Planning Energy Efficient and Livable Cities

The world's urban population is
expected to increase by about 2.7 billion by
2050.Virtually all of the increased population
will be in developing countries, leading to massive needs
for new and improved housing and urban infrastructures
(UNDESA 2012). The planning and design of these new
developments will reshape or create new urban landscapes
with significant implications for energy consumption,
infrastructure costs, as well as the livability and social
and economic resilience of cities. Studies of cities around
the world indicate that a city's livability and its
level of energy use are closely linked to its physical form,
namely the spatial distribution and dimensions of buildings,
streets, and parks, as well as the spatial coordination of
residences, jobs, social services, and environmental amenities.