Assessing ecological sustainability in urban planning: EcoBalance Model

Urban planning solutions and decisions have large-scale significance for ecological sustainability, eco-efficiency, the consumption of energy and other natural resources, the production of greenhouse gas and other emissions, and the costs caused by urban form. The EcoBalance Model was developed to assess sustainability of urban form and has been applied at various planning levels: regional plans, local master plans and detailed plans. The EcoBalance model estimates the total consumption of energy and other natural resources, the production of emissions and wastes and the costs caused directly and indirectly by urban form on a life cycle basis. The results of the case studies provide information about the ecological impacts of various solutions in urban development. Planning solutions may impact on greenhouse gas emissions by 10% at the regional level, 60% at the local community level, and even 200% at the local dwelling area level. Impact on emissions caused by transportation is even bigger: at least double compared to the impact on total emissions. Similarly, large impacts can be seen concerning the consumption of energy and other natural resources, as well as costs. The most important factors in sustainable urban planning are at the dwelling area level - location, structure, building density, house types, space heating systems; at the community and regional level - area density, energy consumption and production systems, location and distances between dwellings, working places and services, transportation systems, possibilities for walking and cycling, availability of public transport and necessity for the use of private cars.