Cities and Energy: Urban Morphology and Residential Heat-Energy Demand

Abstract

Abstract. This paper aims to better understand the theoretical heat-energy demand of different types of urban form at a scale of 500 by 500 metres. The empirical basis of this study includes samples of dominant residential building typologies identified for Paris, London, Berlin and Istanbul. In addition, archetypal idealised samples were created for each type through an analysis of their built form parameters and removal of unwanted 'invasive' morphologies. The digital elevation models of these real and idealised samples were run through a simulation that modelled solar gains and building surface energy losses to estimate heat-energy demand. In addition to investigating the effect of macro scale morphological parameters, micro scale design parameters, such as U-values and glazing ratios, as well as climatic effects were analysed. The theoretical results of this study suggest that urban morphology induced heat energy efficiency is significant and can lead to a difference in heat energy demand up to a factor of 6. Compact and tall building types were found to have the greatest heat energy efficiency at the neighbourhood scale while detached housing was found to have the lowest.

Urban and Rural—Population and Energy Consumption Dynamics in Local Authorities within England and Wales

“…Studies of this nature, which often indicate that increasing population/built density is correlated with decreasing urban energy consumption profiles, are mostly rooted in and can be explained by a theoretical expectation regarding consumption and accessibility within denser areas. A theoretical modelling of energy demand for different urban morphologies based on four case study cities of London, Paris, Berlin, and Istanbul confirms this by finding potential for significant savings achievable in heat-demand through higher built densities [14]. Hui [15] cites four reasons as to why high density built-environment and cities are expected to be more efficient in their energy use: (i) the compactness and higher densities results in lower consumptions within the buildings; (ii) the reduced time of travel and communication characteristics are advantageous towards better transportation performance; (iii) the implementation of novel and emerging technologies is more easily achieved; and (iv) the wider options and possibility of mixing land use would contribute towards higher efficiencies.…”

Making the Most of Daylight in Town Planning

“…The three One of the earlier studies in this topic which is worthwhile to mention is Paul Little fair's classic guide from 1993 which has been recently revised and updated (Littefair, 2011). A recently published report (Rode et al, 2014) shows how important the energy aspect is today. In the Nordic countries, daylight is especially difficult to handle with respect to its great variation diurnally and over the course of the year.…”

Residential Heat Supply by Waste-Heat Re-Use: Sources, Supply Potential and Demand Coverage—A Case Study

“…Heating and cooling accounts for 50% of the EU's energy consumption and the total urban consumption is expected to grow due to growing urbanization Renewables account for just 18% of this. While urban manufacturing is causing heat emission, neighbouring housing areas require energy for heating and cooling [2][3][4]. Cascading energy use by re-use of industrial and commercial waste heat is an effective option to reduce GHG emissions in urban environments.…”