From Energy-efficient Cities to Energy-efficient People - The Five A's Planning Approach

Energy consumption has been increasing for years. Looking at the way we live, work, and move; we tend to choose the unsustainable and energy-intensive way despite knowing that it is not necessarily the cheapest, fastest, or more convenient way. What makes us waste energy versus conserve energy while knowing that with this lifestyle we destroy our environment, we threaten our health, and we risk running out of vital resources? There are five main factors that influence our decisions on how we live, move, and work. It is all about availability, affordability, accessibility, attractiveness, and awareness of options and technologies. These five root causes are the basis for a new planning approach that aims towards not only energy-efficient settlement patterns but also energy-efficient living environments that result in the change of people's behavior towards energy efficient lifestyles - the Five A's Approach.