If ambitious net-zero carbon objectives are to be achieved, planners, designers, and builders need to adopt a whole-city approach to sustainability. Integrating infrastructure, transit-oriented development, and net-zero design principles helps cities move toward more resilient and equitable communities. Together, these strategies not only support sustainability planning but also help advance social equity and environmental responsibility at the community level.
Reducing energy consumption and using low-carbon materials should be a priority for cities everywhere. Circular material use and retrofitting aging infrastructure can provide significant value while supporting net-zero goals. At the same time, planners and architects must carefully evaluate climate-responsive strategies when implementing net-zero building design for both new projects and existing building stock.
Universally, five top elements come into play when ensuring buildings meet sustainability targets through net-zero energy building design and other high-performance approaches:
- Careful site selection
- Tight controls on construction methods
- High-performing building envelopes
- Passive design strategies
- Clean energy and high-performance HVAC systems
We explore each of these elements in more detail below.
1. Careful site selection
One of the biggest misconceptions in urban planning is that new construction is inherently more sustainable than retrofitting. In reality, existing buildings and infrastructure often offer significant embodied carbon savings, making them highly compatible with net-zero designs.
Prime examples can be found in downtown Detroit and Cleveland, where urban brownfield sites are being transformed from former industrial zones into economically vibrant, mixed-use communities well served by public transit. Bedrock, the largest commercial property owner in Detroit and one of the largest in Cleveland, is leading a transformational redevelopment of several waterfront districts into compact, sustainable neighborhoods aligned with long-term net-zero goals.
In December 2022, Bedrock unveiled its long-range master plan for a Cleveland waterfront district, transforming 35 acres of the downtown riverfront into a walkable neighborhood designed with sustainability at its core.
Working closely with Arcadis, Bedrock envisions a series of 15-minute neighborhoods that combine residential, commercial, and infrastructure development. These communities will connect residents to amenities such as grocery stores, cafés, and parks, while integrating clean energy systems and sustainable design features across both retrofitted historic buildings and new developments.
2. Construction methods
Tight controls on construction methods should be accompanied by a commitment to sustainable, locally sourced materials. These sustainable design features help reduce embodied carbon and strengthen long-term building performance.
Embodied emissions can occur at any stage—from raw material extraction and manufacturing to transportation, construction, maintenance, and demolition. However, these emissions can be evaluated and minimized using specialized software that analyzes design options and material choices.
Using rapidly renewable materials such as bamboo, hemp, and cork can significantly reduce carbon impact. To move toward a zero-carbon future, designers must also adopt a Whole Life Carbon Vision that considers both embodied and operational emissions throughout the building lifecycle. Durable materials that extend a structure’s lifespan also contribute significantly to successful net-zero building design strategies.
3. Building envelopes
High-performing building envelopes are critical components of effective net-zero energy building design. They should be airtight when required, include thermal breaks, and ideally contribute to energy generation.
Because many buildings requiring retrofits are more than 60 years old, eliminating thermal bridges and improving building envelopes is key to reducing energy use and environmental impact.
A notable example is Castellana 66, a 30-year-old office building in Madrid that required upgrades to meet modern energy and carbon standards. Through refurbishment and the integration of high-performance façade systems with photovoltaic technology, the project significantly reduced operational carbon emissions while preserving the embodied carbon within the existing structure.
This retrofit saves more than 100 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually while preserving approximately 9,000 metric tons of embodied carbon in the building structure.
4. Passive design
Passive design strategies focus on climate-responsive building systems that rely primarily on natural forces rather than mechanical energy. Passive heating, cooling, and ventilation systems play an important role in many net-zero designs.
Ideally, passive design principles should be incorporated early in the planning phase of new buildings. However, they can also be applied effectively during building retrofits. Reusing existing structures almost always results in lower environmental impact than new construction while delivering long-term economic and carbon savings.
The Artist Hub in Vancouver is an example of a new passive design project aligned with net-zero design principles. The seven-story facility is an all-electric, near-zero-emissions building equipped with an air-source heat pump that efficiently provides heating, cooling, and domestic hot water. The building also incorporates Passive House design principles and provides real-time energy data to inform future sustainable development.
5. Clean-energy, high-performance HVAC systems
In many climates, passive strategies alone cannot provide adequate heating and cooling. Therefore, passive systems must be integrated with efficient mechanical systems to achieve effective net-zero building design.
High-performance HVAC systems combined with high-performing building envelopes significantly reduce energy consumption. This is especially important for buildings operating on clean energy platforms such as electric heat pumps or district energy networks.
However, electrification strategies must be evaluated carefully in colder climates, where electricity demand spikes may impact energy affordability or increase reliance on fossil fuels. For this reason, system selection should always be based on holistic analysis to ensure that net-zero energy building design strategies truly support long-term sustainability outcomes.
An example of this integrated approach is the Bay Technology Centre in Neath, United Kingdom. The facility is an energy-positive building that generates and stores renewable energy onsite while utilizing advanced low-carbon heating and cooling technologies. The project achieved an Excellent BREEAM rating, including a perfect score for energy performance metrics.
Moving toward a carbon-positive future
Whether designing new buildings or retrofitting existing ones, urban planners and architects must adopt a holistic approach that integrates nature, reduces resource consumption, and minimizes waste. Incorporating thoughtful sustainable design features is essential for creating regenerative urban environments.
At Arcadis, we are advancing this vision by applying global expertise in architecture, engineering, and urban design to support communities in reaching their net-zero goals. Through people-centered planning and innovative design, we aim to reduce carbon footprints, protect natural ecosystems, and improve quality of life for generations to come.
Ultimately, sustainability is about designing places that inspire, support, and empower people—now and in the future.
A longer version of this viewpoint was published by Urban Land on 26 June 2023.
More Blogs
