Sustainable energy and urban form in China: the relevance of community energy management

Chinese cities are experiencing major environmental effects from fossil fuel-based energy consumption for mainly residential and, increasingly, urban transportation uses. Community energy management (CEM) is a sustainable energy strategy which looks at how purposely shaping the built environment and designing urban services in consideration of energy production, distribution and use could affect both the long-term demand for energy and the type of energy supplied. This study explores what CEM is in a Chinese context by analysing trends in land-use planning, urban transportation and residential energy, and then suggests CEM strategies that would be appropriate in directing urban development towards a more sustainable energy path. A spreadsheet model is used to evaluate aggregate energy-related emissions in the year 2015 that result from two alternative scenarios of urban growth throughout China. The model focuses on how energy demand, residential energy technology penetration and transportation mode choices are affected by factors of density and mix of use in neighbourhood development. Results from this exercise suggest that China can achieve urban residential and transportation emissions reductions of approximately 14% for CO2, 10% for SO2, 40% for NOx and 14% for particulate emissions in 2015 by adopting certain aspects of CEM. Issues around the implementation of CEM are also addressed in this study by examining key institutional and policy issues involved in land-use planning, site and building design, alternative energy supply and transportation management. Recommendations and implementation strategies are suggested.

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