City-Level Decoupling-Case Studies

CITY-LEVEL DECOUPLING: URBAN RESOURCE FLOWS AND THE GOVERNANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSITIONS

The delicate balance between maximizing energy efficiency and sustainable design versus project development costs is an area that has received much attention during design and construction of Songdo. Project funding consists of US$35 billion borrowed by Gale International from the domestic South Korean financial market, and US$100 million of Gale’s own funds. More than US$10 billion has been invested thus far, and approximately 100 buildings have been completed or are currently under construction.

Songdo skyline viewed from the golf course

Songdo will set new standards in high-tech, green urban development. The following aspects of sustainability have been incorporated into the design of the city: Energy • Of Songdo’s design goals, energy efficiency is the most significant. Energy efficiency strategies implemented in the building’s design phase have a significant impact on carbon emissions and energy consumption during the operational lifetime of a building. • Homes and offices use the latest materials and green technology, including water-cooled air- conditioning, solar panels, glazing that maximises natural light and retains heat in winter, and external and internal shading devices to reduce the need for mechanical air cooling. • All homes and offices have master switches to turn off air conditioning, heating and non- essential electrical appliances when they are unoccupied. Computers are being built into the houses, streets and offices as part of a wide area network.

• Electricity use is expected to be 14% less than a typical city of the same size.

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