Abstract
This paper examines the urban form parameters in theories and ideas related to the urbanizing world. Adopting emergy (spelled with an “m”) synthesis, we studied New York City and the Greater Philadelphia region to determine the appropriate urban form, including building height, development density, bulkiness, and transportation. The European and North American mid-rise urban block is an effective settlement type for reducing per capita emergy in construction and building operations. Buildings over 40 stories with a development density exceeding a floor area ratio of 5 tend to show higher emergy investments per person. Large and bulky buildings with low surface-area-to-volume ratios that reside on the periphery of cities consume a significant amount of energy due to conditioning building space and the increased transportation needs for commuters.
Highlights
Rethinking EfficiencyEfficiency was an identified goal in almost all aspects of industry, society, and lifestyle during the twentieth century
In this study we explore emergy indices, including emergy intensity per land (ED) and per capita (EC), in order to identify urban forms that can maximize power, facilitate economic growth, and house people effectively in the process of urbanization
Urban form represents the spatial characteristics of human settlement, including land use patterns, transportation systems, and urban design [3]
Summary
Efficiency was an identified goal in almost all aspects of industry, society, and lifestyle during the twentieth century. We took out our seats and other amenities, added a rear-spoiler for better speed, and guzzled nitro-power fuel at the maximum rpm. Our Formula 1 cities have resulted in rising coastal lines, air pollution, lack of life and vibrancy in urban places, engineered and underused public spaces, zoning exclusions, and many other urban problems. In this study we explore emergy indices, including emergy intensity per land (ED) and per capita (EC), in order to identify urban forms that can maximize power, facilitate economic growth, and house people effectively in the process of urbanization. After presenting an emergy synthesis of 5 boroughs in New York City and 9 counties of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, we analyze the results and vet them against the predominant theories in urban form discussions, including high-rise buildings, high-density development, compact cities, and volume-to-surface ratio
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