On July 7, 2026, researchers led by CSH's Rafael Prieto-Curiel revealed the importance of city shapes in optimizing energy and water use as urbanization continues to rise. As cities are expected to house 70% of the global population by 2050, understanding urban morphology is essential for sustainability.
The Impact of Urban Morphology on Energy Use
According to the International Energy Agency, cities consume approximately 75% of global energy and produce 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation is a significant contributor to this energy demand, closely linked to the shape of the city. The recent study published in Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science analyzed various city layouts to determine how they affect travel distances.
The research identified five distinct urban layouts: the pyramid city, needle city, pancake city, bowl city, and ring city. Each shape influences the distance citizens travel, which in turn impacts energy consumption.
Benefits of Compact and Pyramid-Shaped Cities
The findings indicate that centrally dense, pyramid-shaped cities significantly reduce travel distances. For instance, cities like Vienna exhibit an average travel distance of 10 kilometers (6 miles), while Dresden, with its more elongated shape, averages 13 kilometers (8 miles), resulting in commutes that are 30% longer.
Moderately pyramid-shaped profiles can decrease travel distances by 20%-25% compared to flat layouts. This reduction is attributed to the concentration of taller buildings in the center, bringing origin and destination points closer together.
Urban Planning for Sustainable Growth
As urban centers expand, especially in regions like Africa, where projections suggest 40% of the world's population will reside by 2100, the need for informed urban planning becomes critical. The shape of cities not only influences energy demand but also affects access to essential resources like clean water.
Previous research by Prieto-Curiel highlighted that sprawling cities could leave 220 million people without access to clean water and sanitation by 2050. Understanding city morphology is therefore vital for creating equitable, resilient, and sustainable urban environments.
For practical applications, the research team, in collaboration with data visualization expert Liuhuaying Yang, developed an interactive tool called Cities Morphology. This resource allows users to adjust various parameters and observe the resulting changes in travel distances, making it a valuable asset for city planners and policymakers.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Phys.org. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
