Urban Resource Assessment: A Quantitative Evaluation of an Urban Neighborhood's Theoretical Capacity to Harvest Energy, Manage Water and Grow Food

Date of Award

8-29-2012

Document Type

Undergraduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Applied Science

Organizational Unit

University College, Environmental Policy and Management

Disciplines

Environmental Policy & Mgmt

First Advisor

Steven Arnold

Keywords

Sustainability, Urban agriculture, Renewable energy, Stormwater management, Rainwater harvesting, Water quality, Solar energy, Wind energy, Biomass

Abstract

Sustainability is considered to be the utilization of natural resources in a manner ensuring they will be available for future generations. This is dependent on our efficient use of these resources carefully balanced with our growing need for three necessities: energy, water and food. It is imperative for urban centers to evaluate and optimize these critical resources. The Urban Resource Assessment demonstrates existing urban neighborhoods can be quantitatively evaluated using publicly-available GIS, CAD and aerial photography to determine the theoretical capacity for harvesting energy, managing water and growing food. Theoretical capacities for renewable energy sources, water quality capture volume, rainwater harvesting and vegetable crop yields were estimated utilizing a digital, three-dimensional model of an existing neighborhood block in Denver, Colorado.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

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