Urban form has a determining influence on many sources of greenhouse gas emissions because density and land-use patterns affect distances travelled, modes of travel, building typology, possibilities for district energy systems and carbon release and uptake by biomass (Wilkinson et al., 2007). One aspect of this influence is known as path dependence; where current decisions can limit possibilities for future decision-making. Here is the overview from the IEA.
With a global spread of partners and associates, SSG is leading a three year research project that is developing and validating an open source interactive model to improve understanding of the relationship between district energy and the built environment from a planner’s perspective. This tool will illustrate the GHG emission reductions and energy savings resulting from decisions made over the built environment for district energy and other socio economic benefits. For example, planners will be able to evaluate different scenarios and the resulting GHG emissions reductions, energy savings and other social and economic benefits as part of the development of municipal plans.
The tool will also develop urban form ‘archetypes’, that planners can use to support district energy in different municipalities.