A geospatial approach of downscaling urban energy consumption density in mega-city Dhaka, Bangladesh

• Published in: Urban climate 2018-12, Vol.26, p.10-30
• Main Authors: Sikder, S.K., Nagarajan, M., Kar, S., Koetter, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Energy consumption density; Geo-spatial modelling; GIS; Spatial Analysis; Urban energy
• ISSN: 2212-0955; 2212-0955
• DOI: 10.1016/j.uclim.2018.08.004

Lack of energy consumption data limits resource optimized urban structure and energy planning in developing countries like Bangladesh. Focusing on mega-city Dhaka as a case, this study applies a geospatial approach of using multi-source national and regional datasets and visual analytics to downscale and estimate energy consumption at a local scale (such as ward and gridcell). The energy consumption density (ECD), as a measure of end energy use in a unit area, was estimated and mapped by linking building floorspace data with residents’ energy use indicators such as per capita energy consumption, household energy expenditure, and mobility (transportation) pattern. This study also evaluated the ECD modelling outputs, and their sensitivity to distance from central business district (CBD) and total building floorspace. Results found a positive correlation between the residential building floorspace and estimated ECD. Regression and sensitivity analysis also identified and mapped significant spatial clusters and outliers in estimated ECD pattern of Dhaka city. This approach and methodology could help similar cities in other developing countries adopt and implement energy focused urban development. •Method for energy consumption density (ECD) estimation and mapping•Adopted regression analytics to capture spatial variability of ECD•Sensitivity analysis and visualization based on prediction error•Identified statistically significant spatial clusters and outliers in ECD•Geographical units (ward) are less effective than geometric grid in ECD estimation