For #COP26: 26 climate actions cities should be taking, in order to make more resilient in face of climate change. in no particular order - just strategies I think cities should be adopting in order to both improve livability while adapting to realities of a warming world. 
1. passivhaus mandates
PH is great, I've advocated it since training a decade ago. it’s an energy standard that ensures durability, comfort and resilience. It’s applicable for educational buildings, multifamily, offices, hospitals, museums, archives
passivhaustrust.org.uk/what_is_passiv…
PH is great, I've advocated it since training a decade ago. it’s an energy standard that ensures durability, comfort and resilience. It’s applicable for educational buildings, multifamily, offices, hospitals, museums, archives
passivhaustrust.org.uk/what_is_passiv…
Unlike the EU, there are no jurisdictions in the US that mandate energy requirements anywhere close to something like passivhaus. PH also provides fresh, filtered ventilation: critical during wildfires, in polluted environs. could be defense against airborne diseases like COVID
Cities can lead by requiring their own buildings (and retrofits!) meet passivhaus, as well as offer massive incentives if they’re not willing to mandate it, such as significantly reduced entitlement fees or expedited permitting.
theurbanist.org/2020/07/22/sea…
theurbanist.org/2020/07/22/sea…
2. sponge cities
concept came out of china in 2013 due to flooding & costs for repair. blue-green infrastructure, unsealing surfaces/streets and decoupling stormwater systems from sewer systems. incredibly effective at reducing urban heat island effect
concept came out of china in 2013 due to flooding & costs for repair. blue-green infrastructure, unsealing surfaces/streets and decoupling stormwater systems from sewer systems. incredibly effective at reducing urban heat island effect
3. circular construction
a new way of thinking about systems – closed loops, upcycyling, recycling, design for disassembly. reducing amount of waste and consumption of natural resources. Opp for massive $ savings globally.
highly rec @BLOXHUBdk report: cms.creativedenmark.com/media/Creative…
a new way of thinking about systems – closed loops, upcycyling, recycling, design for disassembly. reducing amount of waste and consumption of natural resources. Opp for massive $ savings globally.
highly rec @BLOXHUBdk report: cms.creativedenmark.com/media/Creative…
4. mass timber
I’ve been a proponent since I was working with it in Freiburg in 2003. Potential for reduced embodied CO2, biophilia, prefabrication. a big component of new EU Bauhaus, EU cities adopting as climate protection strategy. pairs w/ passivhaus: treehugger.com/mass-timber-an…
I’ve been a proponent since I was working with it in Freiburg in 2003. Potential for reduced embodied CO2, biophilia, prefabrication. a big component of new EU Bauhaus, EU cities adopting as climate protection strategy. pairs w/ passivhaus: treehugger.com/mass-timber-an…
5. single stair mid-rise
the basic building block of sustainable urbanism. few US jurisdictions where legal. However, key to unlocking things we don’t get in typical US mid-rise: family sized units, light on multiple sides, cross ventilation.
a thread:
the basic building block of sustainable urbanism. few US jurisdictions where legal. However, key to unlocking things we don’t get in typical US mid-rise: family sized units, light on multiple sides, cross ventilation.
a thread:
https://twitter.com/holz_bau/status/1384664407662157825?s=20
6. active solar protection
in germany, we had exterior roll down shades that kept our home incredibly cool - even on near 100F/38C days. however, there is virtually no active solar protection industry in the US. as the world warms – architects and developers will need...
in germany, we had exterior roll down shades that kept our home incredibly cool - even on near 100F/38C days. however, there is virtually no active solar protection industry in the US. as the world warms – architects and developers will need...
