Incorporating transport energy into urban planning

Transport energy resources are largely finite, subject to constraints and a major cause of pollution. Transport-energy planning is not currently included in traditional transport and urban planning. However, transport energy is related to both land use and transport systems therefore transport-energy policy has the ability to positively influence urban design. A new tool has been created, the transport energy specification, which is intended for use within existing local government urban planning frameworks. In order to use this tool, a transport-energy limit is first defined by planning authorities that sets a quantifiable design boundary for urban and transport system development. The transport energy specification is then used to ensure development occurs within the defined design boundary. A case study was performed to demonstrate the required process to achieve a transport energy specification for an urban region. Karlsruhe, Germany was selected for the case study and the results showed that a minimal 0.97 MJ of transport energy per person per week was required, the equivalent energy a 60 W light bulb uses in four and a half hours. This was largely due to high residential density, many activities located within the residential area and the ease and safety of active transport (cycling and walking).