Urban planning and reducing the use of non-renewable energy resources a case study of Tabriz

Due to possible instability of energy provision for existing and future settlements, there is a great need for considering energy resources in settlement planning. If we look at the census and the present information, we will recognize that there has been increasing trend in the consumption of non-renewable energy resources (NRER) parallel to the economic, social and population growth. There is not any equal relationship between the supply and demand functions in energy utility. Such a growth not only has been a threat in terms of NRER deterioration, but also has caused serious environmental problems for large human dwellings as well as industrial locations. Therefore, the following questions have raised as the core basis of this paper: Which tools and policies can be used for reducing NRER consumption? What is the position of the urban planning and designing in between? Despite the stability and exclusiveness of urban planning in the reduction of energy use, it is a fact that there has not been a very comprehensive study of the relationship between land use and the amount of energy consumption of NRER and protecting the environment in Tabriz. The main aim of this research is therefore, to reinforce the replacement strategy of renewable energy resources for the purpose of reaching a self-sufficient rule, by application of urban planning and designing yardsticks, particularly in governmental sectors. The results of this study indicate that the requirement for sustainable development and environmental protection, of course, is paying special attention to urban planning tools.