Planning principles for reducing energy consumption
Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) can play an important role in the energy transition for urban areas. Implementation of PEDs require that urban planning and energy planning processes are integrated.
So far PED research has predominantly been concerned with achieving an energy positive balance for urban districts and stakeholder engagement, whilst less attention has been paid to how urban planning measures can promote energy efficiency by reducing the energy demand.
In this short guide we outline 10 planning principles for how urban planning can contribute to reduce energy consumption and thereby support PED implementation.
Planning principles
- A dense urban structure can reduce urban sprawl and transport need
- An urban structure developed around neighbourhood centres can reduce transport need
- Brownfield redevelopment can support a dense urban structure and reduce urban sprawl
- Mixed use urban development can promote active forms of transportation and reduce transport need
- Transit-oriented development can promote the use of public transport
- Urban development around nodes in the public transport network can support the use of public transport
- Restrictions on car use can promote the use of public transport and active forms of transportation
- Small and dense housing units can reduce the heating need
- Green structures can reduce urban heat islands and energy consumption
- New urban development should be aligned with the existing infrastructures
Methodological Framework for PED Implementation in FLEXPOSTS
The aim of FLEXPOSTS (FLEXible energy POSitivity districTS) is to develop effective and replicable strategies to enhance the process of establishing PEDs. A major emphasis is placed on engaging stakeholders and developing innovative business models for flexible energy systems.
FLEXPOSTS will apply an interdisciplinary approach for integrating energy and urban planning. This approach is demonstrated in two demo sites, Zwette VI (Leeuwarden, the Netherlands), and Aalborg East (Aalborg, Denmark). In these demos, the lessons learnt and new insights from research will be translated to practice and vice versa.
This report outlines the methodological approach that will guide the analysis of how to implement PEDs in the two demo sites (D.3.1). This task should be seen in relation to the tasks of developing business models and PED implementation strategies (D3.2), together with the development of a replication toolkit (D3.3) that will be reported separately. The targeted audience of the report is the FLEXPOSTS consortium for internal knowledge sharing as well as the expert facility group of the JPI Urban Europe PED research program.