ABSTRACT
From Hausmann’s boulevards in Paris to the informal settlements of Kibera and the skyscrapers of Asian megacities, much of a city’s character is determined by its buildings. These structures are the location for the majority of urban activities, such as work and leisure, and they correspondingly represent the origins and destinations of most urban journeys. It is estimated that 60 per cent of global energy demand originates from buildings (IEA 2010a). Improving the energy performance of buildings is therefore an important part of any overall plan to enhance the performance of an urban energy system.
