Low carbon City development trends - The role of Urban planning

Abstract

Humanity has been facing extraordinary risks and challenges related to climate change, such as extreme weather events, sea level rise, water stress, desertification, biodiversity loss, and conflicts over limited resources (Abubakar and Aina 2016; De Jong et al. 2015). The leading cause of climate change is anthropological expansion of greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide, and methane, in the atmosphere. About 70% of global CO2 emission is associated with urban areas because they cluster socioeconomic activities that generate climate change-related emissions (Hoornweg et al. 2011); Low carbon city is a sustainable urbanization approach that centers on curtailing the anthropogenic carbon footprint of cities by means of minimizing or abolishing the utilization of energy sourced from fossil fuels. It combines the features of low carbon society and low carbon economy while supporting partnerships among governments, private sectors, and civil societies.

In addition, to achieve climate goals, urban planning also plays an important role in changing the carbon footprint of urban residents through the concept of urban structure, urban design, spatial orientation, land use and infrastructure planning as well as urban design.

The article focuses on clarifying the definition of Low Carbon City, its origin, nature and distinction from equivalent concepts. At the same time, point out the role and principles of urban planning in building lowcarbon cities, referencing the experiences of some countries around the world.

Keywords: Low carbon city; Urban Planning; Sustainable Development