Urban form and building energy performance in Shanghai neighborhoods

Abstract

Urban form is considered as two different concepts here: one as geometry and the other as a complex system. This paper uses simulation experiments to test the density and energy performance relationship in nine Shanghai neighborhoods, with the urban form defined as a complex system. The results show a complex pattern. When density is only related to geometry, the density seems to negatively impact building energy use intensity, following the widely perceived conclusion from previously studies. But when density is related to neighborhood typology, which determines many energy-related parameters, the relationship may be totally different. The study suggests that energy performance research of urban form at the neighborhood scale has to consider the historical, social and cultural contexts, which could lead to more comprehensive low energy and low carbon urban policies for Shanghai.