SJEF JANSEN PLANECOLOGIE introduces “PLAN ECOLOGY”.

Plan ecology is the component of ecology dealing with planning. The term originates from the Danish : planøkologi or English plan ecology, see eg. Per Christensen (1990). In other Scandinavian countries the term is also sometimes used. The term shows exactly what some ecologists are doing: application of ecological knowledge in land planning and design.

Most near the name “plan ecology" is the term applied “landscape ecology”, but is less scientifically and more socially oriented. It has also a strong focus on interdisciplinary collaboration. Issues addressed in plan ecology are in addition to landscape ecology, environmental science, planning, landscape architecture and urban design. It deals with modern issues such as:

-  spatial solutions to climate change in nature and landscape

-  consequences of plans for European nature, like Natura 2000

-  natural aspects of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

-  ecological sustainability in landscape and urban planning

DESIGN AND NATURE. Ecologists are often scientifically trained biologists who are strongly guided by knowledge and analysis. The architect, landscape architect and urban designer sees the ecologist as an expert to provide information. Preferably, the designer not often invites the ecologist at the design table. At the most he gives the plan to the ecologist for a  test afterwards.  In nature projects, the roles are often reversed. Ecologists than often are designing the plan by themselves. The ecologist sees the designer than as someone who tests the specifications and calculations. In short, there is too little integration and too little cooperation. And it shows: plans of designers tend to run wild and plans of ecologists are not attractive.

Sjef Jansen Plan Ecology is an office that has a lot of respect for designers. It wants to cooperate in projects that are environmentally correct and excel in architecture and sustainability

WATER AND NATURE The Sea level is rising and river run-off is increasing. Although we can continue for a long time with pumping, sand suppletion, dams and dike building more often periods will occur that river water masses cannot be removed in a few days. A new generation of solutions is needed: either larger or more flexible. In the first category we find a new generation of coastal protection works and flood plains. In the second category belong water inclusive design, floating houses, reservoirs, waterlogging of peatlands and less compartments in polders.

Sjef Jansen Plan Ecology works on a new generation of water projects to cope with sea level rise in combination with increased river run-off.

POLICY AND NATURE. Sjef Jansen Plan Ecology knows a lot of Natura 2000. The agency can help promoters preventing blunders. Sometimes it will make an assessment and a plan-EIS is necessary. Also, Plan ecology can help the makers of the province and municipality to protect Natura 2000 sites and other natural areas in land use and policy plans.

A few years ago, it seemed to become quiet around environmental themes desiccation, acidification, eutrophication and disturbance. The spatial reconstruction of industrial farming, combined with technical means such as air scrubbers seemed to work out just fine to the solution of acidification and eutrophication. This appears now partly an illusion. The nitrogen levels are still much too high.

Sjef Jansen Plan Ecology looks for better solutions, solutions where everyone can live with. There should be agreement about the phasing of reduction in nitrogen load.

ENERGY AND NATURE. All energy sources have some impact on our environment. Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—do substantially more harm than renewable energy sources by most measures, including air and water pollution, damage to public health and global warming emissions.

However, renewable sources such as wind and solar energy also have environmental impacts, some of which are significant. The exact type and intensity of environmental impacts varies depending on the specific technology used, the geographic location, etc.

By understanding the current and potential environmental issues associated with renewable energy Sjef Jansen Plan Ecology can help to effectively avoid or minimize these impacts as they become a larger portion of our electric supply, so that there are not too many bats and birds flying against turbines and solar fields become richer in flora and fauna than the current agricultural lands.