The role of nearly-zero energy buildings in the transition towards Post-Carbon Cities

Nowadays about 50% of global population lives in cities, responsible for about 70% of GHG emissions and by 2030 the urbanization rate will increase to over 75%. The paper analyses the new emerging concept of "Post-Carbon City" (PCC) and its main influencing factors regarding the building sector. It provides inspiration to re-think urban re-development patterns leading the way for new comprehensive approaches. In this new vision, energy and cost-effective retrofit of existing buildings cover a key role both in terms of saving potential and emission reduction towards nearly-zero energy building (nZEB) target. Moreover, in the building operational phase occupant behaviour has a strong impact on the real energy performance and its effect should be minimized. Therefore, these two issues should be mainly taken into account when energy city planning. Several mid/long-term scenarios analyses performed through quantitative energy demand forecasting tools concerning not only the building sector, but the whole energy system are the only opportunity to produce indications for an energy-oriented city planning. Finally, it highlights the necessity of new Advanced Input Modelling procedures to improve the effectiveness of measure recommendations derived through scenarios analysis. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.