6 research outputs found
Urban agriculture in the framework of sustainable urbanism
Agriculture represents a crucial phase in the development of mankind. Although cities initially had close ties withagriculture, which was a key element in ancient civilisations, in modern twentieth-century urban plans, such as Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh or Lucio Costa’s Brazilia, agriculture was banished from large cities. The demographic growth of urban areas today and its predictions for the short and long term have
increased the value of urban agriculture.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version
Strategies for sustainable urban systems: introducing eco-innovation in buildings in Mexico and Spain
Esta disertación, propone estrategias para sistemas urbanos sustentables introduciendo aspectos de eco-innovación en edificios con especial énfasis en reducir la energía y las emisiones de Gases de Efecto Invernadero (GEI). El estudio se desarrolla en dos contextos economicos, social y climáticamente diferentes.
Por una parte la mejora ambiental y energética de la vivienda social en México a través de estrategias de eco rehabilitación en el interior y exterior de la misma: eco-tecnologías (equipos eficientes), sombreado y aislamiento (sombra sobre el techo, volados en muros, louvers en ventanas y techo verde) y producción de alimentos (tomates). Se calcularon os requerimientos de energía para enfriamiento de la vivienda social así como la demanda de energía acumulada y emisiones de CO2 asociadas con los materiales usados en las estrategias de sombreamiento.
En la producción de alimentos el sistema fue expandido para determinar los impactos respecto a la logística de alimentos (distribución, empaque y pérdidas de producto).
Por otra parte, la implementación de invernaderos de producción intensiva de alimentos en las cubiertas de edificios de Ciudades Mediterráneas de Europa, estudiando la barreras y oportunidades ambientales, sociales, económicas y tecnológicas de su implantación. El método de trabajó consistió en grupos multidisciplinarios de discusión a través de seminarios con expertos en diferentes áreas.
El potencial de sinergia entre el edificio y el invernadero en términos de flujos de calor fue identificado focalizando únicamente en los requerimientos de energía para calefacción en invierno en un edificio de servicios en Barcelona, España.
Para desarrollar esta investigación fue necesario integrar herramientas multidisciplinares y programas de: simulación energética (DesignBuilder, Ecotect), análisis de flujos (CFD), análisis de ciclo de vida (SimaPro) y herramientas sociales como seminarios y grupos focales.
Según los resultados, para la vivienda social, las eco-tecnologías pueden proveer una reducción annual del 31% del consumo de energía (35.7 kWh/m2/año). Con la estrategia de sombreado del techo se obtuvo un ahorro de 126 kWh/m2/año. La producción de tomates en las áreas de la vivienda social de Mérida (México) puede aportar ahorros de 662 gCO2eq por kg de tomates producidos. En orden descendiente, los principales contribuyentes de estos ahorros son: requerimientos de transporte (57.7%), pérdida de producto (37.2%) y empaque (5.1%).
Respecto al sistema invernadero-edificio, el grupo de expertos coincidió en definir la interconexión entre ambos como una de las oportunidades del sistema al hacer sinergia con los flujos de agua, energía y CO2, así como la reducción del transporte de los alimentos. La metodología aplicada a este estudio resultó positiva debido a la participación interdisciplinaria de expertos lo cual facilitó una visión global de la implementación del proyecto.
De acuerdo al análisis energético, un total de 87 kWh/día de calor fue removido del invernadero con la finalidad de disminuir su temperatura. Este dato indica una estimación del potencial del calor que puede ser transferido al edificio en un día típico de invierno.
Basado en los resultados generados en esta investigación, futuras líneas de investigación pueden ser desarrolladas con la finalidad de determinar otros beneficios energéticos y ambientales del sistema.
Las estrategias presentadas en esta disertación tienen el objetivo de facilitar el desarrollo sustentable en sistemas urbanos através de la investigaciones para mejorar la vivienda social en países en vías de desarrollo e implementar la agricultura urbana en ciudades compactas.This dissertation proposes strategies for sustainable urban systems, introducing eco-innovation in buildings and paying particular attention to energy and GHG emissions. The study was developed in two diferent social, economical and climatic contexts.
