REGEN-LINK: Regeneration and new construction in European social housing Challenges, Knowledge and Solutions

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1 REGEN-LINK: Regeneration and new construction in European social housing Challenges, Knowledge and Solutions Geurt Donze 1 - Chiel Boonstra 2 - José Maria Ezquiaga 3 1 W/E Consultants Sustainable Building. P.O. Box AS Gouda (NL). H: T: F: E: donze@w-e.nl 2 DHV Accommodation and Real Estate. P.O. Box BK Amersfoort (NL) H: T: F: E: chiel.boonstra@dhv.nl 3 Ezquiaga Arquitectura Sociedad Y Territorio, Amado Nervo, 3 3 B Madrid (E) T: F: E: ezquiaga@ezquiaga.com 1. INTRODUCTION The vast majority of the social housing stock in Europe was built in the period after the Second World War and is in need of improvement and modernisation. Even though the introduction of innovative energy solutions and the adoption of a sustainable approach are more easily applied to new build schemes, earlier demonstration projects already illustrate the possibilities in the existing building stock [Voss, 2000]. The early adopters of this approach within the social housing sector, which owns a large part of the existing stock, have begun to define their strategies with respect to the sustainable redevelopment of existing areas, and have started to execute these in further demonstration projects. REGEN-LINK, is one of those initiatives. 2. REGEN-LINK PARTNERSHIP REGEN-LINK is a partnership of major players in the social housing sector. REGEN-LINK partners co-operatively address common financial and political issues, thus maximising the practices of sustainable building and energy efficiency at European, national, regional and local levels. REGEN-LINK objectives are: - To demonstrate energy efficiency, the application of innovative technologies and the reduction of C0 2 emissions in urban areas and buildings which are being regenerated - To integrate efficient (renewable) energy technologies in the designs for renovation and new buildings in regeneration areas - To integrate innovative energy efficient measures as standard features of the regeneration programmes of social landlords and those engaged in area renewal - Monitoring and evaluation of results - Dissemination of the common experiences and results to decision makers, professionals, investors and contractors, in order to promote wide spread acceptance and application of the measures demonstrated This will underline the benefits of energy efficiency so as to make it possible to integrate the policies of sustainability, energy saving and awareness of these issues into the process of

2 physical renovation of the buildings which Social Landlords own, or for which they are responsible, or where they are playing a role in the regeneration process. 3. REGEN-LINK PROJECTS 3.1 Eight Sites throughout Europe REGEN-LINK consists of eight demonstration projects being implemented by Social Housing Builders and Landlords, drawn from North West, Eastern and Southern Europe. In these countries (NL, DK, E, F, IRL, PL, S, UK) social housing demonstration projects in the period from show that energy efficient housing can become the norm in the regeneration of existing housing areas. The target is a % C0 2 reduction through the introduction of common energy measures in a variety of contexts and backgrounds. The projects combine innovation with novel but recognised techniques, so as to demonstrate that energy efficient housing can become the norm in the social housing sector. If innovative technology is to be widely used for new construction and retrofitting then it must be seen to be beneficial to the constructor and to the user [Donze, 2000]. The monitoring, evaluation and interpretation of the results will provide the evidence. Technical challenges are faced and resolved at the demonstration sites where all measures are introduced according to the threefold strategy (Trias Energetica) of reduced demand (improved insulation, advanced glazing and ventilation strategies), integration of renewable energy sources (passive solar, glazed balconies, double envelope, solar collectors, PV, Heat pumps) and efficient energy supply systems (district heating, small scale CHPs, condensing gas boilers). Thus a broad scenery of market-ready techniques is established and experiences are shared. 3.2 Project example: TØJHUSHAVEN (DK) The site is located in an urban area of Randers, in the middle of Jutland, Denmark. The project consists of the demolition of 4 four storey buildings dating from the 1900s, and the construction of 4 in fill buildings comprising 36 dwellings. The project aims to demonstrate cost-effective sustainable urban renewal and the provision of substantial energy savings through integrated design and the creation of a healthy indoor and friendly outdoor environment. Urban site management is to be improved and ideas and knowledge exchanged about energy conscious urban regeneration throughout Europe. Energy efficient glazed sunspaces and high levels of insulation are added, and a high performance glazing system with integrated lamellas is installed for improved thermal performance and comfort. Radiator-integrated air in-lets provide a fresh air supply into the building. District heating supplies the energy for the heating system. The energy for domestic hot water (DHW) is provided by a combination of photovoltaics (PV) and combined heat and power (CHP), instead of oil and electricity. An energy control, registration and information system, consisting of thermostats, combined control valves and energy meters to control heating, and moisture sensors to control ventilation, are installed. Individual metering is applied for the heating and water supply as well as for the use of electricity. Energy savings of around 50%, compared to the standard energy demand for new built multistorey housing in Denmark, are anticipated and a reduction in CO 2 emissions of 661 tons per annum is predicted.

