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Most of the Catalonian population and urban areas are located along the Mediterranean coastal zone and for this analysis three largest Catalonia’s cities are chosen: Barcelona, Terrassa and Tarragona. Each city is a geographical representative of a different climate type according to the re-analysed Köppen-Geiger climate classification. The objective of this research is to demonstrate the effects of regional climate variations on the potential of natural ventilation (NV) application in building design. The first part of the article presents the availability of NV corresponding to yearly climate conditions applying the methodology “Climate Potential for Natural Ventilation” (CPNV). In continuation, the second analysis is calculated with building energy simulation software and displays possible refrigeration energy savings in three geographical locations. Mixed-mode (or hybrid-mode) and night-ventilation techniques are applied for the cooling process of a hypothetical low-rise office building model. Peer Reviewed

Most of the Catalonian population and urban areas are located along the Mediterranean coastal zone and for this analysis three largest Catalonia’s cities are chosen: Barcelona, Terrassa and Tarragona. Each city is a geographical representative of a different climate type according to the re-analysed Köppen-Geiger climate classification. The objective of this research is to demonstrate the effects of regional climate variations on the potential of natural ventilation (NV) application in building design. The first part of the article presents the availability of NV corresponding to yearly climate conditions applying the methodology “Climate Potential for Natural Ventilation” (CPNV). In continuation, the second analysis is calculated with building energy simulation software and displays possible refrigeration energy savings in three geographical locations. Mixed-mode (or hybrid-mode) and night-ventilation techniques are applied for the cooling process of a hypothetical low-rise office building model. Peer Reviewed

The objective of this paper is to explain novel sustainable robotics solutions for cities. Those new proposals appear under the ECHORD++ project which is a good tool to meet academia and industry with the objective of providing innovative technological solutions. In this paper, authors explain the tool as well as the methodology to promote robotics research in urban environments, and the on-going experience will demonstrate that huge advances are made in this field. Peer Reviewed

The objective of this paper is to explain novel sustainable robotics solutions for cities. Those new proposals appear under the ECHORD++ project which is a good tool to meet academia and industry with the objective of providing innovative technological solutions. In this paper, authors explain the tool as well as the methodology to promote robotics research in urban environments, and the on-going experience will demonstrate that huge advances are made in this field. Peer Reviewed

AbstractFiscal rules are necessary to protect monetary policy from the consequences of unsustainable or active fiscal policy for inflation. Monetary unions, such as the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), require even stronger fiscal rules to avoid free riding by regional fiscal authorities on the common monetary policy. By contrast, in a fiscal federation, the federal government internalises the effect of active regional policies on the overall price level. Federal fiscal policy contributes to price stability either by enforcing fiscal rules or by adjusting its own stance. Following Canzoneri, Cumby and Diba (2001), we test whether federal and regional governments in Germany behave in an active or passive way. We find evidence of a spillover effect of unsustainable policies on other regions. The German federal government offsets the effect on the price level by running passive policies. The Bundesbank's prime objective of price stability is therefore endorsed by fiscal policy. The results have implications for the regulation of fiscal policies in the EMU.

AbstractFiscal rules are necessary to protect monetary policy from the consequences of unsustainable or active fiscal policy for inflation. Monetary unions, such as the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), require even stronger fiscal rules to avoid free riding by regional fiscal authorities on the common monetary policy. By contrast, in a fiscal federation, the federal government internalises the effect of active regional policies on the overall price level. Federal fiscal policy contributes to price stability either by enforcing fiscal rules or by adjusting its own stance. Following Canzoneri, Cumby and Diba (2001), we test whether federal and regional governments in Germany behave in an active or passive way. We find evidence of a spillover effect of unsustainable policies on other regions. The German federal government offsets the effect on the price level by running passive policies. The Bundesbank's prime objective of price stability is therefore endorsed by fiscal policy. The results have implications for the regulation of fiscal policies in the EMU.