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H.J. Visscher
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110 records found
1
Beyond one-size-fits-all
Data-driven tenants personas for targeted intervention strategies in social housing renovation
The need to decarbonize the built environment has increased policy and research attention on large-scale energy-efficient renovations (EER) in the residential sector, particularly social housing. While technical pathways for such renovations are increasingly well-defined, successful implementation depends on an often underestimated factor: the human dimension. In practice, success depends not only on technical solutions but also on tenant consent and participation. In the Netherlands, social housing associations (HAs) are required to obtain consent from at least 70% of affected tenants before proceeding with impactful EER projects. Yet, current practice often relies on uniform consent and communication strategies, implicitly treating tenants as homogeneous despite wide variation in behavioural determinants, perceptions, and personal characteristics. Drawing on behavioural insights and a tailored survey among Dutch social housing tenants, this study develops a data-driven persona framework using Latent Class Analysis (LCA). The analysis identifies five benefit-based classes and seven barrier-based classes that capture systematic heterogeneity in comfort expectations, trust, perceptions of financial risk, transaction costs, and decision preferences. These probabilistic classes are translated into actionable personas that reflect tenants' differential receptiveness to information and engagement modes, thereby enabling practitioners and policymakers to better anticipate where non-agreement risks may emerge and to design targeted intervention strategies. The studies' main contribution lies in operationalizing behavioural heterogeneity as an implementation tool for consent-based governance. It provides a scalable method for designing differentiated, targeted intervention strategies, anticipating consent dynamics, and supporting more just and effective implementation of EER projects in social housing.
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The need to decarbonize the built environment has increased policy and research attention on large-scale energy-efficient renovations (EER) in the residential sector, particularly social housing. While technical pathways for such renovations are increasingly well-defined, successful implementation depends on an often underestimated factor: the human dimension. In practice, success depends not only on technical solutions but also on tenant consent and participation. In the Netherlands, social housing associations (HAs) are required to obtain consent from at least 70% of affected tenants before proceeding with impactful EER projects. Yet, current practice often relies on uniform consent and communication strategies, implicitly treating tenants as homogeneous despite wide variation in behavioural determinants, perceptions, and personal characteristics. Drawing on behavioural insights and a tailored survey among Dutch social housing tenants, this study develops a data-driven persona framework using Latent Class Analysis (LCA). The analysis identifies five benefit-based classes and seven barrier-based classes that capture systematic heterogeneity in comfort expectations, trust, perceptions of financial risk, transaction costs, and decision preferences. These probabilistic classes are translated into actionable personas that reflect tenants' differential receptiveness to information and engagement modes, thereby enabling practitioners and policymakers to better anticipate where non-agreement risks may emerge and to design targeted intervention strategies. The studies' main contribution lies in operationalizing behavioural heterogeneity as an implementation tool for consent-based governance. It provides a scalable method for designing differentiated, targeted intervention strategies, anticipating consent dynamics, and supporting more just and effective implementation of EER projects in social housing.
Explaining policy implementation gap by policy network analysis
Evidence from China's energy renovation project quality failures
As climate change becomes a global concern, policymakers and practitioners are paying increasing attention to low carbon development in urban building zones. Among various measures, energy-saving renovations of existing residential buildings have become among the most vital developments for reducing carbon emissions in China. However, Quality failures—such as improper installation of steel nails or missing rivets defined as completed work that does not comply with prescribed technical standards—occur frequently during construction processes. These quality failures, representing a gap in policy implementation for residential building energy renovations, have received relatively little academic attention. This research seeks to address this gap by applying policy-network analysis to two case studies of renovation projects in Inner Mongolia in China, examining how actor interdependencies and adoption of policy instruments contribute to quality failures. The findings indicate that market-based policy instruments incur significant administrative costs, thereby impeding the maintenance of project quality. Additionally, mandatory policy instruments frequently lead to goal displacement at various governmental levels, further compromising the quality of energy renovation projects. Conversely, involving residents as a voluntary policy instrument can alleviate financial pressures on local governments while enhancing oversight of renovation quality. Nonetheless, this approach may impose financial burdens on economically disadvantaged groups. Based on these results, it is recommended that the government adopt a nuanced combination of policy instruments to minimize quality failures and realise the energy-efficiency potential of residential renovation initiatives.
