From Problems to Potentials: The Urban Energy Transition of Gruž, Dubrovnik

van den Dobbelsteen, A.A.J.F.; Martin, C.L.; Keeffe, Greg; Pulselli, Riccardo; Vandevyvere, Han

doi:10.3390/en11040922

From Problems to Potentials

Title

From Problems to Potentials: The Urban Energy Transition of Gruž, Dubrovnik

Author

van den Dobbelsteen, A.A.J.F. (TU Delft Architectural Engineering +Technology)
Martin, C.L. (TU Delft Climate Design and Sustainability)
Keeffe, Greg (Queen's University Belfast)
Pulselli, Riccardo (University of Siena)
Vandevyvere, Han (Flemish Institute for Technological Research)

Department

Architectural Engineering +Technology

Date

2018

Abstract

IIn the challenge for a sustainable society, carbon-neutrality is a critical objective for all cities in the coming decades. In the EU City-zen project, academic partners collaborate to develop an urban energy transition methodology, which supports cities in making the energy transition to sustainable lifestyles and carbon neutrality. As part of the project, so-called Roadshows are organised in cities that wish to take the first step toward zero-energy living. Each Roadshow is methodologically composed to allow sustainability experts from across Europe to co-create designs, strategies and timelines with local stakeholders in order to reach this vital goal. Following a precursory investigative student workshop (the SWAT Studio), Dubrovnik was the third city to host the Roadshow in November 2016. During these events the characteristics of Dubrovnik, and the district of Gruž in particular, were systematically analysed, leading to useful insights into the current problems and potentials of the city. In close collaboration with local stakeholders, the team proposed a series of interventions, validated by the calculation of carbon emission, to help make Gruž, and in its wake the whole city of Dubrovnik, net zero energy and zero carbon. The vision presented to the inhabitants and its key city decision makers encompassed a path towards an attainable sustainable future. The strategies and solutions proposed for the Dubrovnik district of Gruž were able to reduce the current carbon sequestration compensation of 1200 hectares of forestland to only 67 hectares, an area achievable by urban reforestation projects. This paper presents the City-zen methodology of urban energy transition and that of the City-zen Roadshow, the analysis of the city of Dubrovnik, proposed interventions and the carbon impact, as calculated by means of the carbon accounting method discussed in the paper.

Subject

Sustainability
carbon neutrality
zero carbon cities
net zero energy
urban energy transition
energy renovation
neighbourhoods
SWAT Studio
City-zen
Roadshow
OA-Fund TU Delft