Advanced Urban Energy Planning: an interdisciplinary approach to improve heat decarbonization assessments

Urban areas have been recognized as the heart of the decarbonisation process, being potential drivers of sustainable or unsustainable paths. The necessary transition to cleaner and more sustainable cities recently raised the research attention on the possible ways to perform urban energy planning. However, there is still not a wellrecognized procedure and an agreed methodological framework to support urban energy planning, leading to inappropriate strategy definitions, directly focusing on the design of a pre-defined plan. This thesis has the primary objective to contribute in providing a theoretical-methodological framework to support urban energy planning by exploring, applying, adapting and combining with other disciplines, the principal energy system planning methods and tools. A review of scientific literature was performed to identify the state-of-art significant limitations on which the thesis was structured. Without seeking to replace other existing modelling approaches and without presupposing a full knowledge in the different research disciplines, this Ph.D. dissertation provides a basis for understanding how the weaknesses of the different approaches can be rectified by the strengths of others to move beyond traditional urban energy planning applications focused on the built environment. Comprehensive energy system methods and tools are necessary at the planning stage to quantitatively consider interactions among sectors and demand and supply options over long-term horizons. Nevertheless, the thesis confirms that while they are incredibly useful for planning purposes, they cannot be used alone for urban applications and should be combined with other methodologies. This need is mostly related to the necessity of disposing of a detailed and highly disaggregated description of the demand and of the spatiality to deal with specific urban needs (critical areas, liveability, built environment constraints). In particular, spatial analyses are fundamental in urban planning to considerably improve the quality of planning and decision-making processes through intuitive visualization maps. Furthermore, the involvement of stakeholders is key to the success of the planning procedure: they speed the data collection process, support definition of assumptions and a shared city vision (qualitative evaluations). Given the complex nature of urban energy planning, an interdisciplinary and integrated methodological procedure - based on the actions of knowing, understanding and planning – is therefore proposed. The procedure combines building physics, energy planning and territorial analyses to create a preliminary methodological background able to deliver technical, financial and environmental insights for the definition of energy plans. The proposed methodological framework was applied to a case study that fixed the research boundaries to the demand and supply side of the urban built environment of district-heated cities. The case study, on the one hand, provides numerical evidence to results and on the other hand offers a theoretical background for guiding urban planners, researchers, and decision-makers in future urban planning applications. As a result, the proposed integrated and comprehensive framework provides evidence of the multiple benefits of taking into account synergies between demand and supply, particularly in term of avoided additional investments. The scenarios analysis confirms that ambitious environmental targets can be reached at reasonable added costs if investments are appropriately channelled. The suggested research advances in urban energy planning will allow achieving more informed assessments of appropriate strategic investments, their life-cycle costs, and energy/ environment ambitions. All the recommended planning phases are fundamental, and the author suggests to push future research and practices to enhance the procedure by dividing it into a planning stage (knowing & understanding/ planning/ prioritizing & deciding) and into an operational phase (designing/acting/ monitoring & informing), leading to a bi-directional flow of information between planning and operational models