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As climate change becomes a global concern, policymakers and practitioners are paying increasing attention to low carbon development in urban building zones. Among various measures, energy-saving renovations of existing residential buildings have become among the most vital developments for reducing carbon emissions in China. However, Quality failures—such as improper installation of steel nails or missing rivets defined as completed work that does not comply with prescribed technical standards—occur frequently during construction processes. These quality failures, representing a gap in policy implementation for residential building energy renovations, have received relatively little academic attention. This research seeks to address this gap by applying policy-network analysis to two case studies of renovation projects in Inner Mongolia in China, examining how actor interdependencies and adoption of policy instruments contribute to quality failures. The findings indicate that market-based policy instruments incur significant administrative costs, thereby impeding the maintenance of project quality. Additionally, mandatory policy instruments frequently lead to goal displacement at various governmental levels, further compromising the quality of energy renovation projects. Conversely, involving residents as a voluntary policy instrument can alleviate financial pressures on local governments while enhancing oversight of renovation quality. Nonetheless, this approach may impose financial burdens on economically disadvantaged groups. Based on these results, it is recommended that the government adopt a nuanced combination of policy instruments to minimize quality failures and realise the energy-efficiency potential of residential renovation initiatives.
From policy to practice
Evaluating public-led energy renovation processes in Belgian condominiums -lessons from five Flemish case studies
Energy renovations in multi-owner residential buildings are a critical but complex component of Europe's decarbonization strategy. Co-owned condominiums face challenges related to collective decision-making, technical complexity, legal rigidity, and financial risk. Across Europe, national and regional governments have launched support structures, most notably one-stop shops, to guide co-owners through the renovation process and to bridge technical, financial, and organizational gaps. In the Belgian region Flanders, the Flemish Energy and Climate Agency has launched a subsidized Renovation Master Plan to overcome these barriers by facilitating one-stop shops that provide neutral renovation advice (Energy Houses), and engineering and architectural consultancies (Study Offices) to support condominiums throughout the renovation process. This article investigates how this Public-Led Approach operates in practice by analysing five real-life condominium renovation projects across three cities: Antwerp, Mechelen, and Ostend. Based on case studies, interviews with co-owners and relevant stakeholders, and analysis of project reports, this study explores this policy instrument with the aim of optimizing its effectiveness and exploring its potential for replication in other EU member states. The findings show that successful energy renovations are not just a matter of technical planning or financial subsidies. Progress depends on how public actors build trust, coordinate fragmented stakeholders, and adapt their business models to diverse ownership structures and renovation pathways. We argue that replicating and scaling such Public-Led Approaches requires sustained local engagement, institutional flexibility, and public-private collaborations. The findings can inform policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in developing effective and targeted Publicly-Led Integrated home renovation services in the EU.
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Energy renovations in multi-owner residential buildings are a critical but complex component of Europe's decarbonization strategy. Co-owned condominiums face challenges related to collective decision-making, technical complexity, legal rigidity, and financial risk. Across Europe, national and regional governments have launched support structures, most notably one-stop shops, to guide co-owners through the renovation process and to bridge technical, financial, and organizational gaps. In the Belgian region Flanders, the Flemish Energy and Climate Agency has launched a subsidized Renovation Master Plan to overcome these barriers by facilitating one-stop shops that provide neutral renovation advice (Energy Houses), and engineering and architectural consultancies (Study Offices) to support condominiums throughout the renovation process. This article investigates how this Public-Led Approach operates in practice by analysing five real-life condominium renovation projects across three cities: Antwerp, Mechelen, and Ostend. Based on case studies, interviews with co-owners and relevant stakeholders, and analysis of project reports, this study explores this policy instrument with the aim of optimizing its effectiveness and exploring its potential for replication in other EU member states. The findings show that successful energy renovations are not just a matter of technical planning or financial subsidies. Progress depends on how public actors build trust, coordinate fragmented stakeholders, and adapt their business models to diverse ownership structures and renovation pathways. We argue that replicating and scaling such Public-Led Approaches requires sustained local engagement, institutional flexibility, and public-private collaborations. The findings can inform policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in developing effective and targeted Publicly-Led Integrated home renovation services in the EU.