3 Early in 2002 the project is progressing very well (Figure 1). Relevant monitoring equipment was built in during the construction phase in order to provide the necessary monitored data. National articles about the "Casa Nova" project have been published and the production of a national project brochure has been initiated. Figure 1 Tøjhushavevej 4 and 5 renovated (Randers, DK) Advanced high performance glazing with integrated Venetian blinds were designed for the South facing facades. The windows can be opened during hot and sunny periods. Photovoltaic panels as a complete roofing system for one of the four buildings have been implemented. 4. COMMON TASKS 4.1 Technical and non technical issues A Common Task Programme has been developed in conjunction with the demonstration projects. The programme builds upon European and international experiences and breaks new ground in co-operation between Social Landlords and professionals. It provides solutions to common financial and political issues, which can maximise the practices of sustainability and energy efficiency at European, national, regional and local levels REGEN-LINK partners co-operatively address common issues such as design, monitoring, building and urban sustainability, peer reviewing, tenants involvement, finance and dissemination. 4.2 Example Task 7: Non-technical strategies Apart from the more or less traditional technical issues in demonstration projects, special attention is paid to crucial strategic economical and social aspects. One of the joint activities is the Common Task entitled Non-technical strategies: Policies, Partnership, Personnel motivation and awareness, for which the Spanish partner is responsible. In this task REGEN-LINK partners will finally define a clear set of energy efficiency and sustainability objectives. They also seek new partnerships to reach these objectives. The collective commitment that is needed from all the personnel of the companies involved should be developed in every institution.

4 4.2.1 Delphi questionnaire. A first step was taken with a Delphi questionnaire [Ezquiaga, 2002]. This method is an element in a progressive search whose goal it is to obtain conclusions from a panel of experts. The questionnaire was devised as a means of assessing the awareness and motivation of each site's project partners on urban sustainability. Urban sustainability is far from being the dominant paradigm in the building industry. All people, technical or financial staffs, who work in the project, are seen as partners in this approach. A questionnaire addresses the awareness of each partner. Therefore, its results are categorised as perceptions of a normative and industrial framework, not as a faithful reflection of the current situation. The form is arranged in four chapters: - Intending to offer a profile of the person reacting and offering a description of the project - Addressing the incidence of urban sustainability policies - Studying the partnership between the parties involved - Intending to provide a vision of the awareness of the participants. Results have shown that the work structures are quite diverse across Europe in terms of partnership schemes, but some features are common. A selection of preliminary outcomes is presented below Urban Sustainability Policies. On the subject of urban sustainability policies it is concluded that a significant proportion of a Local Agenda XXI or of an Environmental Action plan exists in the municipalities, but these documents do not often set goals or indicators for energy efficiency. Energy saving and efficiency are regulated in all countries at the state level (Figure 2). Building codes Regional Municipality NL F PL IRL S DK UK E St at e Figure 2 efficiency Level of codes including specific binding measures on energy savings and Utilities and public works are generally not regulated in terms of energy efficiency, even at state level. This means for instance that losses from pipes and ducts are supposed to be addressed by utility companies on a profit basis. A common wish is to introduce higher standards for energy efficient design. Polish and Dutch sites also propose the reuse of older building materials.

5 4.2.3 Local Partnerships. Problems mentioned within partnerships while environmental criteria are being implemented are: - Unclear definition of what is really environmentally sustainable - Lack of a perception of building costs as an element to be assessed in the long term - An increase in the number of partners involved (more complications, time and effort) Awareness of participants. Nearly all the projects have devised ways to translate their experience on environmental issues to future projects by maintaining the technical staff. Housing tenants have shown an interest in environmental improvements in all projects. Energy efficiency is a general concern, regardless of the location of the site. French and Dutch inhabitants have also shown interest for air quality measures (Figure 3). Daylight control features have been of interest to the French, and the Danes have shown curiosity about the materials employed. Environmental solutions Energy efficiency Air quality Daylight control NL F PL IRL S DK UK E Materials Figure 3 Inhabitants interest in building features When asked for the principle reasons that make it unusual for environmental criteria to be applied to social housing, the answers deal mainly with the lack of local authority awareness and inhabitants interest, awareness, cost perception and industrial culture First conclusions. The results of this phase of the Delphi method show that developing a refurbishment or new social housing project on environmental awareness implies additional cost and extra time, as perceived by the partners themselves. But it seems these extra requirements are in closer relation to the experimental nature of the projects than to a genuine problem of environmental requirements. The main proposals to increase the environmentally aware housing operations are focused on information and education, and on the implementation of standards that can overcome the experimental character of the projects. These standards should be applied both in norms and in the certification of building materials.

6 5. OUTLOOKS REGEN-LINK concentrates on sustainable urban renewal, creating links with policy issues on both international and local levels. REGEN-LINK started early in 2000 and activities on the demonstration projects and Common Tasks will span until the end of Dissemination has started and will continue a little longer than the end of The overall progress will be presented at the Sustainable Building Conference For this, site projects will be addressed briefly and be used for illustrating the main objectives of REGEN-LINK. The main focus will be on the actual outcomes of both technical and non-technical joint activities. Strategies will have to be targeted at participants specific roles, opportunities and motivation [Donze, 2001]. It centres round the main objectives of the Conference and offers a broad perspective and survey of the complexity of sustainability in the regeneration of existing areas. Challenges are faced, knowledge gained and spread, solutions shared. REGEN-LINK is a partnership of major players in the social housing sector in Europe and EU-supported within the Fifth Framework Programme. First two authors are Technical/Scientific Co-ordinators of REGEN-LINK. More information: 6. REFERENCES - Donze, G.J., C. Boonstra, P. Nuiten, Potentials Solar Renovation: Tenants Benefits, 2000, EUROSUN 2000, Copenhagen, Denmark. - Donze, G.J., P. Nuiten, P. Rommens, PV and Existing Building Stock. Strategies towards large-scale introduction of PV in existing building stock by social housing owners, 2001, NORTHSUN 2001, Leiden, The Netherlands. - Ezquiaga, J.M., Peribañez, G., Barros, J., E.M.V. REGEN-LINK Common Task 7: Urban Sustainability, Policies, Personnel Motivation and Awareness, March 2002, internal REGEN- LINK report, Madrid - London. - Voss, K., Solar Renovation, Demonstration Projects Results and Experience, 2000, IEA- SHCP-Task 20, James&James publ.