Despite the efforts made in the World and the Netherlands for the energy transition of the building stock, policies and research have been mainly focusing on housing, leaving the non-residential building stock lacking in keeping up an adequate pace and in need of additional efforts to catalyse its transition. The retail sector represents the highest share of the non-residential building stock, with shopping centres as the building typology with the highest energy retrofit potential. However, despite its potential, data gathered from previous research have demonstrated that the complex multi-stakeholder governance structure of these buildings makes the decision-making process for an EER difficult. Several barriers have already been identified in the literature about this issue. Yet, they are scattered and not identified within the decision-making process and the complex governance system of a shopping centre. Therefore, this research aimed to reveal stakeholders’ behaviours during the EER within a process perspective, finding the interrelationships between the different parties involved during the different steps of the process, and giving light on the areas that need to be addressed in other to guarantee a smoother process. To achieve it, exploratory qualitative research was carried out for which the following main research question is proposed: “How can retail owners support a better decision-making process to steer EERs of shopping centres?”. The methodology included a mixed approach between literature study and qualitative empirical research from three case studies of shopping centres in the Netherlands. The results demonstrate shopping centre owners have a crucial role in optimizing the EER decision-making process and overcoming barriers. Key recommendations for achieving optimal and holistic solutions that enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in shopping centres include developing a cohesive and integrated sustainability strategy, optimizing its governance structure, investing in centralized building data systems, addressing tenant-related barriers in EERs, and fostering collaboration among internal and external stakeholders, among others.

The relationship between the city and railway development is fascinating. In Europe, railway stations were originally placed at urban periphery. Step by step, as the urban dense core area expands outwards, the railway station areas were pulled in and now absorbed by the urban fabric. Because of large-scale and special facility form, Railway surrounding Area (RSA) always acts as a boundary breaking urban in pieces. The physical fragment and even social segregation lead to compromises in both urban operations and quality of urban environment. At the same time, ongoing trends of train station area redevelopment and ambition of tripling the current network (White Paper of Transport, EU) further exacerbate the seriousness of this problem. It is time to rethink our city's relationship with the Railway Surrounding Area (RSA). Can we solve those existing problems? Can we attach new meanings to a station and its facilities? Can we improve the pedestrian-friendly and livability around RSA for meeting the request for redevelopment? The Netherlands offers a valuable model- Since 1998, 6 major railway stations have started to be redeveloped. These projects which not only the stations are transformed, but also their connecting surroundings. A railway station and its surrounding were seen as one entirety to be designed. Whereas in China, The rapid development of high-speed railway is not only facing the request of technological updates and urban development in the city center, also are acting as a driving force to promote the new town growth in the rural area. In last 30 years, more than 800 stations were built up, new or upgraded. Even though China is the biggest railway construction site right now. But due to this very early stage of HSR and urban development in China, the impact is still blurred. The methods I adopted in this research is that by clarifying the multiple barrier elements and collecting the current design patterns, I can build up an interpret that how Dutch projects perceive and design connectivity issue in RSA. Then, based on the different context, the application of Dutch experience to China could be explored. The results obtained in this research include Barrier Elements Clarifying, Dutch experience summary and Application Design in Shanghai Station area. Hopefully, this research could contribute to solving the current physical fragment and social segregation problems around railway surrounding area, and also offer new thinking for railway area redevelopment, both theoretically and practically.

Belgium, one of the top four European countries with high per capita fossil fuel usage in buildings, has allocated 332 million for improving renovation subsidy schemes in the Flemish and Brussels-Capital regions. This funding aims to accelerate energy efficiency renovations (EERs) in residential buildings. However, financial constraints are not the only barriers to EERs. Governance presents a significant challenge, particularly for non-owner-occupied buildings. In Flanders, 29% of dwellings are rented, with 66% being privately rented. More than half of the rented homes in Flanders have an energy performance certificate D or even lower. Tenants in multi-family buildings encounter difficulties in meeting socially and materially required energy service levels. Renovating privately rented apartments can play a crucial role in achieving Belgium's energy efficiency targets and reducing energy bills for tenants facing energy poverty. Existing literature primarily focuses on identifying barriers for homeowners and governance issues related to energy-efficient building stock, but little research examines aligning policy instruments with these identified barriers. This study aims to explore how policy instruments can overcome barriers and help achieve Flemish energy efficiency targets while alleviating energy poverty. The research includes a literature review and semi-structured interviews, with a focus on incorporating the tenant perspective on EERs. Recommendations will be provided to the Flemish government to accelerate EERs in the private rental sector. To reach the energy efficiency targets, policy instruments should be implemented at the regional and municipal levels, involving distribution grid managers, banks, and other organizations. The Flemish government should create a stable environment for landlords, integrate energy poverty reduction targets into their strategy, and prioritize measurable regulatory interventions. Municipalities, such as Antwerp, should adapt to regional strategies and provide educational support in collaboration with energy houses. Market parties should develop business models that demonstrate the financial benefits of energy efficiency renovations to both landlords and tenants and offer temporary dwellings. By studying Flemish and European renovation strategies, analyzing barriers and policy instruments, and considering the Flemish context, this research aims to answer the question of how policy instruments can be implemented to achieve Flemish targets for energy efficiency renovations and reduce energy poverty in the private rental sector.

