SEMANTIC TOOLS FOR CARBON REDUCTION IN URBAN PLANNING Co-funded by the European Commission within the 7th Framework Programme Newcastle, United kingdom The aim of the SEMANCO project is to reduce CO2 emissions by  integrating the analysis of CO2 production in our neighbourhoods,  cities and regions.  The tools and methods developed in the project  will be used to inform decisions about the energy performance and  cost effectiveness of different design and planning alternatives by:   • Classifying buildings for energy analysis • Visualising urban energy consumption • Assessing different methods of reducing CO2 emissions • Predicting future energy demand   • Providing appropriate energy indicators for local authorities   In the Riverside Dean pilot these tools will be demonstrated at the following geographical scales   Map Neighbourhood scale At the neighbourhood/municipal level pilot study will focus on the second phase of the redevelopment  of Riverside Dean (formally known as Cruddas Park) which is supported by Newcastle City Council,  Bridging Newcastle Gateshead, and New Deal for Communities and Your Homes Newcastle. Map Municipal Riverside Dene A major part of the first phase of the redevelopment of the Riverside Dean involved the  refurbishment and internal remodelling of three of the five pre-existing residential housing blocks. A  core aim of this large scale redevelopment on Tyneside was to bring existing 1960s design housing  up to and beyond 'Decent Homes Standards', whilst also aiming to reduce carbon emissions and  levels of fuel poverty.   In addition to further housing regeneration and renewal, the second phase of the redevelopment will  support the critical regeneration of the Cruddas Park Shopping Centre, which has the potential to be  a powerful social and commercial focus and will provide a new revitalised community and  commercial focal point for the area. Furthermore, the current master-planning includes the  development of a new commercial unit on the southern edge of the site. This will provide  opportunities for local employment and involvement, as well as presenting a high-profile modern  development aspect onto the main road (Scotswood Road) providing access to the site. Finally, it is  proposed Cruddas Park will be re-landscaped to provide an exceptionally high quality of local  environment that meets the diverse needs of the community. As it stands the green areas and  streets are poorly defined and the estate lacks a cohesive urban identity. But there are solutions to  all of these social, economic and environmental challenges which will be explored further as part of  our study. The findings from this will be linked to analysis of energy use across the whole of the City  of Newcastle upon Tyne.    Visit the blog