Sustainable urban development

To reduce the emissions of green house gasses from urban areas, integrated strategies, focusing on urban development and new technologies, are needed. Policy options for mitigation depend on urban form and functionality of cities, the human lifestyles they foster, as well as technical solutions. City authorities and other stakeholders are therefore crucial players, and robust governance strategies are needed to implement integrated mitigation strategies. Transport planning in conjunction with location of facilities and services will play a key role for the development of compact, low emission settlements.

 

The main scientific objectives are:

 

1. To understand the relationship between urban form (densification and sprawl), lifestyle changes and greenhouse gas emissions.
2. To identify the drivers and limits for transportation in metropolitan regions.
3. To identify the possibilities for implementing urban climate strategies in governance and government frameworks.
4. To identify different practises for developing mitigation and adaptation strategies, including the social, ecological and economic costs and benefits of their implementation, and the possible conflicts between mitigation and adaptation strategies.

The mitigation studies are expected to open significant perspectives for understanding mechanisms of sustainability of urban areas and assessing mitigation strategies directed towards urban areas.

 

Contact: Professor Gertrud Jørgensen ()