THINKING BEYOND ZERO-ENERGY BUILDINGS: INVESTIGATING SUSTAINABILITY ASPECTS OF TWO RESIDENTIAL URBAN FORMS IN UAE

Most of the debate about sustainable mass housing concentrates on energy performance on the building scale with increasing attention devoted to zero-energy experiences. This research aims to jump over this focus and to rather investigate on the influence of urban form on energy efficiency of neighborhoods. This research has investigated sustainability attributes of urban forms in two neighborhoods in Al Ain city in Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE. The first one represents the conventional urban forms based on the neighborhood theory; while the other represents a new 'claimed to be sustainable' design experience. Al Ain city has been selected as a locus for this investigation as it is currently considered as a model for green/sustainable cities in UAE. In order to address the research problem, and through literature review about the common principles of sustainable urban form, a conceptual framework has been initiated in order to facilitate the assessment of the urban forms of the two selected urban communities. This conceptual framework encompassed the following principles: density, accessibility, choice, mobility, mixed use, adaptability, local autonomy, and environmental quality. Some measurable indicators have been developed for each of these principles. The results of the analysis of the two conventional and 'sustainable' case studies have divulged positive and negative aspects relevant to urban forms, which have in turn revealed the potentials for actions that could shape a better future path towards realizing sustainable urban form of local urban communities in UAE.