Low Carbon Urban Environments
By October 2009, some 850 cities across Europe had already signed up to the Covenant of Mayors initiative, confirming a will to reduce their CO² emissions by more than 20% by 2020 (so even surpassing EU energy objectives). This is a clear indication that climate change is more and more recognised as a priority challenge for urban areas. 
Concentrated and enlarging levels of energy demand, traffic generation, fossil fuel consumption etc. mean that most greenhouse gas emissions emanate from the world's major urban areas. Therefore, and emphasised by the restrained headway made in Copenhagen, the response of cities to the climate question will be of prime importance in seeking to achieve sustainable and environmentally responsible urban futures.
Furthermore, examples of coordinated, integrated action in cities - characterised by candidates for EU Green Capital Awards (but by no means exclusively) - demonstrate that this aspect of urban policy has finally come fully out of the closet. There is a groundswell of awareness and commitment to act which is translating into a hunger, among city policy makers and practitioners, to learn about and implement composite approaches, looking to construct effective and integrated city-wide, city-region models – including "sustainable energy action plans".
Five URBACT projects engaged to examine this area of concern attempting to extend our knowledge base, build strategies and concrete interventions as part of the drive towards the energy neutral city. The focus of the projects reflects the interesting cross-fertilisation in this domain - between comprehensive overarching operations or pilot projects and localised, area-based initiatives which have progressively been combined into coordinated and cohesive city programmes.
During the Development Phase, in the first category of overarching responses, UrSEnE addressed the question of developing urban strategies for energy efficiency while targeting the elaboration of local energy action plans. URBENENERGY aimed to develop integrated frameworks to improve energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources linked to the concept of energy conscious communities.
In the second category of targeted actions, two projects are being developed with a focus on transport issues. Active Travel Network is tackling transport problems and mitigation of environmental impacts through the promotion of cycling and walking. EVUE takes on the relatively new but highly topical task of accommodating the use of electric vehicles in urban Europe (generating acceptance, assessing technological options and providing infrastructure) as a means of achieving clean air, clean car fleet targets.
Finally, CASH forms a bridge between the two categories by investigating composite approaches to reduce energy consumption in the existing urban fabric (retrofitting etc.), but particularly focussing on improved efficiency to realise sustainable housing.
1. URBACT ARTICLES – Low Carbon Urban Environments
2. URBACT Outputs
3. News
4. URBACT EVENTS related to Low Carbon Urban Environments
5. OTHER EVENTS related to Low Carbon Urban Environments
6. Useful Links
1. URBACT ARTICLES – Low Carbon Urban Environments
- EVUE – URBACT Tribune Article: "Plugging in to go Green: A Revolution in Electric Mobility" – project Lead Expert, Sally Kneeshaw, November 2010
A combination of increased environmental consciousness (also encapsulated in EU 2020 strategy) and the impact of the economic crisis (particularly in the automobile industry) have together conspired to really push the question of electric mobility into the forefront of transport discussions over the last two to three years.
The electric vehicle option is now actively considered as a serious alternative to occupy a growing share of the transportation modal split, with particular emphasis on urban areas. Yet it is evident that this evolution presents an unfamiliar challenge to the whole chain of stakeholders who need to be involved if this option is to make significant inroads in changing mobility habits and contributing to a cleaner automotive environment. Vehicle producers, policy makers, providers of infrastructure and energy, and particularly end-users are seeking corporate and individual solutions which can ease the introduction of this option into our psyche and ultimately onto our streets. There is a particular reverse chicken and egg relationship here, where achieving full potential of vehicle production is difficult without the essential provision of infrastructure and acceptance of the consumer. Conversely consumers, authorities and service providers hesitate awaiting take up of, and realistic access (price, efficiency) to the product.