Preparing for lower-temperature heating
A multi-criteria decision-making framework for energy renovations of existing Dutch dwellings
Journal article
(2026)
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Prateek Wahi, Vera Koster, Martin J. Tenpierik, Henk Visscher, Thaleia Konstantinou
Transitioning existing dwellings to lower temperature heating (LTH) is crucial for achieving the Dutch goal of making 1.5 million homes gas-free (i.e., independent of natural gas-based heating) by 2030. This transition often necessitates energy renovations, which present significant decision-making challenges in selecting appropriate solutions. Consequently, this study introduces a systematic framework based on multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach to support selecting suitable renovation options for preparing Dutch dwellings for LTH supplied by sustainable heating systems. The framework is methodically developed by generalising typical steps from existing literature and identifying essential decision-making aspects for framework development. It was then theoretically tailored to the specific context of LTH-ready renovations. The framework involves six steps: data collection and benchmarking, evaluating LTH readiness, establishing decision-making preferences and generating renovation solutions, filtering LTH feasible options, quantifying their performance, and ranking them using the TOPSIS method. Furthermore, the theoretical framework was applied to a case study of a multi-family social house (MFH) in the Netherlands to demonstrate its practical usability and to incorporate real-world context in decision-making. While the framework's applicability has been validated for this specific case, further application across different contexts is necessary to generalise its usability. The proposed framework comprehensively evaluates renovation solutions needed to transition to LTH based on environmental, economic, and social criteria, thereby addressing energy poverty and occupant comfort concerns. This supports stakeholders in making informed decisions and accelerating energy renovations for a decarbonised built environment.
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Transitioning existing dwellings to lower temperature heating (LTH) is crucial for achieving the Dutch goal of making 1.5 million homes gas-free (i.e., independent of natural gas-based heating) by 2030. This transition often necessitates energy renovations, which present significant decision-making challenges in selecting appropriate solutions. Consequently, this study introduces a systematic framework based on multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach to support selecting suitable renovation options for preparing Dutch dwellings for LTH supplied by sustainable heating systems. The framework is methodically developed by generalising typical steps from existing literature and identifying essential decision-making aspects for framework development. It was then theoretically tailored to the specific context of LTH-ready renovations. The framework involves six steps: data collection and benchmarking, evaluating LTH readiness, establishing decision-making preferences and generating renovation solutions, filtering LTH feasible options, quantifying their performance, and ranking them using the TOPSIS method. Furthermore, the theoretical framework was applied to a case study of a multi-family social house (MFH) in the Netherlands to demonstrate its practical usability and to incorporate real-world context in decision-making. While the framework's applicability has been validated for this specific case, further application across different contexts is necessary to generalise its usability. The proposed framework comprehensively evaluates renovation solutions needed to transition to LTH based on environmental, economic, and social criteria, thereby addressing energy poverty and occupant comfort concerns. This supports stakeholders in making informed decisions and accelerating energy renovations for a decarbonised built environment.
Multi-level social capital effects on residents
Residents’ cooperative behavior in neighborhood renewal in China
Journal article
(2025)
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Ruopeng Huang, Queena K. Qian, Guiwen Liu, Kaijian Li, Henk J. Visscher, Xinyue Fu, Wenshun Wang
China has recently shown great enthusiasm for developing neighborhood renewal, and good cooperation within resident groups is the key to successful implementation. Residents’ cooperative behavior is easily influenced by social relationships among residents, which are referred to as resident-level social capital. Further, resident-level social capital is influenced by the neighborhood effects, known as neighborhood-level social capital. However, few studies examined the impact of social capital on residents’ behavior from the perspective of both resident-level and neighborhood-level. This paper aims to examine the multilevel social capital that influence residents’ cooperative behavior in China. Using social capital theory and the theory of planned behavior, this study collects questionnaire survey data from 1039 residents in 98 neighborhood renewal projects in China. The results from multilevel structural equation modeling suggest that residents’ social capital can directly influence residents’ cooperative behavioral intention. The variability of neighborhood-level social capital and the impact of multidimensional social capital were examined. The findings of this study have strengthened the explanatory power of the theory of planned behavior and expanded the application scope of social capital theory. The results provide a more cultural and historical perspective, that is, resident relationships, for promoting cooperation among residents in neighborhood renewal.
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China has recently shown great enthusiasm for developing neighborhood renewal, and good cooperation within resident groups is the key to successful implementation. Residents’ cooperative behavior is easily influenced by social relationships among residents, which are referred to as resident-level social capital. Further, resident-level social capital is influenced by the neighborhood effects, known as neighborhood-level social capital. However, few studies examined the impact of social capital on residents’ behavior from the perspective of both resident-level and neighborhood-level. This paper aims to examine the multilevel social capital that influence residents’ cooperative behavior in China. Using social capital theory and the theory of planned behavior, this study collects questionnaire survey data from 1039 residents in 98 neighborhood renewal projects in China. The results from multilevel structural equation modeling suggest that residents’ social capital can directly influence residents’ cooperative behavioral intention. The variability of neighborhood-level social capital and the impact of multidimensional social capital were examined. The findings of this study have strengthened the explanatory power of the theory of planned behavior and expanded the application scope of social capital theory. The results provide a more cultural and historical perspective, that is, resident relationships, for promoting cooperation among residents in neighborhood renewal.
