Towards a Sustainable Design: Integrating Spatial Planning with Energy Planning When Designing a University Campus

Abstract

Spatial planning and energy planning are two crucial topics related to each other, as both subjects have environmental, social, and economic benefits. Worldwide, few researchers have studied the integration of spatial planning with energy planning, however, in Jordan, this subject remained unexplored. This study aims to assess the sustainable planning practices that are implemented in small-scale projects, it explores the spatial issues that planners should consider to increase the integration of energy technologies into the planning process. A mixed methods approach is employed in data collection and analyses to enhance the accuracy and creditability of the findings. The spatial dimensions of energy planning which include analyzing the project’s master plan, evaluating the urban structure, and calculating energy production are used to assess the existing situation of Zarqa University in Jordan. Numerical and data analyses, site analyses, and field observations are conducted to achieve the research aim. Zarqa University was selected because it is the first Jordanian university that implements energy planning strategies when designing its campus. The study findings confirm the importance of integrating these two disciplines which contribute to achieving effective planning policies, it recommends replicating those strategies in other small projects to enhance their level of sustainability.