Early energy simulation of urban plans and building forms

Cities play a major role in more efficient use of energy sources, deployment of renewables, energy efficiency and successful implementation of climate policies. Energy planning in cities and energy performance assessment of new settlements is a new research area that needs efforts from various disciplines. This study introduces a method for energy performance assessment of a new development area in the planning phase. Energy performance of an urban plan designed for a development area of Milas is assesssed by using several building parameters. Obtained results showed that building parameters, urban forms can cause significant energy reductions and the building parameters and urban forms that perform better can be proposed to urban planners, architects, and construction engineers. This study clearly underlines the importance of early energy performance assessment of settlements, neighborhoods and urban areas.