Benchmarking energy performance: indicators and models for Dutch housing associations

Benchmarking is a method that can be used to measure progress and create awareness about the performance of organisations. Benchmarking the housing stock energy performance of Dutch housing associations can be used to measure and assess progress towards the decarbonisation of the housing stock. A new national climate agreement was signed in...

Industrialized renovation of the building envelope: realizing the potential to decarbonize the European building stock

Given the European building stock’s current size and state, its potential to be renovated up to an energy-neutral quality is getting much attention, contributing to energy transition and other sustainable and societal benefits. To tackle this potential, both the number of buildings that undergo renovation and the amount of the resulting energy...

Monitoring energy performance improvement: insights from Dutch housing association dwellings

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) enhanced the sustainable improvement of dwellings in the European Union. Member states formulated measurable goals to improve the housing stock, and monitoring systems were developed to give insights into the improvements. In the Netherlands, non-profit housing associations agreed to improve...

Impact of energy efficiency goals on systems of building regulations and control

Considerations of climate change, but also other political and economic reasons urge for the reduction of use of fossil fuels and the minimization of environmental impact by the built environment. The energy saving potential of the building stock is large and considered to be the most cost efficient sector to contribute to the CO2 reduction...

Obsolescence, conceptual model and proposal for case studies

What is obsolescence? There is a general understanding that buildings, similar to machinery, should be demolished and replaced when they become obsolete. The truth of this assertion is found problematic, as obsolescence is not clearly understood in conceptual or practical terms. Understanding obsolescence is important. It presents a serious...

Understanding obsolescence: A conceptual model for buildings

What is obsolescence? Numerous older buildings have been demolished due to being labelled as obsolete. There is a general understanding that buildings, similar to machinery and durable consumer goods, should be demolished and replaced when they become obsolete. The truth of this assertion is examined and found to be problematic, as obsolescence...

Building renovation: A new industry?

Based on construction economics, building economics and assessments of building service life, the renovation need of buildings is notably higher than the actual amount of building renovation. As energy saving renovations become more common, the volume of building renovation is forecast to grow even further. Building renovation suffers from both...

Real estate development for a chaning user market

The recent collapse of the non-residential real estate development & construction market rises the question, what the future demand will be for real estate space and how these will influence future development activities. The aim of this research is to provide a framework for stock-flow analysis and forecasting of real estate development (macro,...

Health issues and the building stock

Policies for improving energy efficiency in the European housing stock

According to EC forecasts, if energy efficiency could be increased 1% annually until 2010, two-thirds of the potential energy saving in the EU could be achieved. This would comply with 40% of the EU's Kyoto obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8% on the 1990 level by 2010-12, by cutting 200 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year....

Energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies in urban renewal

Environmental policies and efforts in social housing: The Netherlands