Bourdic, L; Salat, S and Nowacki, C (2012) Assessing cities: A new system of cross-scale spatial indicators. Building Research & Information, 40(5), pp. 592-605. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
Urban stakeholders require quantitative and robust tools to implement new paths to urban sustainability. Urban form, the spatial distribution of activities and urban organization are crucial aspects of cities' sustainability. Many tools and assessment systems have been developed to improve cities' energy efficiency and environmental footprint. However, most of these tools are based on the building scale. Most urban stakeholders are now convinced that a building scale approach is not sufficient: the scale of analysis should evolve from the building to the neighbourhood, district and city scales. An innovative system of indicators is presented that answers the need for multi-scale and cross-scale indicators and encompasses the intrinsic complexity of the city. Based on a morphologic approach, new mathematical formulas are used to generate urban sustainability indicators. These indicators can assist with the comparison of urban projects by using a structural point of view to assess the energy efficiency, social and environmental consequences of different urban forms. A comprehensive table displays 60 indicators and methods to quantify them. Some of these indicators have been quantified for real cities and are presented.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | built environment efficiency; environmental assessment; spatial indicators; sustainable cities; urban efficiency; urban resilience; urban tools |
| Index terms: | efficiency, environmental assessment, energy efficiency, spatial distribution, complexity, sustainable city, urban resilience, sustainability indicator, urban form, built environment |
| Subjects: | systems engineering, urban form and morphology, urban design, infrastructure and transport systems, geographical analysis, sustainability and energy, sustainability and resilience, performance management, environmental impact, sustainability assessment |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Sustainability, Quality Management, Geographical Context, Urban Studies |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
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