Due to rising energy prices, an increasing number of households are experiencing difficulties with the affordability of their energy bills. As a result, households are unable to heat or cool their homes, or use electrical appliances as desired. This is known as energy poverty. This research focuses on energy poverty within housing associations. As two-thirds of households experiencing energy poverty live in housing association homes, this research is specifically targeted at housing associations. The research examines the possible gap between what housing associations are doing to combat energy poverty for their tenants, and what tenants would like to see housing associations do for them. Since renovation is simply too expensive and takes several years, it is excluded from consideration. As a result, housing associations will need to take other measures to help their tenants. This research will look at these taken measures and provides recommendations to housing associations to reduce and possibly solve the gap between what they can do and what tenants want to happen. The main question of this thesis is: What can housing associations do to close the gap between them and their tenants in the social housing sector regarding combating energy poverty? This research will be carried out based on a qualitative study in which literature will be reviewed, and housing associations and tenant organisations will be interviewed. The aim is to identify the gap between what is desired by tenants and capable of housing associations and to draw up recommendations for housing associations to assist their tenants as well as possible. The recommendations of the research indicate that many of the gaps found during the comparison of the focus groups have to do with communication, both improving communication itself, and setting up communication between tenants and the association to reduce energy poverty.

Collaborations and partnerships between supplying parties are of great importance for adopting circular principles in the built environment and should be investigated within the development of circular supply chain management (CSCM). Therefore, the focus of this research is on collaboration opportunities within CSCM, where the need for active and dynamic actor networks, supply chain learning, future visions and circular business models will be discussed in more detail. During this research I worked together with the Municipality of Rotterdam through an internship. They also found research into collaboration opportunities within CSCM interesting and necessary. Besides, they added that they wondered what the role of the municipality could and should be in supporting (local) circular supply chain collaboration (CSCC) in order to scale up the circular renovation of the private housing stock in Rotterdam. Therefore, the ultimate goal of this research is advising the Municipality of Rotterdam on their position in this innovative process of CSCC. To achieve this goal, this research focusses on the following research question: How could CSCC be facilitated by municipalities to achieve upscaling of circular renovation of Dutch owner-occupied housing? First, an analysis into the state-of-the-art has been carried out, which has looked into the current circular construction and renovation concepts and principles being used in Europe, the Netherlands and the city of Rotterdam. Based on this analysis, the following research variables have been identified, which needed to be further investigated: adoption of innovations, actor networks, supply chain learning, future visions and circular business models. Second, a literature review is given of relevant theories and concepts related to these variables, which has identified the main research indicators that I wanted to use to reflect upon during and after the empirical part of the research (listed in the theoretical framework). Third, a stakeholder analysis has been carried out, consisting of two phases of semi-structured interviews, an (additional) internal survey and a focus group discussion. In the first interview phase, interviews were held with public parties, including municipalities, universities and knowledge institutions. In the second interview phase, interviews were held with private parties and civil organizations, including actors of different (local) market parties, branch organizations within the building sector and interest groups for homeowners. This analysis has resulted in four main barriers of CSCC in which the municipality could exert influence: insufficient internal integration, insufficient communication, insufficient realisation and insufficient facilitation. To find more clarity with regard to the first main barrier, an internal survey was circulated within the municipality, which provided more insights from a broader group of employees from different clusters and departments. The remaining three main barriers have been discussed within a focus group, where I have investigated from a management perspective whether the suggested opportunities in terms of (more) concrete strategies mentioned by different stakeholders, will work or not to solve these identified barriers and mismatches in practice. Fourth, the results of the stakeholder analysis have been compared with literature, examining the importance of obtained solutions for the identified mismatches in more detail. This has resulted in an advisory action plan for the Municipality of Rotterdam, which states that the municipality should act as a director and should focus more on the following main tasks: (1) Internal integration: stimulate and coordinate internal integration between colleagues, visions, ambitions and social challenges of different clusters and departments. (2) Communication: create an open, transparent and accessible local communication network between public and private parties, including the municipality, knowledge institutions, market parties, interest groups for homeowners and residents. (3) Realisation: implement developed circular and modular building and renovation ideas, principles and concepts, starting with designating municipal buildings and public space where the local market is given the opportunity to experiment. (4) Facilitation: offer various municipal (learning) tools to help the local market in the start-up phase, like (online) theme sessions, comprehensive courses and teaching programs/workshops. The full advice is drawn up on the basis of these four main tasks. Practical recommendations are given that could be a positive stimulus for CSCC to achieve upscaling of circular renovation of Dutch owner-occupied housing. These recommendations answer the main research question.

