Spanish version: http://sl.ugr.es/09IS
French version: http://sl.ugr.es/09IU
Researchers from the University of Granada and the Polytechnic University of Madrid have developed a new method to study the impact of urban design on greenhouse gas emissions generated by cities
In a joint investigation between the University of Granada and the Polytechnic University of Madrid, researchers have created a method to evaluate the influence that urban planning strategies have on carbon emissions linked to cities. Innovatively, the focus of this investigation included the environmental impact of public networks and services. The design of these networks and services are a direct result of urban planning constraints and have in the past gone largely ignored in environmental impact assessments. Among other factors that affect the environment are water supply networks, waste removal, and public lighting systems. The results obtained in this study bring to light the considerable environmental impact that these elements have in urban zones during their life cycle.
Cities represent a greater focus on global carbon dioxide emission (CO2), one of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Reducing carbon emissions is a priority topic on the European Union agenda, especially after the recent Paris climate accord, in which it was agreed to keep the global temperature rise in this century below two degrees Celsius.
According to United Nations estimations, in 2050, two-thirds of the world´s population will live in urban areas. This presents both social and environmental threats, as sustainable development in expanding urban areas poses a challenge in creating urban policy at a territorial, state and national level.
Urban planning is one of the most powerful tools to mitigate the environmental impact of cities and reduce their contribution to global warming. Traditionally, those responsible for designing the layout and distribution of a city do not take into account sustainability criteria or environmental consequences that arise from their inhabitants using public services, despite these services being essential to the well-being of their citizens and the economic development of the zone.
Carbon emissions associated with the use of the city come from urban buildings and installations as well as public services. The authors of this study have focused on the usage or operational stage of these elements and not on the construction stage, since it is this usage that represents the greatest environmental impact.
Structure of the model developed in this study
This methodology helps the design of urban plans and urban regeneration strategies that adhere to sustainability criteria. The authors highlighted the need to further study the role of public services on the carbon footprint of cities, in order to develop more effective energy and environmental policies. The model developed by the researchers primarily calculates energy consumption associated with a building’s operational phase, taking into account the following end uses: heating and cooling systems, lighting, domestic equipment, domestic hot water (DHW) and lifts. For urban infrastructure, power consumption (street lighting and water pressure systems) of public facilities and fuel consumption from municipal waste collection services were examined. Lastly, by applying national conversion factors, resource consumption can be converted to carbon emissions and divided into three management levels: domestic, municipal and national.
The findings of this study, published in the journal Energy and Buildings, contribute to the existing literature on environmental impact associated with urban development and highlight how important is it to adopt a multidisciplinary perspective in its assessment.
As the authors of this study have pointed out, this method helps when making decisions on strategies and policies related to urban development. Building cities that are sustainable and more livable is not only the responsibility of urban policy makers, but also researchers, other professionals in the field and, ultimately, all citizens.
Bibliographical Reference:
Pacheco-Torres, R., Roldán, J., Jadraque-Gago, E., Ordóñez, J. (2017). Assessing the relationship between urban planning options and carbon emissions at the use stage of new urbanized areas: A case study in a warm climate location. Energy and Buildings, 136:73–85. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.11.055
Contact:
Eulalia Jadraque Gago
Departamento de Ingeniería de la Construcción y Proyectos de Ingeniería.
E.T.S. de Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos
Telephone: (+34) 958 24 13 51
E-mail: ejadraque@ugr.es
Bonifacio Javier Ordóñez García
Departamento de Ingeniería de la Construcción y Proyectos de Ingeniería.
E.T.S. de Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos
Telephone: (+34) 958 24 94 38
E-mail: javiord@ugr.es