Firstly, environmental and energy improvement of social housing in a warm-humid climate in Merida (Mexico) is investigated, through eco-rehabilitation strategies such as ecotechnologies (efficient equipment), shading and insulation (Above roof shade, overhangs on walls, louvers in windows and green roof) and food production (tomato). Energy requirements for cooling in social housing, cumulative energetic demand and CO2 emissions associated with the materials used in shading and insulative strategies were calculated. In food production, the expanded system is considered, in order to determine impacts related to food logistics (distribution, packaging, retail).
Secondly, Rooftop Eco-Greenhouse (RTEG) is presented as an eco-innovative system that incorporates agriculture into the rooftops of buildings in Mediterranean European cities. A list of environmental, economical, technological and social barriers, as well as opportunities for the implementation of the RTEG system, were obtained. The work method consisted of discussion seminars involving an interdisciplinary group of experts from different areas. In addition, the potential for synergies between buildings and RTEG systems in terms of heat flows was identified, focusing only on heating requirements in winter, in an office building in Barcelona (Spain).
To develop this research, multidisciplinary tools and software programs such as energy simulation (DesignBuilder, Ecotect), flow analysis (CFD), life cycle analysis (SimaPro) were used. Social tools, such as seminars and focus groups, were also utilised.
According to the results for social housing, eco-technologies could potentially provide reduce annual energy consumption by 31% (35.7kWh/m2/year). The ‘Above roof shade’ strategy can provide a saving of 126kWh/m2/year. Production of tomatoes in social housing areas in Merida (Mexico) could provide a savings of 662 gCO2eq per kg of tomatoes produced. In descending order, the main contributors to these savings are transport requirements (57.7%), retail phase (37.2%) and re-usable packaging (5.1%).
In respect to RTEG, we would highlight the interconnection of the building and the greenhouse as an opportunity for RTEG, making use of water, energy and CO2 flows between both, as well as reducing food transportation requirements. The participation of experts helped to produce a global vision for the implementation of the project.
According to energy analysis, a total of 87 kWh/day of heat was removed from the greenhouse, in order to reduce its temperature. This data indicates the potential amount of heat that could be transferred to the building in a study day. Based on the results generated by this research, further lines of research can be investigated, in order to determine other energy and environmental benefits of the RTEG system.
All strategies presented in this dissertation aim to facilitate the sustainable development of urban systems, through researching eco-innovation in the field of improvement of social housing in Developing Countries and urban agriculture in compact cities
Integrating horticulture into cities: A guide for assessing the implementation potential of rooftop greenhouses (RTGs) in industrial and logistics parks
none5siAbstract: Recently, the application of rooftop greenhouses (RTGs) to integrate agriculture into cities has increased, although the area where they can be potentially implemented has not been quantified yet. Consequently, this paper aims to design a guide to evaluate the potential implementation of RTGs in industrial and logistics parks and to apply the guide to the case study of Zona Franca Park (Barcelona, Spain). Eight percent of the rooftops were identified as feasible for a short-term implementation of RTG, according to the defined technical, economic, legal, and agricultural criteria. Estimations indicated that the annual tomato production in this area could account for almost 2,000 tons, which is equivalent to the yearly tomato demand of 150,000 people. Besides, this production could substitute imported tomatoes, and avoiding their distribution would represent savings of 65.25 t of CO2 eq·m−2.mixedSanyé-Mengual, Esther; Cerón-Palma, Ileana; Oliver-Solà, Jordi; Montero, Juan Ignacio; Rieradevall, JoanSanyé-Mengual, Esther; Cerón-Palma, Ileana; Oliver-Solà, Jordi; Montero, Juan Ignacio; Rieradevall, Joa
Strategies for sustainable urban systems : introducing eco-innovation in buildings in Mexico and Spain /