So the URBACT project EVUE seems to have arrived at just the right time to make a substantial contribution to the debate. There are still many questions to be resolved. In the article produced by EVUE for the URBACT Tribune publication 2010, Sally Kneeshaw (project Lead Expert) sets out the canvas within which the concept of electric mobility is developing. Both for those who are closely involved already, and for those who are looking to familiarise themselves with this theme, the article gives a valuable overview of current state of play on this issue. It provides a clear analysis of the pros and cons, opportunities and constraints within a European perspective. In this sense it represents a highly readable and comprehensive introduction to the focus of the network and to the subject of electric mobility in general.
2. URBACT Outputs
- Active Travel - Baseline Study
The point of departure of the Active Travel Network baseline study is, that while urban mobility is a prime factor in the economic growth of urban areas "the positive effects need to be weighed against the negative impacts of increasing car mobility". Nine city partners (led by the city of Weiz, Austria) and the University of Graz have joined forces to explore potentials and facilitate walking and cycling as a fundamental pillar of integrated urban transport policy, and as a real alternative to car use.
"Active Travel" initiatives and policy positions at EU level (plus literature and inventory of related networks and sites) are catalogued in detail, setting out Mobility Management and Travel Awareness as a reference framework for network activity - looking at options in respect of infrastructure, promotion and organisational measures. The project partner profiles identify: each cities problems; experience in tackling these; good practice examples and needs. Based on these elements, project partners then focus on their Local Action Plans. In this way, cycling and walking are fixed in discussions of transport efficiency, environmental benefits, health and fitness, economic and social impact. Here, cities approach the issue from different perspectives (as part of a noise plan, from the health angle, in terms of freeing space and improving city centre accessibility, countering excessive tourist pressure, as a feature of world heritage protection etc.). This wide ranging coverage of the problem is supported and enhanced by the commitment of each partner to establish an Active Travel Audit as basis for action.
The report provides a broad insight into the theme and planned activities of the network and represents in itself a valuable documentation for all who are concerned with carefully balanced urban mobility management.
- CASH "Energy efficiency for social housing" - Baseline Study
The theme of "Energy Efficiency in Social Housing" is particularly relevant in the current atmosphere of crisis and this study sets out prime issues associated with energy consumption, rising energy costs and fuel poverty to explore benefits (both tangible and less tangible) to be derived from applying more efficient energy regimes in affordable housing stock. It recognises the crucial challenge in terms of retrofitting existing stock but puts forward an interesting thesis "Eventually it is new housing that will determine the status of energy-efficient housing in the future. New buildings become existing buildings, hence will the efficiency of new buildings determine the efficiency of existing buildings over time".
The project highlights key stakeholder involvement within the legislative framework of climate policy and specifically the revised Energy Performance Buildings Directive. The relationship between supply discussions, technological solutions and EU funding possibilities is precisely described and highlights the potential importance to be derived from the activities and findings of this project.
The 80 page document takes this subject area into full consideration as a fundamental part of the formula to deliver integrated and sustainable urban development. It also suggests that this network can present an interesting opportunity to examine links to the green economy.
- EVUE - Baseline Study
The EVUE baseline study provides us with a comprehensive overview of EU electro mobility initiatives, projects, policy and legislation. Furthermore it presents a clear outline of the critical considerations cities need to address if they are to accommodate this "greener" transport alternative. While the project focuses primarily on electric cars, it is such considerations which will frame the exchange process between the network partners. The baseline highlights aspects of: vehicle manufacture, standards and affordability; infrastructure priorities particularly effective charging solutions (who pays and how?); energy supply (improving action radius – smart technology metering); essential stakeholders; regulatory and fiscal frameworks; product placement, generating citizen awareness and political support (driver, car-owner and citizen acceptance in general). It raises intriguing questions "how can cities prevent and monitor modal shift from public transport, cycling and walking towards use of private electric vehicles?"
The partner profiles describe highly motivated city partners where interaction will be characterised by sharing experience and expectation between cities with developed and sophisticated ideas and projects and cities which are in the initial stages of launching electro mobility initiatives.
For those who are looking for an accessible and wide ranging introduction to the topic of electro mobility, the state of the art and synthetic conclusions of this 110 page document provide an important and invaluable point of reference.
