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Cultural heritage is being addressed by a number of charters and conventions and it is clear that its consideration within decision-making processes is progressively becoming a real challenge, both for developers and public authorities. Against this background, this paper reviews the environmental assessment framework developed by the European Community, as this should increasingly influence decision making about cultural heritage in an urban setting. The legislative framework for access to environmental information is also reviewed because of its relevance to the decision-making process.The Directives on Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment both require a consideration of cultural heritage in decision making. This requirement can go some way to addressing the paradox in the European Community''s position whereby the community wishes to conserve and enhance its own cultural identity whilst, at the same time, cultural heritage is usually defined at a local level. The present paper suggests that, given their flexibility, the two European Community directives on environmental assessment constitute a promising opportunity to address this seeming paradox, but that there is a significant gap between legal obligations and the methodological tools to meet them. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Describes TOWNSCOPE II, a computer system devoted to support solar access decision-making in a sustainable urban design perspective. Spherical projections; Solar paths visualization; Sky component indicator; Thermal comfort in urban open spaces.

Highlights: [•] A GIS-based method for defining the potential of photovoltaic systems over façades is proposed. [•] The numeric model implemented relates variables of solar irradiance with urban geometry. [•] The most suitable façades are those included within orientation of ±30° and with obstruction ⩽45°. [•] The case of study indicates that 7.22% of the area’s façades are usable for the photovoltaic systems. [•] The CTE are not compatible with the architectural integration photovoltaic on façades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The link between transport energy consumption and land use patterns has been the focus of a considerable amount of academic works over the past decades. While many empirical researches are backed up with solid statistical techniques, most of them do not fully consider the influence of scale underlying empirical quantitative investigations. Using fine-scale home-to-work commuting data for Wallonia (Belgium), this paper re-evaluates assertion that urban structure should hold the characteristics of major cities if substantial energy savings are to be achieved. A local scale approach highlights efficient settlements in terms of transport energy consumption not only within major towns, but also within remote rural areas. Furthermore, results suggest that influencing the urban form following local energy efficient examples rather than regional ones could also yield significant gains, without an extreme policy stance of re-urbanisation in major cities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]