Project Description

The main objective of this Action is to investigate, across the European Union, how carbon reductions can be achieved through appropriate design and management of the urban built environment. This involved the activities of the COST C23 Action entitled 'Strategies for a Low Carbon Urban Built Environments' which took place over the period 2004 to 2009. The main objective of the Action was to investigate, through a network of nineteen countries across Europe, 'how carbon reductions can be achieved through appropriate design and management of the urban built environment'. This involved investigating the built environment at building and urban scale, focusing on minimising energy use and associated carbon dioxide emissions.
The Action investigated how nineteen EU member states were active in reducing carbon dioxide levels in the built environment, not only in line with buildings meeting the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), but also taking standards beyond that and looking at how national and regional planning initiatives are being developed to reduce the energy use of urban areas. A collection of case studies are included that illustrate the development and implementation of low carbon strategies at urban and building scales.

Research Team

• Paulo Pinho (Member of COST Action)
• Fernando Brandão Alves (Member of COST Action)
• Maria Helena Corvacho (Member of COST Action)

Financial Support

• European Science Foundation (COST Office)

Stage of Progress

• Concluded in 2009