In the second half of 2010 the EVUE project produced two reports on network meetings, held respectively in La Rochelle and Madrid. Interested in keeping up to date with EVUE and general advancement on electro-mobility and the contribution it can make to reducing the carbon footprint? – then these are certainly valuable documents for consultation.
- EVUE: Report on Network Meeting and Site Visit – La Rochelle, Oct. 2010
The La Rochelle meeting was primarily organised to consolidate partner agreement on orientation of network activity and the further steps to be taken. The location was chosen as a benchmark for EVUE cities: although La Rochelle is not an EVUE partner it has an impressive history of multi-modal electro-mobility strategy. The report provides interesting nuggets of information both on the French city approach and in EVUE partners progress in promoting electric vehicles.
- EVUE Report on Network Meeting and Study Visit – Madrid, November 2010
The Madrid meeting was dedicated to examining the "business model" and provides a summarised account of partner exchange where it is clear that there is considerable material and thinking on this key aspect. So EVUE cities demonstrate progress on building strategies and developing innovative practice. However an important conclusion of the transnational exchange of experience in Madrid is that, there is still no clear picture of any one existing, comprehensive, operational business model to facilitate the introduction of electric vehicles into our city streetscape. This is something which will be followed further in future network activities.
The EVUE project has instigated a series of "Expert Seminars" the first of which was organised in Suceava (Romania) in October 2010. These are designed to assemble a forum of expertise to support the activities and actions planned by individual partner cities, and particularly to back up Local Support Group working. This report provides an insight into the flavour of such an event and showcases the Norwegian experience in developing electro-mobility through the eyes of the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association and the project "Green Car". Also check out the project website for the follow-up report from Katowice of the Expert Seminar held there in April 2011.
- EVUE Report on Network Meeting – Lisbon - Beja, June 2011
The report of the activities organised for the network in Lisbon and Beja gives an update of progress in the partner cities with particular focus on the experiences and plans of the host cities and information on awareness raising initiatives . This meeting was also remarkable for its ambition to hold a Mayoral Summit to support Electro Mobility policy . The exchange between the elected representatives of the partner cities culminated in the signing of a "Memorandum of Understanding".
This article is the result of interviews carried out by the EVUE Lead Expert, Sally Kneeshaw and allows us to compare the European and EVUE experience with current developments under consideration in the United States - with New York as example. The EVUE project web site being brings together many such perspectives in reports from and links to other programmes and initiatives in the field of electromobility. These provide a highly valuable insight into the broader picture affecting cities across the EU and extend the database available to the project partners supplying extra consultation material for consultation by policy makers and practitioners involved or interested in the EVUE theme . (See "Preparing for a life Cycle CO² Measure" or "So How Much CO² does your Vehicle Emit" for example in the Documents section of the site)
One of the elements underpinning the project is the application of an Active Travel Audit, to assess where each partner is in terms of support for and effective adoption of active travel modes. This is a self-assessment tool designed to aid policy development through input from a broad group of relevant stakeholders. In order to generate understanding on how to use this tool the project has prepared: a short guideline on carrying out such an audit ; a questionnaire to gather the required stakeholder data and guidelines for evaluation of the results
- Active Travel Network – Study Visit to Arhus linked to the Transnational Meeting held in Skanderborg, September 2011
The Danish experience in promoting cycling is a reference model for Europe and in conjunction with the partner meeting in Skanderborg this short 6 page case report provides a portrait of the situation in Aarhus, one of the most committed bicycle oriented cities.
- POWER Low Carbon Economies
The EVUE network, building knowledge and capacity on electro-mobility, draws attention to the INTERREG IVC "POWER" Programme promoting Low Carbon Economies. The regional focus of this initiative can provide a valuable complement to the URBACT city approach as the programme examines 5 major themes:
- Energy efficiency
- Renewable energy
- Eco innovation and Environmental Technologies
- Sustainable Transport
- Behaviour Change
It is clear that there are common issues and the sub-projects sponsored to run under these themes can have an operational interest for Low Carbon URBACT projects. Why not check out the following links?
http://powerprogramme.ning.com/
The website is interactive and open to exchange, an invitation to add URBACT voices to the discussions in a parallel thematic platform. Why not explore the opportunity?