Mapping barriers to strategies
A dynamic stakeholder–stage framework for nearly zero energy buildings
Although Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) offer a clear path to reducing energy use and carbon emissions, different stakeholder groups face numerous barriers at four stages of implementation. Existing reviews catalog these barriers but lack precise stakeholder–stage alignment and fail to match each barrier with its most effective mitigation strategy. We reviewed 89 publications, identified 42 barriers and nine strategy categories, and applied Simple Correspondence Analysis (SCA) to quantify the couplings between barriers and strategies based on the consensus in the literature. We then developed a barrier–strategy mapping and prioritization framework to identify the dominant academic strategies associated with each barrier. The results show: (1) barriers shift from early financing–policy frictions to later human–technology frictions; (2) 90 % of barriers link to at least one highly significant strategy; (3) information coordination gaps and frequent design changes show no significant coupling with any mitigation strategy. The framework offers three values: (1) Practical guidance: it provides clear, stage‑specific guidance for barrier identification and strategy selection; (2) Theoretical foundation: it lays a structured basis for context‑sensitive empirical studies across regions, project types, and scales, enabling localized validation and optimization of the NZEB barrier–strategy model; (3) Mapping paradigm: this study proposes a strategy–barrier mapping paradigm grounded in systematic literature consensus. It provides a structured basis for selecting and prioritizing strategies across diverse regional conditions, project typologies, and real-world applications.
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Although Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) offer a clear path to reducing energy use and carbon emissions, different stakeholder groups face numerous barriers at four stages of implementation. Existing reviews catalog these barriers but lack precise stakeholder–stage alignment and fail to match each barrier with its most effective mitigation strategy. We reviewed 89 publications, identified 42 barriers and nine strategy categories, and applied Simple Correspondence Analysis (SCA) to quantify the couplings between barriers and strategies based on the consensus in the literature. We then developed a barrier–strategy mapping and prioritization framework to identify the dominant academic strategies associated with each barrier. The results show: (1) barriers shift from early financing–policy frictions to later human–technology frictions; (2) 90 % of barriers link to at least one highly significant strategy; (3) information coordination gaps and frequent design changes show no significant coupling with any mitigation strategy. The framework offers three values: (1) Practical guidance: it provides clear, stage‑specific guidance for barrier identification and strategy selection; (2) Theoretical foundation: it lays a structured basis for context‑sensitive empirical studies across regions, project types, and scales, enabling localized validation and optimization of the NZEB barrier–strategy model; (3) Mapping paradigm: this study proposes a strategy–barrier mapping paradigm grounded in systematic literature consensus. It provides a structured basis for selecting and prioritizing strategies across diverse regional conditions, project typologies, and real-world applications.
In response to the European Green Deal's climate neutrality objectives, the Netherlands introduced the National Climate Agreement ("Klimaatakkoord"), which sets ambitious long term targets for reducing national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with the building sector as a critical focus. For Dutch Social Housing, which accounts for a third of the residential housing sector in the Netherlands, stricter mandates apply in the short term: all social housing units with suboptimal EFG energy labels must be upgraded to higher standards by 2028. Despite these ambitious targets, the renovation practices of Dutch Housing Associations (HAs) are stagnating, raising doubts as to whether this goal can be achieved. Dutch HAs act in a complex environment, and their decision-making process is influenced by institutional arrangements, stakeholder interactions, and market conditions, which create uncertainties and barriers in determining effective pathways for energy-efficient renovation (EER). Understanding these barriers is crucial to formulating effective strategies, such as targeted incentives or behavioural nudges, to enhance EER adoption. This article presents a conceptual framework for understanding and analysing barriers of Dutch HAs to EER adoption. It includes a literature review on the institutional context of Dutch HAs, outlines the typical EER decision-making process, and identifies barriers documented in existing research and expert interviews. The results from the interviews with four Dutch HA show practical applicability and insights into barriers. Mayor barriers lie in institutional compliance and interaction with tenants. The conceptual framework contributes to a deeper understanding of decision-making barriers of EER projects and offers insights to guide policy interventions and future research on promoting EER in the social housing sector.
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In response to the European Green Deal's climate neutrality objectives, the Netherlands introduced the National Climate Agreement ("Klimaatakkoord"), which sets ambitious long term targets for reducing national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with the building sector as a critical focus. For Dutch Social Housing, which accounts for a third of the residential housing sector in the Netherlands, stricter mandates apply in the short term: all social housing units with suboptimal EFG energy labels must be upgraded to higher standards by 2028. Despite these ambitious targets, the renovation practices of Dutch Housing Associations (HAs) are stagnating, raising doubts as to whether this goal can be achieved. Dutch HAs act in a complex environment, and their decision-making process is influenced by institutional arrangements, stakeholder interactions, and market conditions, which create uncertainties and barriers in determining effective pathways for energy-efficient renovation (EER). Understanding these barriers is crucial to formulating effective strategies, such as targeted incentives or behavioural nudges, to enhance EER adoption. This article presents a conceptual framework for understanding and analysing barriers of Dutch HAs to EER adoption. It includes a literature review on the institutional context of Dutch HAs, outlines the typical EER decision-making process, and identifies barriers documented in existing research and expert interviews. The results from the interviews with four Dutch HA show practical applicability and insights into barriers. Mayor barriers lie in institutional compliance and interaction with tenants. The conceptual framework contributes to a deeper understanding of decision-making barriers of EER projects and offers insights to guide policy interventions and future research on promoting EER in the social housing sector.
Intermediaries in Action
How Integrated Home Renovation Service Providers Engage Stakeholders in Energy Renovations for Homeowner Associations
Across Europe, homeowner associations (HOAs) are increasingly recognised as pivotal entities in the energy renovation of condominiums, which are essential for achieving the EU's energy efficiency targets. However, the success of such renovations hinges on the active involvement and effective collaboration of diverse stakeholders throughout the renovation journey, from project initiation to post-renovation operation. This paper aims to map stakeholders involved in energy renovations supported by intermediaries for HOAs, categorise their roles, and analyse their relationships to better understand collaboration dynamics. By investigating these stakeholder interactions, the study seeks to identify opportunities for improving stakeholder engagement, optimising IHRS coordination, and unburdening HOAs throughout the renovation process. Using an iterative approach that combines desk research, focus groups, and interviews, this study identifies the relationships between renovation intermediaries and potential stakeholders for condominium renovations. The findings of this study highlight that successful energy renovations require the involvement and effective coordination of multiple stakeholders. Achieving comprehensive condominium renovations necessitates a public-private collaboration, ensuring that all financial, technical, and regulatory aspects are adequately addressed. The findings provide actionable insights for intermediaries such as one-stop shops, policymakers, renovation service providers, and HOAs, enabling them to enhance collaborative frameworks, streamline processes, and develop strategic actions. By strengthening public-private cooperation, these insights support the efficient implementation of energy renovations and the unburdening of HOAs throughout the renovation journey. This study contributes to the development of integrated renovation pathways that are efficient, scalable, and sustainable.
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Across Europe, homeowner associations (HOAs) are increasingly recognised as pivotal entities in the energy renovation of condominiums, which are essential for achieving the EU's energy efficiency targets. However, the success of such renovations hinges on the active involvement and effective collaboration of diverse stakeholders throughout the renovation journey, from project initiation to post-renovation operation. This paper aims to map stakeholders involved in energy renovations supported by intermediaries for HOAs, categorise their roles, and analyse their relationships to better understand collaboration dynamics. By investigating these stakeholder interactions, the study seeks to identify opportunities for improving stakeholder engagement, optimising IHRS coordination, and unburdening HOAs throughout the renovation process. Using an iterative approach that combines desk research, focus groups, and interviews, this study identifies the relationships between renovation intermediaries and potential stakeholders for condominium renovations. The findings of this study highlight that successful energy renovations require the involvement and effective coordination of multiple stakeholders. Achieving comprehensive condominium renovations necessitates a public-private collaboration, ensuring that all financial, technical, and regulatory aspects are adequately addressed. The findings provide actionable insights for intermediaries such as one-stop shops, policymakers, renovation service providers, and HOAs, enabling them to enhance collaborative frameworks, streamline processes, and develop strategic actions. By strengthening public-private cooperation, these insights support the efficient implementation of energy renovations and the unburdening of HOAs throughout the renovation journey. This study contributes to the development of integrated renovation pathways that are efficient, scalable, and sustainable.