Following the Paris agreement and the agreements with the EU, the Dutch government has made their climate agreement with the goal for the whole built environment to be energy-neutral and free of natural gas by 2050. The Dutch government has tasked the municipalities to lead this process as they are the most suited party. The Dutch building stocks for housing consist of a substantial part of condominium associations where only 25% scores an energy label B. Especially in the bigger cities, the building stock consists of a large part out of condominium associations. As municipalities can not force them to renovate, they have a slow decision-making process, and there are complex ownership situations, the energy transition for condominium associations is a big challenge. This research focuses on the larger associations (6+ members) as group dynamics also start to play a role. This research aims to advise the municipalities on their approach and position in the energy transition for condominium associations. To achieve this goal, the research focusses on the following main research question: ‘How can municipalities enhance their approach for stimulating condominium associations to renovate their dwelling for the energy transition?’ First, to answer this question, a literature review was carried out to create the theoretical framework. The literature review looked at public policy, energy-efficient governance and different types of policy instruments governmental bodies can use to stimulate people. In addition to that, the literature review also looked at the customer journey of condominium associations. The review on the customer journey also includes transaction costs, collective decision-making processes and stakeholder analysis. With this literature review, two frameworks have been created. First, one framework has been created to study the approaches of different municipalities and one to discover the different barriers that condominium associations encounter in their process. Second, with the framework for the customer journey as a basis, the first round of interviews was held with actors close to condominium associations. This discovered where the barriers lie for condominium associations and what municipalities could do about that. This focuses on the three different types of barriers that condominium associations can encounter: transaction cost barriers, collective decision-making barriers, and barriers to comprehending and applying for the help of municipalities. Third, the second round of interviews was held with representative stakeholders to study Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht approaches. By looking at the research variables of the framework, it was possible to compare and analyse the approaches. From this analysis, lessons were drawn about the approaches of the municipalities and the barriers. Fourth, the barriers encountered by the condominium associations in Amsterdam were compared with the analysis of the approaches of the different municipalities to see if the approach of the municipality of Amsterdam could be enhanced. This piece of advice was generalized to enhance the approach of municipalities for stimulating condominium associations for the energy transition which states that: The municipalities should become the facilitator of the energy transition, and condominium associations should be assisted wherever they can be in the customer journey. Municipalities should look for ways to make this possible. Five tasks are given to do this; Instigating Municipalities should raise awareness and engage condominium associations to stimulate more condominium associations to renovate their building. Teaching. More adequate boards and well-functioning condominium associations must be created by ensuring basic understanding with condominium associations of what it means to be one. Guiding ans assisting. Municipalities must assist and help condominium associations in their customer journey to help them overcome barriers to ensure that more condominium associations finish their journey. Take away barriers. The municipalities should look for general barriers for all condominium associations and see if there are ways to make this process easier. Communication and Collaboration. To prevent them from all inventing the wheel, municipalities must start working together with market parties and each other. This collaboration helps with sharing and understanding the problems and barriers better. The full advice, together with practical recommendations, answers the main research question.

Renovation of existing buildings is proposed as a solution for buildings that do not fit the Climate Target Plan 2030. In the Netherlands, there is a new mandate requiring Dutch office buildings to attain a minimum EPC class C rating by January 1st, 2023. Recent studies indicate that 10% of Dutch office buildings are currently rated at EPC class D or lower, while numerous existing office buildings have yet to obtain an EPC rating. This situation necessitates a surge in renovation projects in the near future. However, a complex relationship exists between energy-efficient measures and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) post-renovation. Healthy buildings, characterised by adequate IEQ, contribute to heightened overall satisfaction and productivity among their occupants. This research is centred on crafting an advisory report aimed at guiding the decision-making process preceding office renovations for owners of Dutch owner-occupied offices. The following main research question relates to the goal of this research: “How can the renovation decision-making process, prior to renovation, of private owners of Dutch owner-occupied office buildings be guided with a focus on improving energy efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality?”. The objective is to surpass the EPC class C requirements while concurrently prioritising IEQ enhancements to boost employee satisfaction and productivity. To achieve this, several case studies were conducted through in-depth interviews with stakeholders involved in the renovation projects. This approach sought to gain insights into the decision-making processes of office owners prior to the execution of renovation practices. The findings of this research hold significance for those initiating future office renovation projects, project managers, and public authorities seeking strategies to accelerate the rate of energy-efficient and healthy office renovations. The study’s outcomes indicate that the decision-making process preceding office renovations can indeed be steered towards achieving both energy efficiency and improved IEQ. This can be accomplished through a comprehensive and cooperative approach that emphasises awareness, education, regulation, and financial security.