Energy-Saving Potential in Planning Urban Functional Areas: The Case of Bialystok (Poland)

Abstract

Mobility is one of the basic needs for modern people. The transport system is one of the largest consumers of energy. The largest dimension of mobility activity is concentrated in metropolitan areas, which also shows energy consumption by transport. The research looked at the potential for improving the energy efficiency of a functional and spatial structure, using the example of a medium-sized city and its functional area. The study refers to the idea of the pervasiveness of spatial structure and to the criteria of New Urbanism, as a multifunctional and sustainable urban form. The gravity fields concept was also used. This article presents simulation modeling that has made it possible to model the potential for optimizing an urbanized area towards a reduction in energy consumption in the mobility sphere and to compare the scale of the potential in this respect of its segments in relation to the movement relationships of the destinations (residence, services, workplaces, and leisure). Results show the greatest energy-saving potential located in the peripheral areas with longer distances from centers and the worst equipment of services and infrastructure. The analytic model presented in the article, based on the concept of pervasiveness, could be used for the evaluation of the multifunctionality and sustainability of urban structures.