A portada: Sostenipra research group. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA) (UAB). Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA)Esta disertación, propone estrategias para sistemas urbanos sustentables introduciendo aspectos de eco-innovación en edificios con especial énfasis en reducir la energía y las emisiones de Gases de Efecto Invernadero (GEI). El estudio se desarrolla en dos contextos economicos, social y climáticamente diferentes. Por una parte la mejora ambiental y energética de la vivienda social en México a través de estrategias de eco rehabilitación en el interior y exterior de la misma: eco-tecnologías (equipos eficientes), sombreado y aislamiento (sombra sobre el techo, volados en muros, louvers en ventanas y techo verde) y producción de alimentos (tomates). Se calcularon los requerimientos de energía para enfriamiento de la vivienda social así como la demanda de energía acumulada y emisiones de CO2 asociadas con los materiales usados en las estrategias de sombreamiento. En la producción de alimentos el sistema fue expandido para determinar los impactos respecto a la logística de alimentos (distribución, empaque y pérdidas de producto). Por otra parte, la implementación de invernaderos de producción intensiva de alimentos en las cubiertas de edificios de Ciudades Mediterráneas de Europa, estudiando la barreras y oportunidades ambientales, sociales, económicas y tecnológicas de su implantación. El método de trabajó consistió en grupos multidisciplinarios de discusión a través de seminarios con expertos en diferentes áreas. El potencial de sinergia entre el edificio y el invernadero en términos de flujos de calor fue identificado focalizando únicamente en los requerimientos de energía para calefacción en invierno en un edificio de servicios en Barcelona, España. Para desarrollar esta investigación fue necesario integrar herramientas multidisciplinares y programas de: simulación energética (DesignBuilder, Ecotect), análisis de flujos (CFD), análisis de ciclo de vida (SimaPro) y herramientas sociales como seminarios y grupos focales. Según los resultados, para la vivienda social, las eco-tecnologías pueden proveer una reducción annual del 31% del consumo de energía (35.7 kWh/m2/año). Con la estrategia de sombreado del techo se obtuvo un ahorro de 126 kWh/m2/año. La producción de tomates en las áreas de la vivienda social de Mérida (México) puede aportar ahorros de 662 gCO2eq por kg de tomates producidos. En orden descendiente, los principales contribuyentes de estos ahorros son: requerimientos de transporte (57.7%), pérdida de producto (37.2%) y empaque (5.1%). Respecto al sistema invernadero-edificio, el grupo de expertos coincidió en definir la interconexión entre ambos como una de las oportunidades del sistema al hacer sinergia con los flujos de agua, energía y CO2, así como la reducción del transporte de los alimentos. La metodología aplicada a este estudio resultó positiva debido a la participación interdisciplinaria de expertos lo cual facilitó una visión global de la implementación del proyecto. De acuerdo al análisis energético, un total de 87 kWh/día de calor fue removido del invernadero con la finalidad de disminuir su temperatura. Este dato indica una estimación del potencial del calor que puede ser transferido al edificio en un día típico de invierno. Basado en los resultados generados en esta investigación, futuras líneas de investigación pueden ser desarrolladas con la finalidad de determinar otros beneficios energéticos y ambientales del sistema. Las estrategias presentadas en esta disertación tienen el objetivo de facilitar el desarrollo sustentable en sistemas urbanos a través de la investigaciones para mejorar la vivienda social en países en vías de desarrollo e implementar la agricultura urbana en ciudades compactas.This dissertation proposes strategies for sustainable urban systems, introducing eco-innovation in buildings and paying particular attention to energy and GHG emissions. The study was developed in two diferent social, economical and climatic contexts. Firstly, environmental and energy improvement of social housing in a warm-humid climate in Merida (Mexico) is investigated, through eco-rehabilitation strategies such as ecotechnologies (efficient equipment), shading and insulation (Above roof shade, overhangs on walls, louvers in windows and green roof) and food production (tomato). Energy requirements for cooling in social housing, cumulative energetic demand and CO2 emissions associated with the materials used in shading and insulative strategies were calculated. In food production, the expanded system is considered, in order to determine impacts related to food logistics (distribution, packaging, retail). Secondly, Rooftop Eco-Greenhouse (RTEG) is presented as an eco-innovative system that