Sutton and Freiburg invent neighbourhoods for the future

by Blandine Pidoux on 8 December 2009 / 396 visites

Energie-Cités bakes fortune cookies for the Copenhagen negotiators:
10 inspiring local policies for 10 days of the Summit
Proven and successful local experiences in climate and energy matters are the best support the EU negotiators can get in Copenhagen. That is why Energie-Cités, with 20 years of experience in sustainable energy policy, has prepared 10 electronic fortune cookies to inspire the decision-makers during the Climate Summit COP 15.

BedZED: an ecological footprint reduced by half

BedZED (Beddington Zero Energy Development) is the UK’s first and largest carbon-neutral eco-community and is located in the London Borough of Sutton, a residential town 40 minutes South East from London.
BedZED consists of 82 residential homes with a mixture of tenures – 34 for outright sale, 23 for shared ownership, 10 for key workers and 15 at affordable rent for social housing – and 1’600 square metres of work space, an onsite shop, café, sport facilities, health centre and childcare facilities with a further 14 galleried apartments for outright sale. Residents have been living at BedZED since March 2002 and currently BedZed is home to 220 residents.
According to the "One Planet Living" principles, BedZED design concept was driven by the desire to create a net ’zero fossil energy development’, one that will produce at least as much energy from renewable sources as it consumes. Only energy from renewable sources is used to meet the energy needs of BedZED. The development is therefore a carbon neutral development - resulting in no net addition of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
Buildings are constructed from thermally massive materials that store heat during warm conditions and release heat at cooler times. BedZED houses are arranged in south facing terraces to maximise heat gain from the sun, known as passive solar gain. 777 square meters are covered with solar panels. Each terrace is backed by north facing offices, where minimal solar gain reduces the tendency to overheat and the need for air conditioning. BedZED homes and offices are fitted with low energy lighting and energy efficient appliances to reduce electricity requirements.

Vauban: the European example of local sustainability

In the South of Freiburg (DE), on the former area of a French barrack site, the Vauban district has been developed on 38 hectares of land in order to host more than 5,000 inhabitants and 600 jobs. The planning for the district started in 1993 and the implementation phase started in 1997. Right from the beginning all issues (mobility, energy, housing, social aspects, ...) were discussed in working groups which were open to residents. Raising public awareness was regarded as key component when planning an environment-oriented district as people have to be convinced that such action not only serves their interests from an ecological point of view but also helps to save money in the long term.

The main driving factor was the need to provide accommodation to the growing number of inhabitants. Other major driving forces for the development of Vauban are the ideas, creativity and commitment of people involved and the common goal to create a sustainable neighbourhood. The principle "Learning while Planning" adopted by the city allowed flexibility in reacting to new developments. The existence and popularity of Vauban helped the city of Freiburg to be recognised as the green capital of Germany.