Energy, sustainability and communities: Assessing the potential for community energy planning in British Columbi

Community energy planning (CEP) is an integrative process that aims to jointly address energy, sustainability and community planning objectives. It is currently in its infancy as a planning process. To move from the realm of concept to that of practice, it is necessary to answer three questions: what is CEP?; why should we do it?; and how do we do it?;This study develops the concept of CEP into four policy packages designed to influence urban land use planning, transportation management, site and building design, and the use of alternative energy supplies. The "why" of CEP must be answered at two levels: at the community level in order to motivate local action; and at a more aggregate level in order to motivate major policy shifts. The "how" of CEP is also examined at two levels: a conceptual level, to identify major legal, technical, economic and social issues; and a practical level, to develop, through a case study, an understanding of some real-world problems and solutions. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).