4. URBACT EVENTS related to Low Carbon Urban Environments
- CASH Transnational Meeting
27 - 28 January 2011 – Utrecht - Active Travel Network Transnational Meeting
21 – 22 March 2011, Sevilla (link to Velocity event 23-26 March, Sevilla) - EVUE Transnational Network Meeting and Mayor's Summit
8 – 9 June 2011, Lisbon - CASH Thematic Seminar "Financial Engineering"
September 2011 – Frankfurt am Main
5. OTHER EVENTS related to Low Carbon Urban Environments
- 2010 Annual Polis Conference - Innovation in transport for sustainable cities and regions
Dresden, 25-26 November 2010 - Opportunities for Large Scale Integration of Electric Vehicles
8 - 10 February 2011 - London - Sustainable Mobility in Europe: Intermodes 2011
9-10 February - Brussels - Retrofitting for Energy Efficiency Europe
(BUILD UP EU energy portal)
15-16 February 2011 - London - Green Cities 2011
27th February - 2nd March 2011 - Melbourne - The Future of Cities (Chatham House)
28th February - 1st March 2011 - World Sustainable Energy days
2 - 4 March 2011, Wels, Austria - Walking, Cycling, Connecting Communities
8th March 2011 - Edinburgh - VELO-CITY 2011
23 - 25 March - Sevilla - Conference "Future of the Urban Dimension"
30th March 2011 - Brussels, Permanent Representation of Germany - "Do it Yourself... Together!" 15th Energy Cities' Annual Rendez-vous
6 - 8 April 2011 - Zagreb, Croatia - NICHES + Final conference on urban transport innovation
7th April - London - AENEAS Final Conference. Green Mobility for Active Ageing
8th April 2011 - Brussels (Committee of the Regions) - EU Sustainable Energy Week
11 - 15 April, 2011 - Brussels - EUKN – EURELECTRIC Conference "Building Tomorrow's Smart Cities: The Role of Electricity and DSOs for Sustainable Urban Development"
12th May - Brussels - Green Week 2011 Resource Efficiency - Using less, living better (European Commission Environment)
24 - 27 May 2011 - Brussels - 2011 International Transport Forum
25 - 27 May 2011 - Leipzig - 15th International Passive House Conference
27-28 May 2011 - Innsbruck - World Renewable Energy Congress 2011
8-13 May - Linköping, Sweden - Citymobil Conference. Smart Mobility for Better Cities
12 - 13 May 2011 - La Rochelle - 15th European Conference on Mobility Management (ECOMM) - 18 - 20 May 2011 - Toulouse
- The European Electric Vehicles Conference 2011: Will Electric Vehicles become a reality in Europe (Centre for EU Policy Studies/Forum Europe)
26th May 2011 - Brussels - Resilient Cities (Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change)
3-5 June 2011 - Bonn - ITS in Lyon. 8th EU Intelligent Transport Systems Conference
6 - 9 June 2011 - Lyon - Electric Vehicle Infrastructure World Congress 2011
22 - 23 June 2011 - Berlin - ICSUTE 2011 International Conference on Sustainable Urban Transport and Environment
28 - 30 June 2011 - Paris - Cities for Mobility World Congress 2011
The future of urban mobility
3 - 5 July 2011, Stuttgart - Green Building Solutions Summer University
24 July - 14 August 2011 - Vienna - European Mobility Week 2011
11 - 22 September 2011 - World Sustainable Building Conference
18th-21st October 2011 - Helsinki
- "How to develop a Sustainable Energy Action Plan" – Guidebook: Covenant of Mayors
- Operational pilot version of the European Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities