In order to tackle the challenge of CET towards carbon neutralities by 2050, cities need to move from silos to integrated approaches (both in the structural design and institutional planning). This change will enable cities to shape the ongoing complex urban transformation in a more resilient manner while at the same time ensuring sustainable CET.
The required paradigm change in the design and implementation of integrated urban solutions needs innovative concepts and
system structures in respect to the regulatory framework conditions. It implies setting up a participatory process to involve and engage a wide spectrum of stakeholders and citizen engagement to cope with the social impact in an
increasingly difficult demographic context. Guided by this vision, PLENTY-LIFE is establishing an innovative, stakeholder-based and citizen-motivated holistic integrated spatial and energy planning (HISEP) methodology, which integrates energy planning with the urban planning process to design sustainable decarbonisation strategies for urban areas. Hence, it is well-suited to help SMCTs institutionalize integrated energy planning and build their capacities to formulate and monitor long-term sustainable energy strategies for the clean energy transition.
Methodology:
Responding to the ongoing transition of energy systems and the need for sustainable urban transformation at cities and district scales (Neumann, Hainoun, Stollnberger, et al., 2021), the proposed methodology of HISEP is an innovative approach developed and implemented by the participating institutions. Different elements of the HISEP methodology have been successfully demonstrated in preparing decarbonisation strategies to support cities and regions in achieving their energy and climate goals (Neumann,
Hainoun, Stortecky, et al., 2021), (Ali Hainoun et al., 2018), (Horak et al., 2021), (Stöglehner, 2019), (Abart-Heriszt & Stöglehner, 2019).
This methodology relies on the concept of integrated spatio-temporal energy-demand and supply analysis, embedded within the urban planning process and realised by cutting edge urban energy modelling tools to assess energy demand and supply and related flexibilization needs. It further provides a monitoring framework based on key indicators to track urban CET (KICET) aligned with selected goals of SDGs.
