Urban Energy Districts: Innovation, Sustainability, and Sharing for a Solidary Future
A special issue of Urban Science (ISSN 2413-8851).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 1342
Special Issue Editors
Interests: zero-energy buildings; building simulation; climatic data for energy applications; cost-optimal methodology; energy performance of buildings; energy certification of buildings; building envelope; EPBD; solar energy
Interests: sustainability; urban design; integrated retrofit of buildings; sustainable and inclusive neighborhoods; participatory design; seismic and energy retrofit; social housing; students housing; green urban design
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Urban energy districts constitute innovative collaboration models where citizens, businesses, and local entities unite to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and bolster energy resilience, covering technological, spatial, regulatory, financial, legal, social, economic, health and wellness perspectives. Within an urban energy district, citizens can work together with politicians, R&I stakeholders, industry, investors, and healthcare professionals in order to outline possible approaches towards the implementation of a positive, sustainable, inclusive and healthy urban energy district.
Urban energy districts leverage local renewable sources like solar and wind power to generate and distribute energy among users, often facilitated by advanced digital platforms. Their aim is not only to reduce energy costs and enhance energy security but also to promote equitable energy access, including solutions for addressing energy poverty.
An urban energy district combines the built environment, mobility, productive and economic activities, and social and health services to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create added value for citizens. Urban energy districts require integration between economic, residential and public buildings (such as hospitals, care homes, etc.), users and the energy network, mobility and IT systems.
Being part of an urban energy district also offers a tangible opportunity to contribute to local regeneration and promote more inclusive, sustainable, healthy and resilient spaces. Furthermore, urban energy districts represent fertile ground for developing and testing innovative solutions, based on the specificities of the historical, social, and environmental context.
This Special Issue aims to analyse examples and case studies and provide design guidelines and technological solutions for urban energy districts that integrate technological innovation and transversal aspects such as sustainability, wellness and economic and social impact. It will thus cover the following:
- Active buildings and energy exchange in urban energy districts.
- The role of urban energy districts in mitigating energy poverty and improving wellness and social inclusion.
- Urban transformation for the integration of energy districts.
- Active buildings, collaborative energy sharing and new living spaces.
- From existing buildings to smart, inclusive, healthy and energy-efficient spaces.
- The role of hospital buildings in the creation of urban energy districts.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Energy sharing.
- Nearly zero urban energy district.
- Zero Emission Buildings in urban energy districts.
- Urban energy districts: promoting the health and well-being of citizens.
- Green hospitals and energy districts.
- Cost-optimal net zero urban energy districts.
- Cost and benefit analysis and scenario analysis.
- Converting clusters of existing buildings into urban energy districts.
- Self-consumption configurations.
- Urban energy solutions and transitions.
- Technological solutions for urban energy districts.
- Methodologies and strategies for the design of innovative, sustainable, healthy, and inclusive urban energy districts.
- Social aspects of an urban energy district.
- Energy districts for all.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Giovanni Murano
Dr. Maria Grazia Giardinelli
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- urban energy districts
- integrated approach
- urban sustainability
- energy sharing
- renewable energy
- active buildings
- ZEB (zero energy building)
- NZEB (nearly zero energy building)
- hospital buildings
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