Comparison of strategies improving local energy self-sufficiency at neighborhood Scale. Case study in Yverdon-les-Bains (Switzerland)

Within a context of growing efforts to develop sustainability strategies, one of the main challenges is promoting value creation while using fewer resources. In this perspective, how can we design attractive urban neighborhoods generating endogenous economic activity and fostering socio-cultural dynamics, while moving towards local energy self-sufficiency? Answering that question requires major changes in the way we consider energy in the construction sector, by thinking beyond the scale of a single building and by including a greater number of design parameters. Filling this gap in current research, the Symbiotic Districts project examines dimensions influencing energy self-sufficiency at neighborhood scale by integrating parameters related to buildings, infrastructure, mobility, food, goods and services. The present paper analyzes the results of a case study on an urban sector in the city of Yverdon-les- Bains (Switzerland). Taking lifestyles as a starting point, the project explores three scenarios (technological, behavioral and symbiotic) for the future development of this neighborhood for 2035. The scenarios test different design strategies related to industrial symbioses, production, storage, transportation or urban agriculture. In order to calculate an estimated global balance, an energy flow analysis allows the assessment and comparison of the energy performance of each scenario. In parallel, an urban form adapted to the proposed vision evaluates how architectural and urban design is likely to foster the necessary behavior changes towards the expected energy turnaround.