Built environment and residential blocks carbon emissions: a study using advanced metering infrastructure data.

Area of Science:

• Urban planning
• Environmental science
• Public health

Background:

• Urban residential blocks (RBs) face significant emissions reduction pressure.
• Built environmental factors (BEF) are key drivers of residential block carbon emissions (RBCE).
• Balancing carbon reduction with resident health benefits is crucial for sustainable urban development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reveal the driving mechanisms of BEF on RBCE in micro-scale RBs.
• To explore planning strategies for simultaneous carbon reduction and health benefits.
• To provide a scientific basis for low-carbon RB planning and renewal.

Main Methods:

• Spatial statistical analysis
• High-precision machine learning models
• Spatio-temporal evolution analysis
• Spatial autocorrelation analysis

Main Results:

• RBCE, RBCE intensity, and average household emissions fluctuated, with a 5.7% overall increase from 2021-2023.
• High emissions areas were spatially concentrated, with a significant positive spatial autocorrelation and a west-south clustering pattern.
• Land area, green space ratio, and land use mixing degree were identified as key BEF influencing RBCE.

Conclusions:

• Strictly controlling land use expansion, improving green space ratio, and promoting functional combination are recommended planning strategies.
• Future research should incorporate building type heterogeneity and 3D morphological indicators.
• The study provides a scientific basis for low-carbon RB planning that balances carbon reduction with health benefits.