Proceedings

Conference held on Aug. 22-25, 1989, Centre of Urban Studies and Urban Planning, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.Sponsored by Hong Kong Institute of Planners and others.published_or_final_versionBoolean maps and the rationalization of opportunities and constraints in physical planning Brimicomble, Allan J. Brimicombe, Allan J. 13Computer aided landslip potential mapping and its application to land use planning and development control Siddle, H.J. Siddle, H.J. Turner, M.D. Turner, M.D. Bentley, S.P. Bentley, S.P. 1List of contributors 531Preface Yeh, Anthony G.O. Yeh, Anthony G.O. xiAuthor index viiGEOTECS - a simple computer mapping system for planning and resource inventory in Hong Kong Styles, K.A. Styles, K.A. Hansen, A. Hansen, A. 23Computer aided landuse transport environment analysis system Seetharam, K.E. Seetharam, K.E. Shibasaki, R. Shibasaki, R. Ishibashi, H. Ishibashi, H. 37Land-use and transport modelling in the Perth Metropolitan region: an integrated approach Neal, Bill Neal, Bill 49Developments in computer-aided teaching of land-use and transport planning techniques Black, J.A. Black, J.A. Ton, Tu T. Ton, Tu T. 51A computerized passenger information system for Melbourne's railway network Tong, C.O. Tong, C.O. 65Computer-based parking system for local authorities in Malaysia Wahab, Ibrahim Bin Wahab, Ibrahim Bin 77Computerized school bussing (CSB) system in Israel Mandel, Shmuel Mandel, Shmuel Finemesser, Ahura Finemesser, Ahura 89The application of GIS for urban land use planning and monitoring: a case study of low income housing development in Kuala Lumpur Yaakup, Ahirs B. Yaakup, Ahris B. Healey, Richard G. Healey, Richard G. Hughes, George C. Hughes, George C. 91Hypermedia-assisted creativity in identifying ways to shelter the homeless Dickey, John W. Dickey, John W. 93Computers, telecommunications and planning Newton, P.W. Newton, P.W. 105Integrating urban information systems and spatial models Brail, Richard K. Brail, Richard K. 107The study of microcomputer-based urban planning and management information system Cheng, Bingzhao Cheng, Bingzhao Song, Xiaodong Song, Xiaodong Lin, Changqin Lin, Changqin 119Urban planning processes and strategic information systems Worrall, L. Worrall, L. 123Computerized development feasibility models in urban policy development and density rights transfer negotiations Code, William R. Code, William R. 135Computers and statutory planning Falkiner, Timothy S. Falkiner, Timothy S. 143Planning appeals in the planning information base Lamb, Robert E. Lamb, Robert E. 145A methodology for efficiently structuring a set of activities Yim, Fun-kan, Claudia Yim, Fun-kan, Claudia Dickey, John W. Dickey, John W. 159Implementation of geographic information system technology (GIS) for use in urban planning and management Chambers, Donald D. Chambers, Donald D. 529Evaluating the impact of computers on urban planning activities Farthing, Stuart Farthing, Stuart 519The organizational and management implications of computer use in U.K. local authority planning departments Bardon, Keith S. Bardon, Keith S. 511Windows on order and chaos: the role of microcomputers in planning and management Cartwright, T.J. Cartwright, T.J. 491Emerging perspective on computer-aided planning Klosterman, Richard Klosterman, Richard 489A system dynamics model of urban land use TUDY: a computer aided education programme for urban planning at University of Tsukuba Kaji, Hideki Kaji, Hideki 469Computer graphics primer: the introduction of computer techniques in teaching planning graphics Melotte, Barrie Melotte, Barrie 467Using microcomputer-based imaging to evaluate urban design proposals Sherrill, Sam Sherrill, Sam 169Land information system in the programming and monitoring of new town development Yeh, Anthony Yeh, Anthony 171What is the next step? - training in information systems design Lindsay, John Lindsay, John 457Conditions for the effective utilisation of computers in urban planning in developing countries Masser, Ian Masser, Ian Campbell, Heather Campbell, Heather 439Use of computers in urban planning and management in Bangladesh Hossain, Hemayet Hossain, Hemayet 427SLIP: a microcomputer tool for accessibility- centrality analysis and planning in developing countries Kammeier, H. Detlef Kammeier, H. Detlef 425Applying an integrated expert system to urban management and planning Bouille, Francois Bouille, Francois 423Text animation or knowledge engineering?: two approaches to the design of urban planning expert systems Webster, Chris J. Webster, Chris J. Wislocki, Y. Wislocki, Y. Ho, C.S. Ho, C.S. 421A planner - modified expert system for strategic planning Wyatt, Ray Wyatt, Ray 419Integration of programming models and expert systems: an application to facility management and planning Han, Sang -yun Han, Sang-yun Kim, T. John Kim, T. John Adiguzel, Ilker Adiguzel, Ilker 391An expert system for forecasting roadside development Edamura, Toshiro Edamura, Toshiro Kawai, Takashi Kawai, Takashi 379Expert systems for urban and building planning and management Sharpe, Ron Sharpe, Ron Marksjo, Bertil Marksjo, Bertil Chen, Qian Chen, Qian 369GPM: geographical project monitoring Yapa, Lakshman S. Yapa, Lakshman S. Dilley, Maxx Dilley, Maxx 185Traffic planning by a 'Desktop expert' Taylor, Michael A.P. Taylor, Michael A.P. 353A decision support and expert system for retail planning Borgers, Aloys Borgers, Aloys Timmermans, Harry Timmermans, Harry 341A knowledge-based computer system for zoning Yan, Wanglin Yan, Wanglin Shimizu, Eihan Shimizu, Eihan 339The development of urban and regional information system in medium sized cities of China Cao, Guifa Cao, Guifa Hsu, Mei-ling Hsu, Mei-ling 333The application of the geotechnical data management system 'STRATA3' to urban planning Bentley, Stephen P. Bentley, Stephen P. Greenshaw, Lutaf Mark Greenshaw, Lutaf Mark Rice, Stephen M.M. Rice, Stephen M.M. 323Application of geographic information systems in an urban environment Lee, Yuk-cheung Lee, Yuk-cheung 321Value added of a geographical information system De Man, Eric W.H. De Man, Eric W.H. 315Building of micro-GIS tool and its application Wang, Zheng Wang, Zheng Ren, Fuhu Ren, Fuhu Cheng, Ji-cheng Cheng, Ji-cheng 299Planning agency experiences with automated mapping and geographic information systems French, Steven P. French, Steven P. Heffernon, Kelly M. Heffernon, Kelly M. Wiggins, Lyna L. Wiggins, Lyna L. 289The application of land information systems in planning in Western Australia Rogers, Mark B. Rogers, Mark B. 287A GKS-based microcomputer graphics package for urban and regional analysis and planning Wegener, Michael Wegener, Michael Spiekermann, Klaus Spiekermann, Klaus 205Brisbane city council digital mapping system: a major tool for urban planning and management in Brisbane Butler, John L.T. Butler, John L.T. 275Designing a digital urban topographic database for applications in urban planning and management Yeung, Albert K.W. Yeung, Albert K.W. 263How to use decomposing method of mixed pixel to renew the city's green area data bank using landsat-CCT data? Xu, Xiru Xu, Xiru Chen, Kai Chen, Kai 255Integrating remote sensing and geographic information system knowledge in an expert system for change detection Newkirk, Ross T. Newkirk, Ross T. Wang, Fangju Wang, Fangju 245Monitoring land use in the metropolitan region with remote sensing data Martin, Larry R.G. Martin, Larry R.G. Howarth, Philip J. Howarth, Philip J. Gong, Peng Gong, Peng Holder, Glenn H. Holder, Glenn H. 233Applications of micro computer based spatial analysis for urban and regional planning Simmons, Michael Simmons, Michael 231Using a microcomputer to explore relationships in information: utilising graphical and spreadsheet techniques Banister, Chris Banister, Chris 219Designing advanced spreadsheet templates for novice microcomputer users Bossard, Earl G. Bossard, Earl G. 20

