A Framework for Integration of Smart and Sustainable Energy Systems in Urban Planning Processes of Low-Income Developing Countries: Afghanistan Case

Najib Rahman Sabory, Tomonobu Senjyu, Mir Sayed Shah Danish, Mikaeel Ahmadi, Hameedullah Zaheb and Mustafa Halim
Additional contact information
Najib Rahman Sabory: Department of Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University, Kabul 1006, Afghanistan
Tomonobu Senjyu: Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
Mir Sayed Shah Danish: Department of Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University, Kabul 1006, Afghanistan
Mikaeel Ahmadi: Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
Hameedullah Zaheb: Department of Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University, Kabul 1006, Afghanistan
Mustafa Halim: Energy Sector Improvement Program, Afghanistan, Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Kabul 1006, Afghanistan

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-24

Abstract: Population growth and city expansion in developing countries require traditional urban planning practices to be transformed in order to tackle climate change and follow Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agendas. Almost every expert in the urban sector believes that future cities should be sustainable, smart, and environmentally friendly, where energy is one of the most critical factors to achieve these goals. They also agree that smart and sustainable energy provision for cities requires a comprehensive and responsive legal and policy framework to be in place at the national level. However, this research’s findings reveal a lack of such frameworks for this group of countries. Considering the challenges and unique nature of Low-Income-Developing (LID) countries, there should be a framework based on the realities in these countries. In this research, key challenges of urban and energy sectors of LID countries, specifically Afghanistan, are identified, and a framework for the integration of sustainable and smart energy in the urban planning processes for LID countries is proposed. To make it easily replicable and adaptable for LID countries, the proposed framework is studied and analyzed around Afghanistan’s urban and energy sectors. This is one of the few frameworks of its kind for LID economies to the best of the authors’ knowledge. This framework lays a solid foundation for sustainable and smart energy integration in the urban planning process of developing countries. This study highlights that sustainable and smart energy systems could ensure climate change mitigation and economic growth enhancement but require close cross-sectoral coordination and policy maker’s commitments and involvement. This research will help many existing and emerging cities in the LID countries’ worldwide use and benefit from the proposed framework in their urban planning processes. It also enables policymakers, urban planners and designers, municipalities leadership, and other stakeholders of the urban, energy, and environment sectors to work together and make smart and rational decisions for the future of their cities and lead them towards smart and sustainable cities.

Keywords: urban planning framework; sustainable energy integration; smart-sustainable city; low-income developing countries; sustainable development goals; environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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