Study: Density Better Than Retrofits for Emissions

Just because a study says density is more effective than energy system retrofits in reducing emissions, doesn't mean that we have to settle for just one.

1 minute read

January 23, 2017, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


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Adha Ghazali / Shutterstock

"Densifying cities could cut emissions more than doing energy retrofits on buildings," reports Ben Adler.

Those findings are included in a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The researchers projected emissions from buildings under different potential urban densities between now and 2050. They found that denser development patterns lead to lower emissions because people live and work in smaller units that consume less energy. Attached buildings are also more efficient for heating and cooling.

Thursday, January 19, 2017 in Grist

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

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