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UrbanAreaParameters
Characteristic values for the evaluation of the climate compatibility of new settlements

In Switzerland a system for the integral planning, evaluation and quality check of new settlement projects is in usage since many years (2000-Watt Site certification). Content of the project “UrbanAreaParameters” was the definition of specific reference and target values for the evaluation of the climate compatibility of new settlements under consideration of the Austrian framework conditions.

ArchitectureBuilding Materials and ComponentsResearchSmart City

The key finding from three pilot certifications in Austria was that the 2000-Watt Site certification system would also be suitable for the evaluation of the climate compatibility of Austrian settlements. For that, the adaptation of central elements to the Austrian frameworks would be necessary (e.g. reference and target values, qualitative criteria, organizational structures).

In the project, reference and target values for residential buildings, office buildings and school buildings for the indicators primary energy and GHG-Emissions were developed. Apart from the evaluation of

  • operational energy (for heating, warm water, ventilation, auxiliary energy, illumination)

the values should allow the evaluation of

  • grey energy (energy for manufacture, erection, replacement and disposal of building materials)

energy used for mobility (mobility in Austria, persons 6 years and older).

The reference and target values were developed top-down (translation of national target values to the level of settlements; basis: national statistics) and bottom-up (what is technically possible; basis: model buildings and mobility survey).

The target values are based on the scenario “Renewable Energy” and must be reached, if the settlement should be climate compatible. The reference values can be exceeded in each category and can be used as orientation.

Finally, the results were discussed and finalized with Austrian experts. The elaborated reference and target values can be used as basis for planning and discussions. Also the detailed results are helpful for the usage, because they show the range of possible values for different settlement concepts (single family houses, apartment buildings, office and school buildings, rural and urban settlements).

In the future the reference and target values should be implemented in a planning tool, and qualitative criteria and a quality check process should be added, so that a full and integral planning and evaluation of settlements is possible.

Project team

SIR – Salzburger Institut für Raumordnung und Wohnen (project lead)

IBO – Österreichisches Institut für Bauen und Ökologie GmbH

Research Studios Austria Forschungsgesellschaft mbH

Energieinstitut Vorarlberg

HERRY Consult GmbH

Research period

July 2016 – June 2017

Funding Institutions

Funded by the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology in the programme City of Tomorrow

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