to take a more *active* (ha!) role in keeping solar gains out of buildings. Vienna is leading on this initiative, offering large subsidies to apartment dwellers and building owners to install solar protection
a thread:
a thread:
https://twitter.com/holz_bau/status/1408176623858245635?s=20
7. e-bike/e-cargo bike subsidies
Every city should have e-cargo bike subsidies! Cargo bikes move goods, help families ditch cars, and are much more space efficient than cars and vans. 1 km of roadway repaving, or thousands ditching cars? easy choice: usingrenewables.blogspot.com/2018/07/berlin…
Every city should have e-cargo bike subsidies! Cargo bikes move goods, help families ditch cars, and are much more space efficient than cars and vans. 1 km of roadway repaving, or thousands ditching cars? easy choice: usingrenewables.blogspot.com/2018/07/berlin…
8. recompacting city
As cities grow, can sprawl, or prioritize brownfield redev, recompaction through intensification & aufstockungen (vertical additions). Think 15 min cities.
Good for businesses, good for CO2 footprints, good for walkability.
theurbanist.org/2014/07/24/auf…
As cities grow, can sprawl, or prioritize brownfield redev, recompaction through intensification & aufstockungen (vertical additions). Think 15 min cities.
Good for businesses, good for CO2 footprints, good for walkability.
theurbanist.org/2014/07/24/auf…
9. radical rethink of open space
A major component of livability is access to green & open space. in US cities, we have been incredibly reticent to turn over street parking or right of ways for the public to enjoy. there is almost nothing greater than car-free streets & plazas...
A major component of livability is access to green & open space. in US cities, we have been incredibly reticent to turn over street parking or right of ways for the public to enjoy. there is almost nothing greater than car-free streets & plazas...
especially ones that were formerly parking lots.
they’re great for livability, reducing cars & assoc. noise, and improving open space in dense areas of the city. an opp for more green (trees > street parking!), more dining, more socializing.
more city.
theurbanist.org/2018/05/04/tim…
they’re great for livability, reducing cars & assoc. noise, and improving open space in dense areas of the city. an opp for more green (trees > street parking!), more dining, more socializing.
more city.
theurbanist.org/2018/05/04/tim…
10. e-cargo and cargo bike logistics
Non-polluting, fast & easy logistics should be prioritized in urban areas. Cargo bikes can play an outsized role in last mile solutions. Plus they’re incredibly affordable v. cargo vans, gas and parking tickets:
theguardian.com/world/2021/aug…
Non-polluting, fast & easy logistics should be prioritized in urban areas. Cargo bikes can play an outsized role in last mile solutions. Plus they’re incredibly affordable v. cargo vans, gas and parking tickets:
theguardian.com/world/2021/aug…
11. eliminate parking
no-brainer. parking req'ts increase housing costs, VMTs, & CO2 emissions. We should be reducing – or better yet – eliminating parking, esp. near transit. no net increase in parking spaces!
Cities need a ‘grand bargain’ on parking: vimeo.com/108884155
no-brainer. parking req'ts increase housing costs, VMTs, & CO2 emissions. We should be reducing – or better yet – eliminating parking, esp. near transit. no net increase in parking spaces!
Cities need a ‘grand bargain’ on parking: vimeo.com/108884155
12. productive cities
Zoning in the US is all about segregation. historically, by race. today, by housing type, income – even use. But in densifying & re-compacting cities, there are ample opportunities for uses to be combined synergistically...
Zoning in the US is all about segregation. historically, by race. today, by housing type, income – even use. But in densifying & re-compacting cities, there are ample opportunities for uses to be combined synergistically...
apartments over industrial uses, workers housing over agricultural facilities.
Production and the city go hand in hand.
Also opp to incorporate microzoning, circularity. Brussels is leading way on this: bma.brussels/app/uploads/20…
Production and the city go hand in hand.
Also opp to incorporate microzoning, circularity. Brussels is leading way on this: bma.brussels/app/uploads/20…
13. energetic retrofits
existing buildings are energy hogs, with high CO2 emissions. Energetic retrofits are opportunity to bring them to modern standards, improve durability, futureproof for climate shocks. These are rehabs improving thermal envelope (mold eradication!)...
existing buildings are energy hogs, with high CO2 emissions. Energetic retrofits are opportunity to bring them to modern standards, improve durability, futureproof for climate shocks. These are rehabs improving thermal envelope (mold eradication!)...
eliminating fossil fuel heating, improving comfort. Also bringing in ventilation: good for occupants, wildfire protection etc.
