Steven Jige Quan

Urban Data and Building Energy Modeling: A GIS-Based Urban Building Energy Modeling System Using the Urban-EPC Engine

There is a lack of building energy modeling in current planning support systems (PSS) while building energy efficiency is getting greater attention. This is due to the current limitations of energy modeling at the urban scale and the inconsistency between the available urban data and that required for modeling. The chapter seeks to fill this gap by developing a GIS-based urban building energy modeling system, using the Urban-EPC simulation engine, a modified Energy Performance Calculator engine. This modeling system is compatible with other planning tools, enhanced by the combination of physical and statistical modeling, and adjustable in its resolution, speed and accuracy. Through processing the Data Preparation, Pre-Simulation, Main Simulation and Visualization and Analysis models in this energy modeling system, the urban data related to the basic building information, mutual shading, microclimate and occupant behavior are collected, modified, and synthesized in the GIS platform and then used as the input of the Urban-EPC engine to get energy use of every building in a city, which could be further visualized and analyzed. The method is applied in Manhattan to show its potential as an important component in PSS to inform urban energy policy making.

GIS-based Planning Support System for Waste Stream and Algal Cultivation in Residential Construction

Technologies of alternative energy generation for residential communities using algal material, involving the construction of bioreactors with solar cells, storage of raw materials, construction of central plants for conversion of bio-fuels, and delivery systems to users, will have different design impacts at different scales. This paper intends to define basic design and planning parameters for residential construction in accordance with the scientific knowledge and technical criteria available regarding the potential for algal biofuel production and sustainable urban living. This paper suggests a framework of GIS-based planning support system for informing processes of data representation, performance assessment and design for the coupled algae cultivation and urban systems.

GIS-BIM Framework for Integrating Urban Systems, Waste Stream and Algal Cultivation in Residential Construction

Among alternative energy sources for residential buildings, algae technology has emerged as a promising option due to its closed-loop configuration and the ability to produce biofuel energy while reducing waste stream flow and capturing carbon. Furthermore, this technology has the potential of integrating resource and waste management, and can be complemented with other alternatives, such as photovoltaic, wind or fuel cells. This paper provides a framework for integrating information from geographic information systems, building information models, construction schedules, construction cost estimates, and constructability reviews. The integration is aimed at designing an algae-powered residential building environment at the level of urban neighbourhood, in which the algae technology is taken as a design intervention to promote energy performance and carbon reduction within the urban system. This framework couples the design intervention with impact simulations influenced by geographic contexts, construction considerations, and digital building technology. By extending the system boundary from a closed algae cultivation system to an open neighbourhood-scale urban environment, urban renewable resources such as energy, water, material and carbon flows are connected to the algae cultivation process. The framework would further advance the possibilities for sharing information among planners, architects, engineers and construction managers for innovative closed-loop sustainable energy systems in residential construction. This approach will address challenges such as cost, governmental incentives, regulatory barriers, or need of research and development that could overcome limitations for automating predesign, design, construction and facility management processes.

A GIS-Based Performance Metrics for Designing a Low Energy Urban Agriculture System

This chapter explores a GIS-based performance metric for designing a low energy agriculture system in the City of Atlanta. A framework of a planning support system (PSS) is proposed, which contains dimensions of representation, performance and scenario planning. The specific PSS demonstrated how a performance-oriented urban design decision model reorganizes fragmented information and turns them into useful representational layers, analyses of performance measures, and scenario planning for making design decisions.

Urban Form and Energy Resilient Strategies: A Case Study of the Manhattan Grid

The Manhattan grid is known as a testing ground of high-density urban development from the 19th century onward. Its urban form model and regulatory zoning mechanisms provide lessons for global cities in shaping their urban skylines. This chapter describes the physical form and processes that have established and characterize Manhattan’s grid, focusing on the grid as a generator and framework for growth. A performance-based urban energy model is used to examine the potential for energy self-sufficiency within the current urban form structure of the Manhattan grid. To make the city more energy resilient, a transformative approach is proposed that centers on the implementation of a performance-based model of urban design, which enhances urban resiliency at the neighborhood level. The concept of panarchy is applied to address complex systems problems such as energy resiliency in cities. To design an energy resilient urban system, it is important to define a community-level action and a medium-scale framework, which allow effective systems integration and coordination among stakeholders. The framework of urban design accommodates finer-scale, bottom-up eco-initiatives, which enable agile responses to unpredictable events, such as climate-induced disasters and environmental changes.