Abstract
Floor Area Ratio, commonly known as FAR, is a primary planning metric in urbanism. It is commonly known as the ratio of accumulated built floor areas against the size of a site/plot. In recent years, China's rapid urban development has resulted in a substantial increase in FAR, particularly in residential areas. A notable shift from low-rise row housing typology to a more common high-rise residential unit is certainly a key factor behind the increase of energy use in many Chinese cities. This factor highlights the need for a sustainable energy planning strategy at the community level. As a novelty, this study reflects on the FAR changes in the context of China, and evaluates the impacts on energy use at the community scale. This study tests four FAR models of 1.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 4.0 and provides a computational modelling analysis, with a comparison analysis. FAR models of 1.0 and 4.0 are typical models of low-rise and mid-to-high rise, respectively. Findings suggest FAR 4.0 as the least efficient for energy planning while FAR 1.0 is the least economically viable model. The results support policy development on FAR monitory, and paradigm shifts for future urban development models, particularly for the small to medium-scale residential compounds in cities.
Highlights
The progressive urbanisation, while positive, comes with distinct social, economic, environmental, and technological challenges (United Nations, 2014)
Regarding the renewable energy aspect of energy planning of the site, the results provide an overview for suggesting a specific type of development, for the optimisation of solar thermal and PV panel use at the meso-scale planning
The energy characteristics of FAR would vary amongst continents and countries at a larger scale and regions and cities at a relatively smaller scale
Summary
The progressive urbanisation, while positive, comes with distinct social, economic, environmental, and technological challenges (United Nations, 2014). Population increase and concentration in new residential zones affect the formation of policies and the local governance of the region (Wang et al, 2015) Such impacts include changes in urban land use patterns, urban development models, and the potential pathways sustainable planning and design are directed. Often mistaken with compact design, is a major indicator that suggests changes in Towards a Sustainable Energy Planning Strategy land use policy, densification of cities, and redevelopment of older communities with new models of urban development This applies to residential communities and compounds, where we see a growing trend of increasing urban energy demand and higher-level concentration of population, lack of green space, and high-density living environments
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