The aim of ERP_hoch3 is to develop transferable recommendations for energy-planning based on the basic research on existing spatial steering instruments with energy relevance in three Austrian agglomerations (Vienna, Graz and Feldkirch-Vorderland). The case studies focus on newly developed and existing districts (neighbourhoods), along infrastructure and public transport corridors as well as inter-communal potentials for renewable energy sources. The synthesis of these territorial energy dimensions discusses and designs agglomerations as “Smart City energy Regions”.

 Problem description and initial situation

In Austria the “integrated spatial energy planning” exists more as an idea than a field-tested toolbox at the moment. To develop enhanced strategy solutions a range of spatial steering instruments with energy relevance has to be analysed. This analysis has to include more than the “standard” spatial planning instruments like communication and awareness raising, financial aspects as well as market activating, location development and procedural modes of actions:

• Focus 1: Districts (neighbourhoods)
  How to take decisions on energy sources for districts and how to implement them spatially and make them legally binding? Which instruments and tools are needed to establish measurable implementation steps in districts (existing stock and new constructions) of citywide energy requirements?
• Focus 2: Public transport corridors (neighbourhoods surrounding stations and stops)
  Which decisive role play regional infrastructure- and public transport corridors within the densification according to energy-efficiency criteria? What would an intelligent energy system for a “smart city energy region” be?
• Focus 3: Inter-communal potentials for renewable energy sources
  Which inter-communal models to activate renewable energy sources significantly do exist?

 Research goals and methods

The main objective of the scientific research are the development of transferable recommendations of spatial energy planning for new and existing district's (neighbourhoods), for neighbourhoods along public transport corridors (surroundings for stops and stations) and for the inter-communal potential of renewable energy sources. The methodology includes combined methods of the quantitative and qualitative empirical research (desk research, energy-governance analysis, structured interviews, comparative use of rating and simulation tools, multilayer analysis, process network synthesis, spatial potential analysis, visioneering) to debate and discuss the targeted state based on the description of the actual state.

Expertise and Results

The results are three action guidelines (publications) to disseminate spatial energy planning solutions focused on districts (neighbourhoods), neighbourhoods along public transport corridors and to the inter-communal potential of renewable energy sources. The synthesis of these different spatial-energy dimensions defines a scope of intervention for the Austrian agglomerations as a "Smart City Energy Region" and displays this in an overall report.

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