The Zero Energy Ambition in Districts’ Planning : The Case study of Leuze in Belgium

Abstract

Since the last decades, the rapid urban growth, the scarcity of natural resources and land and the economic activities raise direct and indirect environmental impacts on modern cities. Europe intensifies its efforts towards the strategic energy planning with policy targets among its members. In this paper, we study the zero energy ambition and its application in districts as an integral part of the strategic urban planning of future agglomerations. A theoretical approach is introduced towards this direction to deal with the challenge of reducing the energy demand on city districts. A critical review among the sustainable and the zero energy criteria is performed in the case of Leuze (Belgium).