Innsbruck’s Sinfonia program showed factor 10 reduction in consumption possible, 40-50% primary energy savings easy. negawatts!
sinfonia-smartcities.eu/en/demo-city/i…
Innsbruck’s Sinfonia program showed factor 10 reduction in consumption possible, 40-50% primary energy savings easy. negawatts!
sinfonia-smartcities.eu/en/demo-city/i…
14. fossil fuel bans
cities needed to get off fossil fuels decades ago. especially need to eliminate from buildings: huge CO2 emissions, unhealthy. Seattle passed partial natural gas ban – but must expand to existing buildings, cooking.
pair w/ retrofits! kuow.org/stories/seattl…
cities needed to get off fossil fuels decades ago. especially need to eliminate from buildings: huge CO2 emissions, unhealthy. Seattle passed partial natural gas ban – but must expand to existing buildings, cooking.
pair w/ retrofits! kuow.org/stories/seattl…
15. decarbonized building materials
many building materials have incredibly high CO2 footprints. local materials can significantly reduce them (wood, stone in lieu of concrete!)
personal fave: prefab compressed straw panels, like those by @Ecococon:
many building materials have incredibly high CO2 footprints. local materials can significantly reduce them (wood, stone in lieu of concrete!)
personal fave: prefab compressed straw panels, like those by @Ecococon:
Are lengthy and antiquated building codes set up to rapidly allow these sorts of products in commercial & multifamily?
a number of really incredible projects in CH/DE/FR incorporating mass timber & prefab straw panels – some even hitting passivhaus.
a number of really incredible projects in CH/DE/FR incorporating mass timber & prefab straw panels – some even hitting passivhaus.
https://twitter.com/holz_bau/status/1452071158354874370?s=20
16. non-market & social housing
no secret i’m a fan of housing models built on solidarity, cooperation, intentionality.
we need financing & zoning options, for a massive amount of non-market housing: CPOs, mietshaeuser syndikats, CLTs, coops, LPHAs, etc
theurbanist.org/category/baugr…
no secret i’m a fan of housing models built on solidarity, cooperation, intentionality.
we need financing & zoning options, for a massive amount of non-market housing: CPOs, mietshaeuser syndikats, CLTs, coops, LPHAs, etc
theurbanist.org/category/baugr…
17. ecodistricts
the US seems incapable of developing livable, walkable, car-light/optional neighborhoods around transit v. cities like Utrecht, Vienna. Seattle metro has been especially egregious at this.
This was focus of my talk in montreal (thread):
the US seems incapable of developing livable, walkable, car-light/optional neighborhoods around transit v. cities like Utrecht, Vienna. Seattle metro has been especially egregious at this.
This was focus of my talk in montreal (thread):
https://twitter.com/holz_bau/status/1447964293509500934?s=20
18. zero emissions construction sites
Building sites are noisy, dirty, and produce air pollution. Electric and fossil-fuel free equipment are better for local residents and workers alike. pairs well w/ mass timber & passivhaus.
nordics pioneering this: bbc.com/future/article…
Building sites are noisy, dirty, and produce air pollution. Electric and fossil-fuel free equipment are better for local residents and workers alike. pairs well w/ mass timber & passivhaus.
nordics pioneering this: bbc.com/future/article…
19. car sewers to car-free streets
cities need to prioritize sustainable mobility & e-logistics to meet climate goals. eliminating car lanes is win for climate, livability, safety.
transformations are unbelievable. here’s brussels – note safety & silence:
cities need to prioritize sustainable mobility & e-logistics to meet climate goals. eliminating car lanes is win for climate, livability, safety.
