Transcript Tony_Norton_Green_Infrastucturex

Why Green is Better
An overview of green infrastructure
in the built environment
BTG Green Infrastructure event, Tremough, 6th November 2012
Tony Norton
Head of the Centre for Energy and the Environment
The Centre for Energy and Environment
Climate change and energy policy
• Audits of local energy use
• Audit of greenhouse gas emissions
• Support for carbon reduction strategies
• National carbon and energy policy drivers
• Local evidence bases and wording
Sustainable buildings
• Advice on sustainable design and policy
• BREEAM assessments / advice
• Building Energy Certification
• Day lighting simulations and calculations
• Energy auditing
Built environment performance monitoring
• Monitoring of building services performance
• Ventilation measurement and CFD prediction
• Acoustic design advice for buildings
• Measurement of the acoustic quality of buildings
Sustainable transport
• Local air quality assessments and modelling
• Low carbon transport technology and fuels
• Carbon reduction strategies
Renewable and low carbon energy systems
• Renewable energy feasibility studies
• Technology evaluation
• Low carbon development policy and advice
• District heating and ESCos
Waste
• Energy from waste
• Waste studies
Research and knowledge transfer
• Climate change and adaptation
• Knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs)
• Bespoke research
Green Infrastructure
in the urban environment
The garden city movement of the
early 20th Century identified many
benefits of green space in urban
areas.
Welwyn (top) has more green
space, trees and larger gaps
between buildings than Plymouth
(bottom).
The Garden City Movement has
shown that there are psychological
and physiological benefits of this
arrangement.
Source: Google Earth. Photos at same resolution.
Urban areas are
impervious to water
Urban areas are
typically ¾
impermeable surfaces.
Runoff increases from
10% to >50%.
This increases flood
peaks by up to x6.
Green infrastructure and heat islands
Cities have their own microclimate
and are warmer than rural areas.
What effect will this have on our
energy usage?
UHI of London as
high as 9oC
Changing UK Temperatures
Max-min temperature London 1989
Source: CIBSE
Changing UK Temperatures
Max-min temperature London 1989
Max-min temperature London 2080
Source: CIBSE
Plants in and on buildings
The transpiration of water
from plants has a net
cooling effect on
buildings.
Courtyards can be
used to trap ‘coolth’
from plants.
Reduced surface
temperatures and lower UHI.
Less overheating in buildings,
improved human health and
well being.
St Loyes Care home, design by Gale and Snowden.
CFD image of planted courtyard
Cities of the Future
Which ?
Who decides, individuals or government ?
Who informs the discussion ?
We do !
Why Green is Better
An overview of green infrastructure
in the built environment
BTG Green Infrastructure event, Tremough, 6th November 2012
Tony Norton
Head of the Centre for Energy and the Environment