Programm-related research

Since its establishment in 2011, the Energy-Efficient Urban Redevelopment Program has been making important contributions to the localized realization of goals towards energy-transformation in Germany. Experiences with the implementation of KfW Programs 432 and 201/202 have been analyzed through supporting research since mid-2013. The Federal Ministry of the Interior for Construction and Homeland, the Federal Ministry for Construction, Urban and Spatial Research and the KfW initiated a second phase of supporting research for Energy-Efficient Urban Redevelopment to gain further insight into the program’s practical implementation and its potential meanings for scientific and political interests. This second phase ended in December 2022.

Supporting research furthered the exchange of information and knowledge, qualified the program in practice and supported efforts to inform the public about the results of targeted application of the program’s provisions. Additionally, it contributed to the validation of the program in practice, and therefore, to its further development.

The research study examined up to 70 reference projects. Some of the reference were also pilot projects during the first phase of supporting research. The first municipalities nationwide were supported by scientists as they began the first phase of developing their integrated, energy-efficient neighborhood concepts. Beginning in July 2018, the second phase focused on the implementation and stabilization of energy-efficient renovation processes through the municipality itself.

Objectives

The supporting research examined the conditions for the improving the ordering of procedures in KfW Programs 432, 201 and 202. The goal of the research was it to optimize strategies for the reduction of Co2 and identify targeted renovation measures on the neighborhood level. For this, on-site consultation were equally as important as the exchange between stakeholders who were in charge of the qualified preparation of results and experiences.

 This research fulfilled the dual purpose of scientific investigation and the communication of the project to the public. The research focused on four aspects of the program:

• Planning: Drawing up integrated neighborhood strategies for energy efficiency and implementing them as instruments of urban development.
• Engineering and environmental science: Realizing the energy targets, climate goals and benefits of energy-efficient urban redevelopment.
• Political and social activities: Bringing stakeholders together, determining interests, designing processes and coordinating implementation.
• Economic measures: Creating incentives and structuringfinances.

Even in the second research phase, approaches consisted mainly of interpretation of and reflection on on-site experience in the neighborhoods. Analysis of reference, representative and focus projects were used not only quantitatively but qualitatively. The research results were further suplemented by information retrieved through questionnaires per mail or telephone, as well as in-person visits.

Based on the online survey from summer 2018, a representational selection of 61 reference projects was compiled for further examination during the research process. The reference projects exhibit varying foundational conditions in terms of makeup of stakeholder groups, ownership structures, combination with other urban development programs, the inclusion of sanitation management, and the determination of strategic focal points within energy-efficient renovation as a whole. Additionally, exemplary complete strategies as well as singular, relevant aspects were highlighted in a selection of 17 representative projects and 10 focus projects.

In addition to examining the projects, the supporting research targetedly publicizes the program and facilitates knowledge transfer, qualification oft the program’s practicality, and a publicly-accessible communication of the results. A mixture of event formats, some for the professional public and some private, seeked to curate interest among involved audiences.

To support ongoing work in practice, the support research offered a wide selection of edited and easily-understandable informational material. Reports and documentations enabled impressions of research findings, instructive tools provide impulses for on-site interventions, posters and traveling exhibitions present the usability of the KfW Program 432, and a planning game encourages a playful approach to Phase 0 of concept development.