Designing Architecture for Sustainable Electric Mobility: Ecosystems Integrating Urban Planning and Infrastructure Design

1. Introduction

Electric mobility is rapidly emerging as a viable low-emissions transportation alternative. The transport sector is the fastest-growing greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting sector, expected to reach a share of more than 30% of total GHG emissions in the future. The introduction of electric vehicles in fleets is often the first step to overcoming challenges and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution through electric mobility (de Melo et al., 2023). The global vehicle fleet is set to double by 2050, with more than 90% of future vehicle growth projected to take place in low and middle-income countries. The European Union has set a target for low-emission vehicles to have tailpipe emissions below 50g/km. By 2030, the sale of battery-powered cars could contribute to up to 75% of emission reduction from new vehicles, which would be crucial to meeting EU climate ambitions (Blat Belmonte et al., 2020). Developing robust electric mobility infrastructure necessitates an integrated socio-technical systems approach that accounts for the built environment. coordination between architecture, urban planning, and transportation engineering is essential for sustainable transportation ecosystem design.

This chapter comprehensively examines the role of architecture in shaping electric mobility systems. Transportation infrastructure design heavily influences the adoption rates of novel vehicle technologies. Urban form and spatial configurations impact the provision of charging access points, street layouts conducive to different modes, and public transportation integration possibilities. Retrofitting legacy auto-oriented infrastructure to accommodate electric vehicles introduces challenges. Thus, forward-thinking architectural considerations in infrastructure planning can facilitate smoother transitions to sustainable mobility.

This study explores the architectural dimensions of building electric mobility ecosystems. Accessibility analyses examine charging infrastructure placement relative to dwelling and activity densities. Network analyses evaluate street and pathway configurations' impacts on multiple transportation modes. System integration studies assess electric vehicles' potential public transportation roles. The chapter also evaluates infrastructure adaptation challenges and opportunities. Findings aim to inform architecture and urban planning practices supporting long-term electric mobility adoption.

With expanding urbanization, low-emissions transportation assumes heightened importance. Table 1 compares well-to-wheel energy usage and emissions metrics across modes, helping policymakers craft sustainability-optimized transportation systems. This research contributes to an interdisciplinary understanding of architecture and policy's roles in engineering equitable, environmentally sound urban mobility transitions.