incorporates agriculture into the rooftops of buildings in Mediterranean European cities. A list of environmental, economical, technological and social barriers, as well as opportunities for the implementation of the RTEG system, were obtained. The work method consisted of discussion seminars involving an interdisciplinary group of experts from different areas. In addition, the potential for synergies between buildings and RTEG systems in terms of heat flows was identified, focusing only on heating requirements in winter, in an office building in Barcelona (Spain). To develop this research, multidisciplinary tools and software programs such as energy simulation (DesignBuilder, Ecotect), flow analysis (CFD), life cycle analysis (SimaPro) were used. Social tools, such as seminars and focus groups, were also utilised. According to the results for social housing, eco-technologies could potentially provide reduce annual energy consumption by 31% (35.7kWh/m2/year). The 'Above roof shade' strategy can provide a saving of 126kWh/m2/year. Production of tomatoes in social housing areas in Merida (Mexico) could provide a savings of 662 gCO2eq per kg of tomatoes produced. In descending order, the main contributors to these savings are transport requirements (57.7%), retail phase (37.2%) and re-usable packaging (5.1%). In respect to RTEG, we would highlight the interconnection of the building and the greenhouse as an opportunity for RTEG, making use of water, energy and CO2 flows between both, as well as reducing food transportation requirements. The participation of experts helped to produce a global vision for the implementation of the project. According to energy analysis, a total of 87 kWh/day of heat was removed from the greenhouse, in order to reduce its temperature. This data indicates the potential amount of heat that could be transferred to the building in a study day. Based on the results generated by this research, further lines of research can be investigated, in order to determine other energy and environmental benefits of the RTEG system. All strategies presented in this dissertation aim to facilitate the sustainable development of urban systems, through researching eco-innovation in the field of improvement of social housing in Developing Countries and urban agriculture in compact cities
Urban agriculture in the framework of sustainable urbanism
Agriculture represents a crucial phase in the development of mankind. Although cities initially had close ties withagriculture, which was a key element in ancient civilisations, in modern twentieth-century urban plans, such as Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh or Lucio Costa’s Brazilia, agriculture was banished from large cities. The demographic growth of urban areas today and its predictions for the short and long term have
increased the value of urban agriculture.Peer Reviewe
Social perception of urban agriculture in Latin-America. A case study in Mexican social housing
Food security is at the heart of governmental agendas of developing countries. In Latin America, urban agriculture (UA) offers an interesting alternative to ensuring a sufficient, safe and nutritious food supply for urban populations. However, Latin American cities have been subject to radical transformations in the last decades, most apparently through the expansion of social housing. The main objective of this research is to analyze the social perceptions and feasibility of UA in Mexican social housing neighborhoods. The Mérida city was used as a representative case study. Structured interviews were given to 65 key stakeholders across different categories (residents, urban government officials and technical experts). The results indicate a nonexistent perception of UA in Mérida, despite the secular agricultural tradition of the Yucatan region. Nevertheless, respondents agreed in their interest in potentially developing UA activities to improve diets, increase green areas, support local economies, and reduce CO2 emissions. The main perceived barriers for UA are the prevalent model of housing, with a very limited floor area, and the current approach to urban planning, which lacks non-built-up areas. Significantly, large artificialized zones create suitable areas to implement UA on extended rooftops. Finally, stakeholders demand the intervention of authorities at different levels (Federal [national], State [regional] and local) as a requirement to develop UA properly. The main pathways for this support should be to prepare new urban and housing policies and introduce economic incentives.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft