The objective of the 3%-Project is the elaboration of model solutions for municipal renovation roadmaps. The effort is designed to enhance the energy efficiency potentials available at the neighborhood level and extent the building renovation rate of the total building stock. The project is funded by "EN:SYS - Energie", part of the federal government's energy-research program. The German Association for Housing, Urban and Spatial Development works in collaboration with the University of Applied Science Stuttgart, the Consulting- and Service Company Umwelt mbH and the cities of Aachen, Ludwigsburg and Mühltal near Darmstadt.

Long-term action-plan

Object of investigation is a long-term gradual realizably action plan on neighborhood level. Involved are energy efficiency solutions for districts with different building and ownership structures. Important are the following aspects:

• Maintenance and modernization cycles, building typologies, differentiation by age of building
• Cost-efficient and economic feasible modernization measures
• Technologies for modernization and adaption of the energy sector
• Appropriate financial and funding instruments
• Owners with heterogonous interests, motivations and capacities

Building renovation rate up to 3 per cent annually perused

Additionally, the renovation roadmap should include an outlook on future cost and technology trends. The target value conducts a renovation rate on 3 per cent average per year - a combination of individual measures and comprehensive refurbishment.  

The project examines the framework conditions and barriers, as well as instruments and methods to overcome them. Additionally, the partners will compile the scientific basics to transfer municipal renovation roadmaps to differently structured neighborhoods. Recommended actions will be identified to fill in gaps of knowledge and to prepare the practical application within the model neighborhoods. Further, the aim of the renovation roadmap is to integrate and mobilize building owner and key actors. This ensures the target group orientation of the recommended measures. It is of particular importance that those actors regard the roadmap as guide rail for investment planning and not as a coercive instrument.

Local Meetings and scientific board

Within the project, there will be several meetings at the study areas in Ludwigsburg, Aachen and Mühltal, including sessions of the local advisory council and local associations as well as festivities to enable low-treasured contact with relevant actors and inhabitants. Simultaneously, a scientific board should be launched.

Furthermore, the project is part of "Annex 63" of the international energy agency (IEA). Within the 3%-Project, the German Association for Housing, Urban and Spatial Development can refer to its former activities regarding energetic modernization of building and city structures.