Planning sustainable in Chinese cities: dwelling types as a means to accessing potential improvements in energy efficiency

This paper discusses a combination of a dynamic thermal model (HTB2) and a regional energy and emission auditing tool (Energy and environmental prediction model) to analyze the energy efficiency potential of different design strategies, in new or renovated projects. The main aim of the model is to enable decision-makers and other sectors in built environment to predict and account for energy use within a region so that overall strategies and schemes could be made beforehand to reduce energy and carbon dioxide emissions. By applying it into a case study in Xi’an city, it demonstrates how this computer-based model package can be functional within local authorities as planning and policy tool to assist sustainable development, especially in guiding to achieve the energy efficiency demand requested by Chinese government.