In Germany, the tenant rate of residential buildings is higher (54%) than the owner rate (46%). Actually, 16% of the residential buildings are property of housing companies especially in larger cities. Against this background, the highest potential to reduce CO2 emissions is to step away from considering individual buildings towards an overall view of residential districts and neighbourhoods.

The German federal government aims  to achieve 40% reduction of CO₂ emissions in the building sector by 2020 and of 80-95% reduction by 2050 compared to the levels of 2009. To reach both the ambitious German and the EU targets, the KfW-Bank initiated the Energy-efficient Urban Redevelopment Programme (number 432).

The KfW programme Energy-efficient Urban Redevelopment extends the energy upgrading of individual buildings to entire neighbourhoods. The Energy-efficient Urban Redevelopment Programme facilitates flexible strategies, which can be tailored to local conditions.

The programme combines standards for energy upgrades in buildings, efficient energy supply systems and the increased use of renewables with demographic, economic, urban design and housing considerations. A cooperative management process oversees and expedites implementation. Therefore, concepts of integrated urban development, integrated housing and local climate protection could serve as a blueprint to implement the KfW programme Energy-efficient Urban Redevelopment.

In Halle (Saale), the German REFURB partner Bauverein Halle  & Leuna eG uses this programme for developing an integrated energy and climate protection concept for the “Lutherviertel”. Listed buildings from the interwar period dominate this residential district. Bauverein is the owner of the cohesive complex of buildings and is the driving force for the energetic neighbourhood concept. The main outcome so far is a centralised local heating solution. Further priority fields of action are climate adaption measures of the residential surroundings, conversion of street lighting to LED as well as e-mobility.

KfW-Bank:

https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/%C3%96ffentliche-Einrichtungen/Energetische-Stadtsanierung/

Further Information and examples:

http://www.energetische-stadtsanierung.info/

http://www.energetische-stadtsanierung.info/informationen-fuer-die-praxis/gute-praxis/halle.html