Volume 9: Sustainable Energy Solutions for Changing the World: Part I

Spatial Analysis of Building-related Urban CO2 Emissions Based on the Local Climate Zones Classification System Ayyoob Sharifi, Masoud Javadpoor

https://doi.org/10.46855/energy-proceedings-7096

Abstract

The carbon dioxide (CO2) emission patterns of urban areas are likely to be closely associated with urban form. Using geographical information of Los Angeles County, this study examines potential linkages between urban form and CO2 emission patterns. For this purpose, we rely on the Local Climate Zones (LCZ) classification system, which is a universal framework for classifying urban areas into different categories according to their urban form characteristics. Our purpose is to see if there are any associations between types of LCZ and emission patterns. First, we developed the LCZ map for the county. Next, we obtained information related to residential and commercial building CO2 emissions across different neighborhoods from the official database of county. Next, we linked the emission data to the LCZ map to estimate per hectare and per capita emissions of each LCZ type. Results show that, in most cases, different LCZ types feature similar per capita emission patterns. This is, particularly, the case for commercial emissions. In terms of residential buildings, however, LCZ NO. 9 that refers to sparsely built development type exhibits significantly higher per capita emissions. This support common arguments regarding the environmental footprints of urban sprawl. Overall, results of this study indicate that the LCZ-based urban carbon mapping can provide useful insights into emission patterns of different urban forms. However, further research is needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding.

Keywords CO2 emissions, urban form, local climate zones, Los Angeles county, commercial buildings, residential buildings

Copyright ©
Energy Proceedings