Implementation of energy strategies in communities

Panel: 4. Mobility, transport, and smart and sustainable cities

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Helmut Strasser, SIR-Salzburger Institut für Raumordnung und Wohnen, Austria
Ken Church
Jens Freudenberg
Andreas Koch
Marie Sevenet
Oskar Mair am Tinkhof
Jan Schiefelbein
Carissa Slotterback

Abstract

Cities are major contributors to CO2 emissions. Since COP21-agreement a drastic reduction of both energy and emissions is essential. Emphasis on the system-wide reduction of energy demand and CO2-emissions and higher share of renewable energy is essential and requires optimized solutions for whole communities. This leads to a Close link between Energy and Urban Planning. But integrated planning has to deal with high complexity regarding multiple issues, multiple stakeholder-groups, conflicting interest and lacking of instruments for implementation. Within IEA-Energy in Buildings and Communities Program 19 organisations from 11 Countries worldwide are involved in Annex 63 “Implementation of Energy Strategies in Communities” (2014–2017).

The overall objective of Annex 63 is to give recommendations on procedures for implementation of optimized energy strategies at the scale of communities in the urban development. Annex 63 shall primarily serve the needs of urban decision makers, urban and energy planning departments.

Methodology: Analyses of information about existing national legal frameworks, processes and case studies in the fields of urban and energy planning are the basis for development of recommendations on improved planning processes. Several feedback loops with urban planners of 22 involved cities worldwide contribute to practical appropriability.

Results: Recommendations and best practices on procedures for implementation including the following topics:

• Target Setting, commitment

• Implementation of Low Carbon Technologies

• Regulatory frameworks

• Criteria in Urban Design Competitions

• Supporting tools for information and decision making

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Inclusion of social-economic impact

• Organisational frameworks

• Monitoring

Results lead to several products such as a set of ppt-slides, a set of education materials and a description of required capacities and skills in cities, finally to an expert group summary on recommended practices.