PROJECT TITLE
Creating Opportunities for Adaptation Based on PULSE (Population in Urban Landscape for Sustainable Built Environment) 

FUNDED BY
National Science Foundation: Office of Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innnovation

COLLABORATORS
Led by Jelena Srebric, Pennsylvania State University
With collaboration from Christoph Reinhart & John Spengler, Harvard University

ABSTRACT
The growth of cities brings many changes to outdoor and indoor environments, including evolving patterns of energy consumption and associated emissions.  This project aims to identify and test opportunities for urbanites and buildings to better adapt to environmental conditions and energy performance requirements.  Researchers will create a multi-scale model that spans a whole urban neighborhood in order to capture the effects of buildings on energy flows for cooling/heating/lighting.  Simulations from this unique model, along with sensor network data and inhabitant input, will inform the development of new urban design performance metrics to improve the sustainability of buildings and neighborhoods.

PERSONAL CONTRIBUTIONS
My work has been focused around classifying campus buildings in order to be able to compare the energy performance of buildings across various campuses.  I've also worked with a graduate student at Harvard University in order to collaborate this building classification.  Our goal is to create an energy density benchmarking report that spans multiple universities.