Integration of energy and urban planning dynamics for cities' climate-neutrality

145 p.La sociedad se enfrenta a la emergencia climática, donde las ciudades juegan un papel crucial como concentradoras de población, productoras de PIB, consumidoras de energía, generadoras de residuos y emisoras de GEI. Con la premisa de mejorar una respuesta eficaz de las administraciones locales a esta crisis, este doctorado se centra en dar soporte a aquellas ciudades que están dispuestas a iniciar su viaje hacia la neutralidad climática (cero emisiones netas de CO2) y en cómo orquestar esta transición desde un enfoque local. En términos de planificación del proceso hacia una meta tan ambiciosa, esta investigación ha identificado la falta de integración entre las dinámicas de planificación energética y urbana como una barrera clave en esta transición. En consecuencia, el objetivo de esta investigación es mejorar ese nivel de integración por diferentes medios. Primero, a través de un liderazgo integrado de procesos estratégicos municipales; en segundo lugar, mediante el uso de herramientas y procedimientos de gestión de datos adecuados que permitan la integración de elementos energéticos y espaciales en la toma de decisiones; y finalmente, a través de una involucración adecuada de los agentes locales en el proceso de planificación hacia la neutralidad climática. Todas estas hipótesis son analizadas por 4 estudios de investigación conectados entre sí, y validados posteriormente a través de su aplicación en el proceso de coordinación del plan de neutralidad climática de Vitoria-Gasteiz

Cities4ZERO: Overcoming Carbon Lock-in in Municipalities through Smart Urban Transformation Processes

How can local authorities effectively address the decarbonization of urban environments in the long run? How would their interests and expertise be aligned into an integrated approach towards decarbonization? This paper delves into how strategic processes can help to integrate diverse disciplines and stakeholders when facing urban decarbonization and presents Cities4ZERO, a step-by-step methodology for local authorities, able to guide them through the process of developing the most appropriate plans and projects for an effective urban transition; all from an integrated, participatory and cross-cutting planning approach. For the development of the Cities4ZERO methodology, plans, projects, and strategic processes from five European cities that are part of the Smart Cities and Communities European Commission program have been monitored for 4 years, in close collaboration with local authorities, analyzing ad-hoc local strategic approaches to determine key success factors and barriers to be considered from their transitioning experiences. The study indicates that an iterative strategic approach and a project-oriented vision, combined with a stable institutional commitment, are opening a window of opportunity for cities to achieve effective decarbonization.This research was funded by the European Commission, grant number 691,883

Towards an Integrated Approach to Urban Decarbonisation in Practice: The Case of Vitoria-Gasteiz

How can local authorities effectively approach the decarbonisation of urban environments? Recent efforts to redirect cities into a less energy-intensive model have been mostly approached from a sectoral perspective, with specific energy policies and plans being issued without deeply considering their ties with other urban aspects. In this sense, well-established urban planning procedures have not been part of those, with the consequence of barriers in the implementation phase of those energy plans. The Cities4ZERO methodology was developed to guide effective integration between urban planning and energy policies, plans, and practices. It provides a holistic approach to strategic municipal processes for urban decarbonisation in the mid-long term, which includes key local stakeholders’ engagement into integrated energy planning processes, as well as tools for effective energy decarbonisation modelling. This paper analyses the application of the Cities4ZERO decarbonisation methodology on its strategic stage in the development of Vitoria-Gasteiz’s Action Plan for an Integrated Energy Transition 2030 (APIET 2030). It suggests that in order to accelerate urban decarbonisation, it is critical to: (a) foster interdepartmental collaboration; (b) allow for flexibility on the land-use planning regulations; (c) back decisions with detailed urban-energy models; and (d) truly engage key local stakeholders in the planning and implementation processes.European Commission for funding SmartEnCity project, the frame of this research, and Basque Government for its significant support to the Basque research and innovation paradigm

ENER-BI: Integrating Energy and Spatial Data for Cities’ Decarbonisation Planning

Given the current climate emergency, our planet is suffering. Mitigation measures must be urgently deployed in urban environments, which are responsible for more than 70% of global CO2 emissions. In this sense, a deeper integration between energy and urban planning disciplines is a key factor for effective decarbonisation in urban environments. This is addressed in the Cities4ZERO decarbonisation methodology. This method specifically points out the need for technology-based solutions able to support that integration among both disciplines at a local level, enriching decision-making in urban decarbonisation policy-making, diagnosis, planning, and follow-up tasks, incorporating the spatial dimension to the whole process (GIS-based), as well as the possibilities of the digital era. Accordingly, this paper explores the demands of both integrated urban energy planning and European/Basque energy directives, to set the main requisites and functionalities that Decision Support Systems (DSSs) must fulfil to effectively support city managers and the urban decarbonisation process.This research was funded by European Commission, grant number 691883

ENER-BI: Integrating Energy and Spatial Data for Cities’ Decarbonisation Planning

Given the current climate emergency, our planet is suffering. Mitigation measures must be urgently deployed in urban environments, which are responsible for more than 70% of global CO2 emissions. In this sense, a deeper integration between energy and urban planning disciplines is a key factor for effective decarbonisation in urban environments. This is addressed in the Cities4ZERO decarbonisation methodology. This method specifically points out the need for technology-based solutions able to support that integration among both disciplines at a local level, enriching decision-making in urban decarbonisation policy-making, diagnosis, planning, and follow-up tasks, incorporating the spatial dimension to the whole process (GIS-based), as well as the possibilities of the digital era. Accordingly, this paper explores the demands of both integrated urban energy planning and European/Basque energy directives, to set the main requisites and functionalities that Decision Support Systems (DSSs) must fulfil to effectively support city managers and the urban decarbonisation process.This research was funded by European Commission, grant number 691883