The trend in urban population growth marks the sustainable development of cities as a critical challenge on the path towards the efficient use of resources and the mitigation of the environmental impact of human activity. Scientific studies have generally focused on the quantification of the environmental impact derived from the usage/operational stage of buildings. This study also includes the impact associated with the use of public facilities and services in cities. The aim of this paper is to study the CO2 emissions from the use stage of buildings and public facilities through different urban planning solutions. Six development scenarios have been evaluated, considering the most common residential building typologies with a common construction surface, which includes: single-family units (detached and semi-detached) and apartment blocks of different building heights. The main finding is the relevant contribution of the use of urban facilities and public services to the overall environmental impact of an urbanized area during its lifespan. The impact of urban planning on the total carbon emissions in cities is shown in the results. The outcome of this research will guide relevant stakeholders in urban development to promote sustainability criteria in urban design guidelines and their inclusion in the policy arena. The results will also help city managers to better understand the role of public services in the overall environmental impact of urbanized areas. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.