The Carbon Impact Of Shared Space In Urban High Density Residential Projects

Abstract

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has become
a controversial topic that must be weighed seriously. Regarding
the carbon emission of high urban density residential projects,
construction elements and a building’s heating/cooling energy
consumption have been the primary benchmarks for evaluating
and controlling carbon emissions. It has been proposed that
public open spaces within buildings have a considerable negating
effect on carbon emission both at the construction and operating
phases. However, shared space, such as an open urban-oriented
ground floor or public/private balconies can provide amenities for
residents decrease the dependence on motorized, carbon
producing, vehicles. This study will consider the open, and urbanassociated,
ground floor as an example to analyze the physical and
social appearance effects on carbon emission in high urban
density residential projects. By obtaining the data from software
simulation and user surveys, the study will provide clear evidence
that well-designed shared spaces contribute to reducing carbon
emission. The study shows that shared spaces in residential
projects play a significant role in carbon reduction. By changing
the social/work patterns of the residents, the decrease in total
carbon emission is 3 fold the increase of the building carbon
footprint caused by the redesign of the envelope. When viewed
over the life cycle of the building, the savings increases to 20 times
greater savings of carbon. This process provides a valuable predesign
reference for future residential buildings. By shifting the
sustainable perspective from energy savings to carbon emissions.