is there a reaction of local people on such changes and are there marginal people in the city who are more integrated in the newly intelligent planned city? Authors can mention that sometimes changes in city planning and local authorities' decisions could lead to tensions among local people or exclusion of some people (see for instance an article in journal Urban History journal on a smart city)

The best merits of this article are the results and the maps included. The discussion and the conclusions could be developed. At least in the conclusions it should be mentioned the limitations of this study and how other authors could develop further the ideas in this article.

 

Author Response

Point 1: The structure of the article is very chaotically presented. I would propose the authors to follow a typical scientific article structure: Introduction, Literature review, Historical context (of Wolfsburg), Results, Discussions and Conclusions. At the moment the summary/conclusions come before discussions, while there is no clear-cut theoretical background presented as well as the article does not clearly show what is novel in its content or what brings new to the current theories in urban planning.

Response 1: The structure of the article was reorganized by introducing the division of the “Introduction” part. A sub-charter “Literature review” was separated. The conceptual proposal was supplemented with a list of the design problems that the authors faced in the case study section. The order of the “Discussion” and “Conclusions” sections has been corrected. The discussion was supplemented with references to the literature review (theoretical foundation of the research). The limitations of the research were indicated (lack of broad public consultations), which results from the study, pre-implementation nature of the developed design solution. The possibility of implementing the research results in further works on the development strategy of the Wolfsburg case study was indicated.

Point 2: The references in this article are scarce. There are only 36 references, which is very few. The authors have to reference more articles on (intelligent) urban development/urban planning and ecological urbanscape issues. See for instance the  work of a scholar: Intelligent urban development in journal Urban Studies, or take an other scholar's intelligent urban space as a factor of development for the smart cities etc.

Response 2: As a result of the reconstruction of the theoretical part of the article, the list of references to literature was extended, in particular to those items that discuss intelligent city development and the role of the green infrastructure in ecological urbanism. After the correction, the number of positions increased to 55 items.

Point 3: Urban development and urban planning is usually connected to neoliberalism and authors can say something on how some European cities planners fight in-between preserving historical buildings and tradition. Connected to neoliberalism a 'politics of practicality' as development is also raised in the current literature of city-text planning and changes: see an article in Social and Cultural Geography by scholars in 2020 and see an article in journal Area.

Response 3: The main emphasis was put on the study concept for the spatial repair of the scattered structure of today’s Wolfsburg. The main goal of the research was the developing of the design solution for a new urban structure for the city, in accordance with the principles of two complementary ideas: intelligent urban planning and ecological urbanism. This is the reason for the lack of consideration of neoliberalism in the urban planning.

Point 4: A paragraph on how local people digest such intelligent and/or ecological changes is needed to be added. Is there a reaction of local people on such changes and are there marginal people in the city who are more integrated in the newly intelligent planned city? Authors can mention that sometimes changes in city planning and local authorities' decisions could lead to tensions among local people or exclusion of some people (see for instance an article in journal Urban History journal on a smart city). In the conclusions it should be mentioned the limitations of this study and how other authors could develop further the ideas in this article

Response 4: The presented proposal for the repair actions of the urban layout was not the subject of a wide social discussion, which results from the study nature of the research. The research was not financed by the city. For this reason, it is difficult to discuss the attitude of the inhabitants to the proposed changes. Nevertheless, the obtained results can be treated as a phase preceding a possible broad social participation.

Author Response File: Author Response.doc

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper is much improved.  Still need a bit of english edit - too many 'the' s right now.

There is a still a long a laborious history of sprawl that is not necessary and takes away form the paper a bit. For example,  am not sure what value the frost 3 paragraphs in the let review add to your paper. A couple of framing sentences would be enough and help you focus on the literature that is more directly relevant to your work - i.e. what is needed is more directed literature review on the ideas presented in the paper.  

In terms of research questions, I would make them more specific.  - What are the origins of sprawl in 'Wolfsburg'?  Not generally or globally but specific to this work.  Global influences can be referenced - but focus on how these influences shape the case city.  Your current questions are too broad - each is a dissertation as written.  Maybe combine your over arching research questions with your case study - it will help to refocus the paper as noted above.

If you can follow your own conclusion - "The aim of this study was to create coherence for the northern part of the city and to suggest a new direction in the urban development for the city of Wolfsburg." - and cut the broad, historic, sprawl and urbanism discussions down.  The paper would be much improved.  The back end is good and should be the focus - as noted in your conclusion.

Author Response

Point 1: Still need a bit of english edit - too many 'the' s right now.

Response 1: The text has been revised linguistically (paying special attention to the determiner “the”).

Point 2: There is a still a long a laborious history of sprawl that is not necessary and takes away form the paper a bit. For example,  am not sure what value the frost 3 paragraphs in the let review add to your paper. A couple of framing sentences would be enough and help you focus on the literature that is more directly relevant to your work - i.e. what is needed is more directed literature review on the ideas presented in the paper.

Response 2: The introduction was corrected in terms of its content and the part describing the history of urban sprawl was significantly shortened, as well as more attention was paid to those ideas that are more closely related to the discussed case study – Wolfsburg (Ecological Urbanism, Intelligent Urbanism). More attention was also paid to green infrastructure. In the literature review, the issues related to the above-mentioned issues were supplemented with new literature items (in total, the review was supplemented with citations from 13 items).

Point 3: In terms of research questions, I would make them more specific. What are the origins of sprawl in 'Wolfsburg'?  Not generally or globally but specific to this work.  Global influences can be referenced - but focus on how these influences shape the case city.  Your current questions are too broad - each is a dissertation as written.  Maybe combine your over arching research questions with your case study - it will help to refocus the paper as noted above.

Response 3: Research questions have been corrected in their notation. The question about the origin/ sources of suburbanization was made more specific, supplemented with the search for its most important elements that had an impact on the current structure of Wolfsburg. In this way, general solutions were brought closer to the main city discussed in the article. In the third research question, the current general level was also focused on the problems of social participation at the pre-conception stage discussed here, but still considering the role of urban design in shaping social process.

Point 4: If you can follow your own conclusion - "The aim of this study was to create coherence for the northern part of the city and to suggest a new direction in the urban development for the city of Wolfsburg." - and cut the broad, historic, sprawl and urbanism discussions down.  The paper would be much improved.  The back end is good and should be the focus - as noted in your conclusion.

Response 4: An attempt was made to limit the content described in the article related to the historical background of the described urban phenomena.

Author Response File: Author Response.doc

Reviewer 3 Report

I would like to accept this paper for publication. Authors have nicely revised the introduction and have improved the literature review of the paper.

As a very minor point, the reference list should be attentively written in Sustainability reference style, because most of newly added cited articles don't have details about volume, issue and pages in which they were published (see for instance the eight cited article in Urban Geography is published in volume 40, issue 6 and will be written as 40(6): 805-825)or other works are too simply left in the references (as WOLFSBURG STATISTICS 2018). Also, to all articles in the reference list DOI numbers should be added.

Author Response

Comment: As a very minor point, the reference list should be attentively written in Sustainability reference style, because most of newly added cited articles don't have details about volume, issue and pages in which they were published (see for instance the eight cited article in Urban Geography is published in volume 40, issue 6 and will be written as 40(6): 805-825)or other works are too simply left in the references (as WOLFSBURG STATISTICS 2018). Also, to all articles in the reference list DOI numbers should be added.

Response: The bibliographic list was supplemented with the necessary data, including DOI umber, source links; and the transcripts in both the above-mentioned the final statement as well as in the text itself.

Author Response File: Author Response.doc

Round 3

Reviewer 2 Report

Nice work. The paper is much improved.