The Urban Research Town: An in-Field Tool for Testing, Adoption and Deployment of New Urban Energy Sources and Technologies

Abstract

This article explores the possibility of developing  the in-field urban research town that will perform the role of a research and development centre for the development, testing and adoption of new urban energy sources. From a desktop review of existing literature, it is clearly evident that there is a vast array of energy producing technologies available, globally. What has been missing in Zimbabwe  is a platform where these technologies can be tested before large scale adoption. This, therefore, brings about the emerging need for an in-field urban energy research facility. This article critically explores this concept within the framework of survivability, sustainability and resilience, a real-time in-field research and development facility, in this case, an urban research town, be a national priority.