A Web-based spatial decision supporting system for land management and soil conservation

Abstract. Today it is evident that there are many contrasting demands on our landscape (e.g. food security, more sustainable agriculture, higher income in rural areas, etc.) as well as many land degradation problems. It has been proved that providing operational answers to these demands and problems is extremely difficult. Here we aim to demonstrate that a spatial decision support system based on geospatial cyberinfrastructure (GCI) can address all of the above, so producing a smart system for supporting decision making for agriculture, forestry, and urban planning with respect to the landscape. In this paper, we discuss methods and results of a special kind of GCI architecture, one that is highly focused on land management and soil conservation. The system allows us to obtain dynamic, multidisciplinary, multiscale, and multifunctional answers to agriculture, forestry, and urban planning issues through the Web. The system has been applied to and tested in an area of about 20 000 ha in the south of Italy, within the framework of a European LIFE+ project (SOILCONSWEB). The paper reports – as a case study – results from two different applications dealing with agriculture (olive growth tool) and environmental protection (soil capability to protect groundwater). Developed with the help of end users, the system is starting to be adopted by local communities. The system indirectly explores a change of paradigm for soil and landscape scientists. Indeed, the potential benefit is shown of overcoming current disciplinary fragmentation over landscape issues by offering – through a smart Web-based system – truly integrated geospatial knowledge that may be directly and freely used by any end user (www.landconsultingweb.eu). This may help bridge the last very important divide between scientists working on the landscape and end users

