| Summary: | Due to the rapid urbanization process, more than 50% of the world population lives today in urban areas, and considering only the case of Portugal, this figure exceeds even 70% and with a tendency to increase. This continuous search for cities and the urban lifestyle generates an increasing consumption of resources, and many of these are non-renewable. The energy matrix in which cities were established is based on nonrenewable and highly polluting forms. Besides, cities account for 60% to 80% of the energy used, and more than 70% of CO2 emissions. In this way, it is necessary to create urban strategies and technologies that allow the creation of energy efficient urban communities. This paper aims to discuss energy efficiency in communities, management systems and strategies for energy use, presenting several technologies that contribute to the creation of energy efficient communities and the benefits that these communities have to the three dimensions of development. To this end, some examples of communities in Portugal with recognized merit were analysed and presented, as well as strategies proposed for the creation of intelligent and energy efficient communities based on existing research projects.
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