Promoting sustainable, integrated urban development in Germany

Plus Energy Buildings and Districts

With the German building sector accounting for one third of the country’s greenhouse-gas emissions and 40% of total energy consumption, minimising emissions in the building sector therefore forms an important pillar of the German Federal Government’s climate strategy, aiming to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2050. Plus Energy Buildings lead the path towards future buildings as prosumers (producers and consumers of energy), they can be considered as intelligent, decentralised energy power plants. 

This keystone paper looks at the pillars of a Plus Energy Building as well as the required legislative framework for the broad dissemination of PEBs. 3 case studies show examples of PEBs in rural as well as urban areas. Further it examines emerging trends such as the Integration of Smart Micro Grids in Plus Energy Districts and Embodied Energy and CO2-Assessments for a carbon-neutral building sector. 

Energy Efficiency of Buildings & Districts in Urban Renewal 

Residential buildings account for around 63% of the total primary energy consumption of the building sector. Around two thirds of them were constructed before introduction of the first regulation on energy performance in Germany. To enhance energy performance of the building sector, besides implementing high standards for new constructions, especially deep refurbishments of buildings older than 40 years need to be taken into consideration. 

This keystone paper looks at Germany’s strategy for energy efficiency in the building sector, with a particular focus on the needed increase of the refurbishment rate of residential buildings to reach the government’s climate goals. It also examines Germany’s subsidy scheme for energy efficiency, which is considered as some of the most ambitious throughout the EU. Case studies show, how the strategy is being implemented and emerging trends and their effect on energy efficiency of districts and buildings are identified.

Transformative City  

Cities are shaped by continuous urbanisation, increasing or shrinking population numbers, as well as other demographic changes. Cities are important economic drivers, and also responsible for a large proportion of ecological impacts and emissions. Physical transformation in urban environments mainly occurs in form of renewal, rehabilitation and upgrading.  

Sustainable urban development for transforming cities depends on forward-thinking action and targeted investments to improve attractiveness and liveability. This keystone paper looks at the transformation of German cities and towns, examines the regulatory frameworks and governmental subsidy schemes underlying the transformation. It gives three best practices for urban transformation in Germany and identifies trends that will influence future urban change.

Climate Risk Management in Cities

Globally, cities account for about 70% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Also in Germany, cities are responsible for a large proportion of the country’s carbon footprint, while being especially prone to be affected by the impacts of climate change. In urban environments, increased frequency of extreme weather events, including storms, flooding or heat waves, can have severe physical, economic and social impacts. To create climate resilient cities, therefore, municipalities need to follow a two-legged approach, taking both mitigation and adaptation measures into account. 

This keystone paper examines Germany’s strategies for both, mitigation of GHG emissions in cities and their adaption to climate change. It takes a particular focus on the German adaptation strategy, and the handling of climate risk assessment and management as well as financial incentive programs in urban areas. Case studies give examples for the implementation of such strategies and trends in the climate risk management in cities are being identified.

Urban renewal in districts

Today, German cities and their communities are experiencing urban change in a variety of ways. For instance, the ongoing economic transition from an industrial towards a service economy and climate change are some contemporary drivers of urban change. 

This keystone paper looks at factors of today’s urban change in Germany, the regulatory frameworks for urban renewal and the financial programmes for such. Case studies give examples for the implementation of these strategies and trends in contemporary urban renewal are being identified.

Please note that five of the ten papers are yet to be published.