ENER-BI: Integrating Energy and Spatial Data for Cities’ Decarbonisation Planning

• Main Authors: Koldo Urrutia-Azcona, Elena Usobiaga-Ferrer, Pablo De Agustín-Camacho, Patricia Molina-Costa, Mauricia Benedito-Bordonau, Iván Flores-Abascal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: decarbonisation; urban transformation; cities; decision support system; energy transition; strategic planning
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/1/383

Given the current climate emergency, our planet is suffering. Mitigation measures must be urgently deployed in urban environments, which are responsible for more than 70% of global CO₂ emissions. In this sense, a deeper integration between energy and urban planning disciplines is a key factor for effective decarbonisation in urban environments. This is addressed in the Cities4ZERO decarbonisation methodology. This method specifically points out the need for technology-based solutions able to support that integration among both disciplines at a local level, enriching decision-making in urban decarbonisation policy-making, diagnosis, planning, and follow-up tasks, incorporating the spatial dimension to the whole process (GIS-based), as well as the possibilities of the digital era. Accordingly, this paper explores the demands of both integrated urban energy planning and European/Basque energy directives, to set the main requisites and functionalities that Decision Support Systems (DSSs) must fulfil to effectively support city managers and the urban decarbonisation process.