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Cities4ZERO: Overcoming Carbon Lock-in in Municipalities through Smart Urban Transformation Processes

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  • Koldo Urrutia-Azcona

    (TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Building Technologies Unit. Parque Tecnológico de Vizcaya. Geldo street, Edif.700 - 48160 Derio, Spain
    University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), ENEDI Research Group. Alda. Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain)

  • Merit Tatar

    (Institute of Baltic Studies, research think-tank, Lai 30, 51005 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Patricia Molina-Costa

    (TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Building Technologies Unit. Parque Tecnológico de Vizcaya. Geldo street, Edif.700 - 48160 Derio, Spain)

  • Iván Flores-Abascal

    (University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), ENEDI Research Group. Alda. Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain)

Abstract

How can local authorities effectively address the decarbonization of urban environments in the long run? How would their interests and expertise be aligned into an integrated approach towards decarbonization? This paper delves into how strategic processes can help to integrate diverse disciplines and stakeholders when facing urban decarbonization and presents Cities4ZERO, a step-by-step methodology for local authorities, able to guide them through the process of developing the most appropriate plans and projects for an effective urban transition; all from an integrated, participatory and cross-cutting planning approach. For the development of the Cities4ZERO methodology, plans, projects, and strategic processes from five European cities that are part of the Smart Cities and Communities European Commission program have been monitored for 4 years, in close collaboration with local authorities, analyzing ad-hoc local strategic approaches to determine key success factors and barriers to be considered from their transitioning experiences. The study indicates that an iterative strategic approach and a project-oriented vision, combined with a stable institutional commitment, are opening a window of opportunity for cities to achieve effective decarbonization.

Suggested Citation

  • Koldo Urrutia-Azcona & Merit Tatar & Patricia Molina-Costa & Iván Flores-Abascal, 2020. "Cities4ZERO: Overcoming Carbon Lock-in in Municipalities through Smart Urban Transformation Processes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-30, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:9:p:3590-:d:351626
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mirakyan, Atom & De Guio, Roland, 2013. "Integrated energy planning in cities and territories: A review of methods and tools," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 289-297.
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    Cited by:

    1. Paolo Civiero & Giulia Turci & Beril Alpagut & Michal Kuzmic & Silvia Soutullo & María Nuria Sánchez & Oscar Seco & Silvia Bossi & Matthias Haase & Gilda Massa & Christoph Gollner, 2024. "Operational Insights and Future Potential of the Database for Positive Energy Districts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-58, February.
    2. Koldo Urrutia-Azcona & Elena Usobiaga-Ferrer & Pablo De Agustín-Camacho & Patricia Molina-Costa & Mauricia Benedito-Bordonau & Iván Flores-Abascal, 2021. "ENER-BI: Integrating Energy and Spatial Data for Cities’ Decarbonisation Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Kathelijne Bouw & Carina J. Wiekens & Casper Tigchelaar & André Faaij, 2023. "Involving Citizens in Heat Planning: A Participatory Process Design for Informed Decision-Making," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-36, January.
    4. Kobashi, Takuro & Zusman, Eric & Taniguchi, Makoto & Yarime, Masaru, 2025. "Facilitating a carbon neutral transition in Kyoto: Initiatives on rooftop photovoltaics integrated with electric vehicles," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    5. Koldo Urrutia-Azcona & Patricia Molina-Costa & Iñigo Muñoz & David Maya-Drysdale & Carolina Garcia-Madruga & Iván Flores-Abascal, 2021. "Towards an Integrated Approach to Urban Decarbonisation in Practice: The Case of Vitoria-Gasteiz," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-20, August.
    6. Merit Tatar & Tarmo Kalvet & Marek Tiits, 2020. "Cities4ZERO Approach to Foresight for Fostering Smart Energy Transition on Municipal Level," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-30, July.

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