Language: English
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is urban development that relies on public transport, while maintaining a closely knitted urban fabric through high-density, mixed land use and human-scale design, within walking distance from transit stations. Key features of TOD include: high-quality public spaces which are sensitive to community needs; variety of housing types and prices, frequent reliable, fast and comfortable transit; and measures discouraging the use of private cars, including walkable and cycling-friendly environment, parking management, traffic calming measures promoted through street design and others. TOD can create socially vibrant communities, contribute to economic development and enhance environmental quality. TOD is a key strategy for integrating land use and transportation planning and enabling sustainable urban mobility.
Urban freight and logistics looks at the movement of goods made by light or heavy vehicles, as well as non-motorized transportation modes such as cargo bikes and rickshaws. It can be linked to different market sectors such as retail, waste, construction, road services, hotel, restaurant and catering industry, as well as express courier and post. Globally, transport accounts for 23% of total GHG emissions, of which 40% is contributed by freight transport. Heavy freight vehicles are also one of the world’s major sources of Particulate Matter (PM) emissions, impacting urban life both directly and indirectly.
Sustainable public procurement (SPP) is the act of purchasing products and services with the lowest environmental and highest positive social impacts, throughout the life-cycle of products and services. [1][3] This includes considering a wide range of characteristics of the products and services procured, such as: the use of non-toxic substances, renewable materials, energy and water consumption during use, as well as disposal, reuse and recycling options at the end of life.
This Solution provides guidance on the integration of renewable energy (RE) sources into district energy. It can be of interest to both established and growing cities. For new district energy systems (DES), cities should explore opportunities to integrate local RE sources from the early planning stages. For pre-existing systems, the integration of renewables can be coordinated with system expansion and/or the retrofitting plans for the network as well as energy production. Decentralized production using multiple RE sources and technologies can offer several benefits as well.
The RethinkAction Platform supports local and regional stakeholders in addressing climate change through land-use-based Adaptation and Mitigation Solutions (LAMS). It enables users to assess climate risks, explore science-based climate strategies, and simulate future scenarios at local, European, and global scales. The platform offers different tools categorised under 3 main analysis paths: 1) LAMS Catalogue, 2) Local Analysis Tool, 3) EU/Global Analysis Tool.
This Solution was tailored to Local Governments who have ownership and/or regulatory authority over the municipal water supply system. In this Solution, the Local Government takes a comprehensive approach throughout the different phases of the system’s project and useful life to decrease water-loss, both due to leakage and ruptures and to unaccounted consumption, from policy setting, project design, and project evaluation criteria to operation, monitoring, and maintenance of the system.
Architectural designs, construction practices, and technologies help optimize energy and resource use in buildings and provides benefits such as cleaner air, more comfortable homes and workspaces, and lower utility bills [1]. Improving energy efficiency in buildings aligns perfectly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement by lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Sludge is the solid waste material, primarily organic in nature which settles out in the residential/municipal wastewater treatment process. When the dewatered and dried sludge undergoes anaerobic digestion, it generates biogas (mostly Methane) which can be collected and used as a source of renewable energy.
Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of useful heat and electricity from the same fuel source (IEA, 2009), also known as Combined Heat and Power generation (CHP). It is much more efficient than separate power generation through the combustion of fuels and usually a good choice for large consumers of both heat/cool and electricity such as certain types of industry and hospitals.
Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping serves as a framework to organize and analyze data, and communicate information using the science of geography. It also reveals deeper insights into data, such as patterns, relationships, and situations, helping users make smarter decisions [1]. Before the introduction of GIS for resource assessment, site suitability was carried out through site surveys, paper maps, and other time-consuming, inefficient, and costly field sampling methods.
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) is an innovative business model where energy service companies sell or lease solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, usually solar home systems (SHS), to customers in exchange for regular payments via mobile money, cash or scratch cards [1]. Due to the range of packages available, customers can choose from starter kits that supply a few lights and charge cell phones, to larger systems that can power TVs, radios, stoves and small fridges [1][2]. In some cases, if a customer cannot make payments, the energy service provider is able to switch off the system remotely, and switch them on again once payment is made [2
Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen gas produced through a process called electrolysis, using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power. It’s called “green”” because the energy used in its production comes from sustainable and clean sources, resulting in minimal or no greenhouse gas emissions. The process of creating green hydrogen involves splitting water molecules (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) through electrolysis. During electrolysis, an electric current passes through water, causing the water molecules to dissociate into their constituent elements: hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen produced in this way can be stored and used as a clean energy carrier in various sectors, such as transportation, industry, and power generation.”