People-centered approaches
The well-being of inhabitants should always be at the core of renovation projects. Discover how different organisations across Europe engaged tenants and prioritised bottom-up approaches in their projects.
The Austrian NGO Hilfswerk International, in collaboration with the local Foundation for Local Democracy and local and national Bosnian authorities, built six residential buildings in six cities/towns with the purpose of giving a permanent roof to vulnerable people. In parallel, they undertook a comparative study on the local context and provided a set of policy recommendations to improve the policy framework. The construction of the buildings was a pilot effort with a larger ambition of envisaging a favourable policy and regulatory framework for social housing at the state level.
Housing Cooperative Berliner Bau- und Wohnungsgenossenschaft von 1892 eG (1892 for short) pursued an experimental and innovative renewal of a housing complex from the 1970s. The renovation was based on an award-winning co-management process within a wide coalition of architects, social and healthcare organisations and research teams (from the EU-funded project DREEAM) with the residents, neighbourhood committees and the staff of 1892. They also opted for a balanced approach, opting for both traditional and novel technological solutions, including storage of PV energy. The plan included involving additional groups to live at the estate to add to the social mix of the quarter (single, family, retirees, students, artists, couples or shared flats). To cater for different needs, the architectural solution included adaptable suitable housing sizes and floor plans as well as transformation of existing flats into shared and public spaces, which were conducive to increased sense of belonging and community.
The social mix model was used as a criterion to assign the dwellings of the building. Acer carried out a data analysis to identify the family and people with suitable characteristics. Mediators were engaged to facilitate the cohesion among the different groups and to involve them in the community-building process. Inhabitants were offered training to become community facilitators and were encouraged and supported to write a handbook of good neighbourly practices.
Aalborg East is a project derived from a long-term strategy underpinned on resident co-creation to ensure quality of life for the residents. Between 2011 and 2021, the social housing company Himmerland Boligforening (HB) led the district regeneration with the support of a broad set of actors aiming to undertake an integrated approach. HB provided administrative support, led the institutionalisation of cross-sector work (and investment) needed for an integrated solution, and led tenant involvement. East Aalborg, like many other public housing examples in Denmark, benefited from the effective financial structure in place at the national level to support large-scale renovation projects.
Two homeowners’ associations started a far-reaching district renovation of their stock with the collaboration of the municipality and funded by state grants. In the absence of established cooperation streams between homeowners’ association and the local government the project placed a strong emphasis on improving inter-institutional dialogue and trust. This was done by a bottom-up approach dedicated to ensure collaboration was achieved.
VILAWATT creation aimed to drive forward the energy transition in the Catalan city of Viladecans. The project set up a public-private-citizen partnership (PPCP), as the main governance structure to manage 4 key services: 100% renewable energy supply; fast renovation of private buildings; consulting services and learning communities (energy audits & contract optimisation, training and empowerment in energy culture, financing options); and efficiency incentives via the Vilawatt local currency. The project shows the potential of urban authorities to test high risk experimental ideas. Viladecans City Council was transformed into a lab where governance and energy models and services are tested and lessons learnt.
Propelled by beneficial fiscal conditions in Italy, Energheia is a model of self-consumption in residential buildings. Initially started with a small pilot in Pinerolo, the success has already enabled replication across Piedmont (Italy). The model includes energy efficiency measures (insulation of façades, substitution of windows, solar panels on the roof and the installation of a heat pump in the thermal room, etc.) and the creation of an energy community with the residents. The involvement of the inhabitants in the energy community is facilitated by gamifying their energy consumption and starting “competitions” where residents are encouraged to consume less than their neighbour.
The project is a result of a regulatory sandbox to test renewable energy incorporation in the network and explore potential grid optimisation through the creation of the first Slovenian energy community. The project showed the benefits that arose by less strict Distribution System Operator (DSO) regulations. Changes in the national energy law are being introduced as a result of lessons learned, together with new subsidies for the installation of photovoltaic and storage batteries.
Valle de Jinámar is a neighbourhood with the largest public housing stock in the Canary Islands and one of the largest in Spain. Since the 1970s it has been experiencing increased rates of unemployment and people in vulnerable situations (social and economic). Telde City Council initiated a renovation of the neighbourhood and the residents’ life through an integrated approach, which combined building renovation and socio-educational programmes. With support across several governmental levels, and NextGenerationEU funds, Valle de Jinámar achieved positive impacts in the quality of life, the social capital in the community and to turn around the social stigmatisation of its citizens.
A block of apartments suffered deep renovation works, including insulation of the façade, the installation of photovoltaic panels and the removal of asbestos. Smart energy meters were installed in each flat, so tenants could track and reduce their energy consumption. Social integration and cohesion through a dedicated accompanying scheme was also part of the project.