An integrated information modelling system for assessing urban geohazard risk

Over the years, the continuous expansion of cities has drawn the attention of engineers and researchers to the need to support sustainable planning. As cities expand, they would be more prone to geohazard risk, which could cause severe costs. Therefore, a system to provide information of geohazard risk could support sustainable urban planning. A suggested application is proposed in this thesis to assess settlement risk caused by tunnelling. A framework methodology is proposed to aid the assessment of urban geohazard risk. The settlement risk assessment analyses and the associated building damage and cost assessment form the structure of the framework. Building Information Modelling (BIM) provided and supported the information for the data processes used in the whole analysis and the 3D geology-tunnel-building model creation. The resulting risk assessments are presented using 3D visualisations. From these visualisations, further investigations could be focused on the ‘higher-risk’ outcomes presented. This forms a preliminary assessment a tool. The final oucome of this research is an integrated information system based on advanced analysis and 3D modelling tools for urban geohazard risk. The research also provides information which contributes to knowledge and understanding for relevant associated problems and supports sustainable decision-making

Urban management revolution: intelligent management systems for ubiquitous cities

A successful urban management support system requires an integrated approach. This integration includes bringing together economic, socio-cultural and urban development with a well orchestrated transparent and open decision making mechanism. The paper emphasises the importance of integrated urban management to better tackle the climate change, and to achieve sustainable urban development and sound urban growth management. This paper introduces recent approaches on urban management systems, such as intelligent urban management systems, that are suitable for ubiquitous cities. The paper discusses the essential role of online collaborative decision making in urban and infrastructure planning, development and management, and advocates transparent, fully democratic and participatory mechanisms for an effective urban management system that is particularly suitable for ubiquitous cities. This paper also sheds light on some of the unclear processes of urban management of ubiquitous cities and online collaborative decision making, and reveals the key benefits of integrated and participatory mechanisms in successfully constructing sustainable ubiquitous cities

Operationalizing the circular city model for naples' city-port: A hybrid development strategy

The city-port context involves a decisive reality for the economic development of territories and nations, capable of significantly influencing the conditions of well-being and quality of life, and of making the Circular City Model (CCM) operational, preserving and enhancing seas and marine resources in a sustainable way. This can be achieved through the construction of appropriate production and consumption models, with attention to relations with the urban and territorial system. This paper presents an adaptive decision-making process for Naples (Italy) commercial port's development strategies, aimed at re-establishing a sustainable city-port relationship and making Circular Economy (CE) principles operative. The approach has aimed at implementing a CCM by operationalizing European recommendations provided within both the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework-specifically focusing on goals 9, 11 and 12-and the Maritime Spatial Planning European Directive 2014/89, to face conflicts about the overlapping areas of the city-port through multidimensional evaluations' principles and tools. In this perspective, a four-step methodological framework has been structured applying a place-based approach with mixed evaluation methods, eliciting soft and hard knowledge domains, which have been expressed and assessed by a core set of Sustainability Indicators (SI), linked to SDGs. The contribution outcomes have been centred on the assessment of three design alternatives for the East Naples port and the development of a hybrid regeneration scenario consistent with CE and sustainability principles. The structured decision-making process has allowed us to test how an adaptive approach can expand the knowledge base underpinning policy design and decisions to achieve better outcomes and cultivate a broad civic and technical engagement, that can enhance the legitimacy and transparency of policies

Managing ubiquitous eco cities: the role of urban telecommunication infrastructure networks and convergence technologies

A successful urban management system for a Ubiquitous Eco City requires an integrated approach. This integration includes bringing together economic, socio-cultural and urban development with a well orchestrated, transparent and open decision making mechanism and necessary infrastructure and technologies. Rapidly developing information and telecommunication technologies and their platforms in the late 20th Century improves urban management and enhances the quality of life and place. Telecommunication technologies provide an important base for monitoring and managing activities over wired, wireless or fibre-optic networks. Particularly technology convergence creates new ways in which the information and telecommunication technologies are used. The 21st Century is an era where information has converged, in which people are able to access a variety of services, including internet and location based services, through multi-functional devices such as mobile phones and provides opportunities in the management of Ubiquitous Eco Cities. This paper discusses the recent developments in telecommunication networks and trends in convergence technologies and their implications on the management of Ubiquitous Eco Cities and how this technological shift is likely to be beneficial in improving the quality of life and place. The paper also introduces recent approaches on urban management systems, such as intelligent urban management systems, that are suitable for Ubiquitous Eco Cities