<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> During January 2009 millions of Eastern Europeans discovered how precarious their modern lifestyles were, when suddenly a dispute between a private corporation and a foreign state shut off the supply of gas. What would happen in the event of serious unrest in the oil production hubs of the world? Or simply; if the fuels we have become so dependent on, once again hit the price levels of the summer of 2008 …or higher…and stayed?In particular: What would happen to the specific Czech rural area of Bouzovsko, if suddenly -or during a 15 year time span- a drastic shortage of fossil fuels occurred? Would it be possible to gradually implement a sustainable ‘bottom-up’ plan of resilience towards such as situation?This paper argues the potential of introducing ‘The 12 steps of Transition’ to Bouzovsko, in accordance with ‘The Transition Handbook’. Such steps include elements of landscape ecology, environmental management, renewable energy planning, along with enhancing the social infrastructure of the area, and securing local economy. The ‘transition movement’ is rapidly spreading across the world as it aims to prepare for such a possibility, through a communal based positive gradual energy descent. It is designed as a participatory response to the Peak Oil phenomena.The research brought forth the conclusion that it is unlikely to implement the Transition approach in socially/culturally less favorable areas; that the parameter which prevents this is the lack of a popular understanding (by the local population) that there is no other way possible, and finally that the best way to ensure any resilience is to follow the model of the ‘Shock Doctrine’: A small group of citizens unite to create a specialized plan for transition to a minimal fossil fuel dependence in the future, and have the plan available for implementation when the time is right.</abstract>

During January 2009 millions of Eastern Europeans discovered how precarious their modern lifestyles were, when suddenly a dispute between a private corporation and a foreign state shut off the supply of gas. What would happen in the event of serious unrest in the oil production hubs of the world? Or simply; if the fuels we have become so dependent on, once again hit the price levels of the summer of 2008 …or higher…and stayed?In particular: What would happen to the specific Czech rural area of Bouzovsko, if suddenly -or during a 15 year time span- a drastic shortage of fossil fuels occurred? Would it be possible to gradually implement a sustainable ‘bottom-up’ plan of resilience towards such as situation?This paper argues the potential of introducing ‘The 12 steps of Transition’ to Bouzovsko, in accordance with ‘The Transition Handbook’. Such steps include elements of landscape ecology, environmental management, renewable energy planning, along with enhancing the social infrastructure of the area, and securing local economy. The ‘transition movement’ is rapidly spreading across the world as it aims to prepare for such a possibility, through a communal based positive gradual energy descent. It is designed as a participatory response to the Peak Oil phenomena.The research brought forth the conclusion that it is unlikely to implement the Transition approach in socially/culturally less favorable areas; that the parameter which prevents this is the lack of a popular understanding (by the local population) that there is no other way possible, and finally that the best way to ensure any resilience is to follow the model of the ‘Shock Doctrine’: A small group of citizens unite to create a specialized plan for transition to a minimal fossil fuel dependence in the future, and have the plan available for implementation when the time is right.

Transition Area Bouzovsko?

Based on M.Sc. Thesis in Planning and Environmental Management. Faculty of Engineering and Science of Aalborg University, Denmark

Journal of Landscape Ecology

IS THE TRANSITION APPROACH APPLICABLE IN SOCIALLY/CULTURALLY LESS RESPONSIVE AREAS?

During January 2009 millions of Eastern Europeans discovered how precarious their modern lifestyles were, when suddenly a dispute between a private corporation...

Transition Area Bouzovsko?

Published Online: Nov 23, 2012

Page range: 37 - 53

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10285-012-0052-x

This content is open access.