Energy Efficient Management of Cities: A Review of Approaches Worldwide Including the Economies in Transition

Abstract

This paper argues that it is not the lack of technologies that renders energy use in European (and world) cities inefficient and polluting, but the lack of effective regulatory frameworks and of acquaintance with modem integrated planning and financing tools. Describing the trend towards rising urban energy needs despite the high potential for energy efficiency, the paper advocates the strengthening of international cooperation (demonstration zones, networking, training) as a precondition for sustainable urban development in Europe.

Chapter 1 “Foreword” describes the papers systemic approach to the issue. Energy efficiency is viewed as the crucial notion for addressing urban pollution and congestion, if defined as “decreased urban energy intensity”. Indeed, “energy efficiency” will not be seen in isolation from the total urban societal and developmental fabric. Nor will energy efficiency be seen in a narrow geographical context. A comparison of achievements and failures worldwide will demonstrate the opportunity for cooperation and information transfer, particularly to the economies in transition.

Chapter 2 recalls the “Facts and Problems”. Urban concentration of population in 1990 (43% worldwide, 67% in the economies in transition) is projected to continue (2020: 67% and 76% respectively). So does energy demand generated by, but not necessarily occurring in, agglomerations: the share of urban in total energy demand would rise from 55 in 1990 to 63% in 2020 in the world and from 70 to 76% in the reforming countries. However, the potential of decreasing urban energy and emission intensities over the next thirty years would be high: 40 – 50%. Its implementation in the economies in transition would attenuate, but not stop, the growth of urban energy demand (+ 15 − 50%) and reduce emissions other than CO₂ emissions by 30 – 40%. By contrast, beneficial effects would be hardly felt in developing countries characterized by population explosion and urban concentration.