13 - Indicators for Assessing the Sustainability of Cities

Sustainability assessment initiatives at the local level have been increasing in number since the mid-1990s and are now plentiful. The definitions of sustainable development used in sustainability assessment instruments, however, vary widely. This chapter illustrates the diversity of sustainability assessment tools available at the local level by presenting two indicator-based instruments developed in Switzerland. The first one, Cercle Indicateurs, is an all-encompassing sustainability assessment tool; the second one, Swiss City Statistics, focuses on the well-being and quality of life dimensions of sustainability. The two instruments are presented and analysed according to the Bellagio Sustainability Assessment and Measurement Principles (Bellagio STAMP), which have been grouped into five categories: (1) conceptual framework, (2) time and spatial scale, (3) participation, (4) transparency and communication, and (5) continuity and capacity. We suggest that transparency about the rationale for setting up a sustainability assessment instrument and about its actual implementation is crucial, because these aspects influence how ‘sustainability’ is operationalised and therefore the result of the assessment.

Geneva, from car-euphoria to opening of the borders

Hanja-Niriana Maksim

Over the last two decades, urban planning has been reapplied in several European countries: common tendencies that underline the reform of planning procedures are the generalization of sustainable development and the reorganization of local government. Bringing an additional degree of complexity to planning procedures, the implementation of sustainable development appears to be strongly dependent of an effective and efficient inter-sectorial coordination between urban and transport policies. However, beyond these common evolutions, large differences appear in practice, depending on political cultures, planning traditions, and local contexts.

Delft University of Technology2012

ACTIVE INTERFACES. Holistic design strategies for renovation projects with buildingintegrated photovoltaics (BIPV): case study from the 1900s in Neuchâtel (Switzerland).

Sergi Aguacil Moreno, Sophie Lufkin

As the majority of buildings that will exist in 2050 are already built, with many of them having a low level of energy performance, urban renewal processes play an essential role towards the sustainable development of cities. In this context, BIPV systems can potentially provide a crucial response to the energy turnaround targets. Functioning both as envelope material and electricity generator, they can simultaneously reduce the use of fossil fuels and GHG emissions while providing savings in materials and electricity costs. Focusing on the architectural design, this paper presents the results of a multi-criteria evaluation in terms of Life-Cycle Assessment and Cost of different renovation scenarios, integrating into the design process: (1) Passive strategies, to improve the envelope through low-embodied energy materials and construction systems; (2) BIPV strategies, using innovative photovoltaic products as a new construction material for façades and roofs; (3) Active strategies, adapting HVAC systems to improve their efficiency by maximizing the consumption of the energy produced on-site. The research methodology presented in this paper, through a representative case study of an archetypal building from the 1900s in Neuchâtel (Switzerland), proposes a new way to address rehabilitation projects of existing buildings in urban environments. The main outcome provides - to architects and engineers - advanced BIPV renovation strategies depending on the building typology, the architectural design goals, and the level of intervention (conservation, renovation or transformation).

2017

Integrated design strategies for renovation projects with Building-Integrated Photovoltaics towards Low-Carbon Buildings: Two comparative case studies in Neuchâtel (Switzerland)

Sergi Aguacil Moreno, Sophie Lufkin

As tomorrow’s cities are already largely built, and as many of their buildings have a low energy performance level, urban renewal processes are essential for the sustainable development of European cities. In this context, Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems, using innovative PV products as new construction material for façades and roofs, can potentially provide a crucial response for achieving long-term carbon targets. This paper presents an integrated architectural design process for addressing renovation projects. Presented through a comparison of two case studies on archetypal residential buildings from the 1900s and 1970s in Neuchâtel (Switzerland), this approach includes the design of different renovation scenarios integrating passive, active and BIPV strategies. An optimization of the potential BIPV (or active) surfaces based on the annual irradiation threshold is conducted to maximize self-consumption (SC) and self-sufficiency (SS). The scenarios, before and after this optimization-based refinement, are evaluated in terms of Life-Cycle Assessment and Cost. Results demonstrate the importance of the optimization to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the strategy and increase the independence from energy suppliers. The main outcome provides, to architects and engineers, advanced BIPV renovation strategies along with results from a multi-criteria evaluation that are crucial for reaching carbon neutrality

2017