Making a High Density, Mixed-Use Neighborhood Energy Neutral

Abstract

This paper describes a set of guideline that will help architects, planners and policy makers in developing high-density, mixed-use neighbor-hoods that are energy neutral by firstly reducing the initial demand, com-bining functions to reuse and recycle waste streams and thirdly to use on-site renewable energy sources to meet the remaining demand. Les-sons learned from doing multiple case studies are that the process, par-ticipating actors and goals set during the initial phase are crucial to the success and the (financial) feasibility of the project. Literature research will be done on both spatial and energetic aspects of urban building blocks to eventually form the guidelines and recommendations. Reduc-ing and reusing can decrease the electricity demand up to 25% in gen-eral and heating and cooling energy by an astonishing 80%. Integrating both photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collectors and photovoltaic panels into roof designs greatly increases its total area and annual yield. To-gether with a wind turbine in the close proximity it is demonstrated that a newly built neighborhood with a population density of 330 people per hectare in the Marine Area, Amsterdam can be totally energy neutral on a yearly basis. The intention of this paper is thus to demonstrate that ur-ban neighborhoods as opposed to more commonly seen low density neighborhoods can be energy neutral and economically feasible by combining principles of urban ‘cityplot’ design, the new stepped strategy and an energy planning approach.