Environment, energy and housing: A location model for sustainable community planning

Panel: Panel 4. The Energy-Environment Link

Authors:
Johan O. Lamm, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
Anders Görling, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

Abstract

There is a relation between emissions to the environment, the use of energy and the housing pattern. The relationship depends upon the fact that the use of energy needed to operate a dwelling is different at different locations. The emissions generated from energy use are therefore also different at different locations. The base for a healthy and ecological sustainable environment should therefore be a phuming process in which energy use and emissions from energy use form part of the basis for the housing pattern.

In this study such a process is described. The municipality under planuing is divided into squares of land, each 5OOx5OOm. For each such square investigations are made: Local climate, potential energy supply systems and transportation systems. Using this information it is possible to calculate the energy use for the operation of a a potential dwelling in each square of land. We take into account energy for thermal comfort, for operation of household equipment and for transportation of persons to and from the dwelling. Knowing the relation between the emission volume and the energy conversion processes involved we calculate the emission volumes generated by location in each square. We introduce an enviromnental tax for each pollution type.

We have also investigated the estate prices, the exploitation costs, the construction costs and the usersÉ preferences for different locations. The usersÉ preferences are expressed as the willingness to pay for a dwelling in each square of land. Matching the usersÉ preferences against the costs for a dwelling in each square of land, each square will r&eve a specific number of dwellings. The process is performed by computer. The result of the process is a distribution of dwellings/a housing pattern which has the property to be economic effective. The en&sons of SOX, NOX and CO2 and all relevant energy as well as economic aspects have been considered as location criteria. The model thus acts as a mean of reducing and controlling emissions to the environment emanating from energy use in housing and transportation. It can also be used as a part of the municipality energy plan as well as a tool for the physical master planning. The model is able to apply to any country and situation at the municipality level. The report on the model is BFR report Dl: 1992 (english) and can be obtained from Svensk Byggtjhst, S-l71 88 Solna, Sweden.