Can Fast Urban Growth Be Low-carbon? Sub-Saharan Cities Towards New Territorial Strategies
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Date
2024
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AESOP
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa is now experiencing rapid urban growth. Considering that buildings account for most of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, guiding such an urban development towards low carbon is vital. With such an aim, this study focuses on the case of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, which is subject to a rigid and partially outdated urban development system and lacks a deliberate policy addressing sustainable urban growth. This study aims to demonstrate how, in the context of Lusaka, renewable technologies can contribute towards a net zero strategic territorial development. First, a systematic review of the integration of residential rooftop solar photovoltaics (RPVs) was undertaken; second, an in- depth purposive-sampled semi-structured interview with a local expert was conducted; third, the combination between renewable technologies and urban development was explored; finally, the systematic integration of RPVs based on the following four factors was proposed: (1) site coverage, (2) floor area ratio, (3) number of storeys, and (4) dwellers' density. Results show a range of feasible hybrid solutions for addressing Lusaka's electricity needs. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that on-site energy production can influence both horizontal and vertical dimensions of buildings of energy self-sufficient energy communities: the maximum number of storeys, the maximum number of dwellers and, consequently, the floor area ratio. This study aims to pave the way towards regulated, strategic and sustainable territorial development by illustrating an easily replicable strategy.
Keywords: Fast urbanisation; Territorial strategies; On-site energy production; Sub-Saharan Africa; Lusaka
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Game changer? Planning for just and sustainable urban regions, Paris, 8-12th July 2024
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CC-BY