The City and Energy Planning

Abstract

Energy efficiency is an imperative not only because it represents a saving of financial resources, but also because it is of crucial importance for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing the almost always conflictual dependence between fuel-receiving and fuel-supplying regions. What is often overlooked, however, is the fact that cities play an important role in this regard. Firstly, from a purely quantitative perspective: since 2008, the world’s population has been predominantly urban. Strictly speaking, it can already be said: humanity is urban. Secondly, from a qualitative perspective — which the law cannot ignore — land-use planning and building regulations are immensely fertile grounds for the application of measures aimed at the efficient use of energy.