EMPOWER CITIZENS

The urban development project "Empower Citizens" is based on the hypothesis that an active and low-threshold influence on the social space enables the empowerment of technical innovations and investments as well as changes in user behaviour in the urban space. The subject of the project is the participatory implementation of integrative low-cost energy management solutions and innovative building and energy technologies, as well as new financing and business models for modernisation / refurbishment of existing eco-social housing in the small town of Pinkafeld in southern Burgenland.

The aim of the urban development project is to increase the quality of life and eco-social sustainability in housing without patronising the residents. Through participatory activities that are developed in harmony with the residents, the aim is to raise awareness of technical problems and communicate interrelationships. The active involvement of residents and the consideration of different aspects of sustainability (health, social, economic, ecological) form the basis for the development of integral solutions, which are subsequently implemented. Three pilot buildings in Pinkafeld were identified for the study and subsequent implementation. A total of 31 flats are located in these pilot buildings, which are currently mainly supplied by municipal district heating. The building structure was subjected to a comprehensive as-built survey in order to analyse the pilot buildings for technical, social and health-related implementation options.

Planned project results:

• Development of a simple, retrofittable low-cost energy management system in social housing
• Realistic solutions for the implementation of active social space design for small towns with a high multiplier effect
• Well-founded, experimentally recorded statements on the potential and usability of active social space influence for modernisation in eco-social housing, in order to support the implementation of innovative technologies and solution approaches
• Documentation of experiences, barriers and success factors