Considerations for Regional Energy Planning

The purpose of the paper is to present potential conceptual frameworks which the planner and urban engineer may use to deal with energy systems on a regional basis. A case study is considered as an indication of the definite need for such methodologies. The paradigms having potential utility for the urban planner and engineer are based on the natural ecosystem, the flow of resources, the relationship between land use and energy consumption, the input-output technique and on social structure pattern. Each approach to regional energy problems has disadvantages and advantages which are considered. Special consideration is given to one technique, computing order of magnitude energy usage estimates from land-use categories as a useful means of achieving a basic understanding of regional energy use.