transformations are unbelievable. here’s brussels – note safety & silence:
https://twitter.com/BicycleDutch/status/1450366699748872192?s=20
20. low/zero emissions zones
clean air strategy for cities, an opportunity to rethink sustainable mobility. These are zones where walking/biking/transit prioritized. Only low or zero emissions vehicles allowed. Pedestrian zones, superblocks; VMTs reduced:
c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/How-…
clean air strategy for cities, an opportunity to rethink sustainable mobility. These are zones where walking/biking/transit prioritized. Only low or zero emissions vehicles allowed. Pedestrian zones, superblocks; VMTs reduced:
c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/How-…
21. right to repair
Throwaway culture is rampant. we throw away over 10 times as much stuff as did decades ago. R2R is an opp to rectify this. Reduce e-waste. Extend longevity of products. Close material loops. also a key component of circularity
nytimes.com/wirecutter/blo…
Throwaway culture is rampant. we throw away over 10 times as much stuff as did decades ago. R2R is an opp to rectify this. Reduce e-waste. Extend longevity of products. Close material loops. also a key component of circularity
nytimes.com/wirecutter/blo…
22. safe & connected bike network
bikes and e-bikes are far superior on climate action than EVs. cities must provide safe, inclusive, convenient routes – for uptake.
look to paris – massive transformation/drop in car ownership in just a few years: bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
bikes and e-bikes are far superior on climate action than EVs. cities must provide safe, inclusive, convenient routes – for uptake.
look to paris – massive transformation/drop in car ownership in just a few years: bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
23. climate change adaptable urban planning
rotterdam recently updated enviro/spatial planning policies to prioritize climate change adaptation. our zoning & building codes don't produce climate resilient buildings or neighborhoods. it’s time we looked at correcting this!
rotterdam recently updated enviro/spatial planning policies to prioritize climate change adaptation. our zoning & building codes don't produce climate resilient buildings or neighborhoods. it’s time we looked at correcting this!
24. life cycle Assessments for planning consents
LCA as component of planning permission. prioritize decarbonized buildings/ecodistricts.
tying to planning consent could be an interesting opp to push for deep green buildings. london seems headed there: london.gov.uk/what-we-do/pla…
LCA as component of planning permission. prioritize decarbonized buildings/ecodistricts.
tying to planning consent could be an interesting opp to push for deep green buildings. london seems headed there: london.gov.uk/what-we-do/pla…
25. open building
buildings should be flexible (accommodate commercial or residential), adaptable. designed for disassembly.
open building movement in NL proposes exactly this. also incorporating mass timber, circularity, affordability. steal these ideas!
openbuilding.co/manifesto
buildings should be flexible (accommodate commercial or residential), adaptable. designed for disassembly.
open building movement in NL proposes exactly this. also incorporating mass timber, circularity, affordability. steal these ideas!
openbuilding.co/manifesto
26. doughnut economics
i’m a huge fan of @kateraworth’s.
i put this one last, as it does connect all of the others. social and ecological boundaries matter, and doughnut economics take them into acount.
raworth’s TED talk on topic is worth it:
i’m a huge fan of @kateraworth’s.
i put this one last, as it does connect all of the others. social and ecological boundaries matter, and doughnut economics take them into acount.
raworth’s TED talk on topic is worth it:
the city of amsterdam is incorporating circularity and doughnut economics into their city policies: amsterdam.nl/en/policy/sust…
we should all be running with this at the forefront of city planning and budgeting
we should all be running with this at the forefront of city planning and budgeting
cities are ripe for action on these issues. but climate action *plans* are not enough.
cities need funding. they need policies and leaders who will implement these plans.
who will champion hitting the targets and goals of these plans, preferably years before target dates.
cities need funding. they need policies and leaders who will implement these plans.
who will champion hitting the targets and goals of these plans, preferably years before target dates.
i don’t know if COP26 will result in meaningful changes – but I do know that cities will lead the way on livability and climate action.
it's the only shot we have.
LFG!
it's the only shot we have.
LFG!
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