Towards sustainable development
Analyzing policy frameworks and barriers in China's green construction transition
Green construction transforms traditional construction practices by prioritizing energy efficiency, environmental protection, and long-term sustainability. With the construction sector accounting for 36 % of global energy consumption and 37 % of energy-related CO2 emissions, the critical and systematic analyses of policy-based initiatives driving green construction and implementation barriers in China remain critically needed. This study addresses these gaps through a comprehensive mixed-method approach, incorporating extensive analysis of 189 publications, complemented by 9 in-depth interviews with experienced professionals (each with over 10 years of expertise). Key contributions include: (1) development of a multi-dimensional policy classification framework analyzing administrative, economic, and technological perspectives; (2) Systematic identification of five major implementation barriers through expert validation using Delphi methodology; (3) Successful international case studies are examined to offer comparative insights and targeted policy recommendations for China. This study also identifies key barriers and formulates practical solutions through a multi-stakeholder lens, integrating interview findings to enhance the relevance and applicability of the recommendations. The innovations encompass the integrated literature-expert triangulation framework for China's green construction policy assessment, combining policy document analysis with stakeholder validation to ensure robust findings. The study reveals critical policy gaps in interdepartmental coordination, financial mechanisms, and public engagement, while proposing actionable strategies including enhanced assessment systems, improved policy coherence, and expanded financial access. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for policymakers to accelerate China's construction industry transition toward carbon neutrality goals.
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Green construction transforms traditional construction practices by prioritizing energy efficiency, environmental protection, and long-term sustainability. With the construction sector accounting for 36 % of global energy consumption and 37 % of energy-related CO2 emissions, the critical and systematic analyses of policy-based initiatives driving green construction and implementation barriers in China remain critically needed. This study addresses these gaps through a comprehensive mixed-method approach, incorporating extensive analysis of 189 publications, complemented by 9 in-depth interviews with experienced professionals (each with over 10 years of expertise). Key contributions include: (1) development of a multi-dimensional policy classification framework analyzing administrative, economic, and technological perspectives; (2) Systematic identification of five major implementation barriers through expert validation using Delphi methodology; (3) Successful international case studies are examined to offer comparative insights and targeted policy recommendations for China. This study also identifies key barriers and formulates practical solutions through a multi-stakeholder lens, integrating interview findings to enhance the relevance and applicability of the recommendations. The innovations encompass the integrated literature-expert triangulation framework for China's green construction policy assessment, combining policy document analysis with stakeholder validation to ensure robust findings. The study reveals critical policy gaps in interdepartmental coordination, financial mechanisms, and public engagement, while proposing actionable strategies including enhanced assessment systems, improved policy coherence, and expanded financial access. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for policymakers to accelerate China's construction industry transition toward carbon neutrality goals.
Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) are widely seen as a key pathway to achieving energy efficiency and decarbonization in the building sector. Although subsidies in some regions of China cover most explicit costs, large-scale adoption remains limited. The main reason lies in the significant hidden costs borne by stakeholders due to multi-stage certification systems, emerging technologies, and complex policies. Despite their impact, these costs are underexplored in current research. To address this, this study applies transaction cost theory and interviews 23 NZEB experts to identify hidden costs, then develops mitigation strategies validated by 12 experts and a focus group, yielding a three-tier roadmap. It makes three contributions: 1) It introduces a replicable “stage–stakeholder–cost” framework to analyze hidden costs in NZEB practices; 2) It identifies 36 transaction cost items and maps cost flows across 11 stakeholder groups, providing a model for visualizing procedural frictions in complex building environments; 3) It targets major transaction cost bottlenecks and, drawing on international experience, proposes and validates strategies to reduce hidden costs, offering a roadmap for China and other emerging markets.
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Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) are widely seen as a key pathway to achieving energy efficiency and decarbonization in the building sector. Although subsidies in some regions of China cover most explicit costs, large-scale adoption remains limited. The main reason lies in the significant hidden costs borne by stakeholders due to multi-stage certification systems, emerging technologies, and complex policies. Despite their impact, these costs are underexplored in current research. To address this, this study applies transaction cost theory and interviews 23 NZEB experts to identify hidden costs, then develops mitigation strategies validated by 12 experts and a focus group, yielding a three-tier roadmap. It makes three contributions: 1) It introduces a replicable “stage–stakeholder–cost” framework to analyze hidden costs in NZEB practices; 2) It identifies 36 transaction cost items and maps cost flows across 11 stakeholder groups, providing a model for visualizing procedural frictions in complex building environments; 3) It targets major transaction cost bottlenecks and, drawing on international experience, proposes and validates strategies to reduce hidden costs, offering a roadmap for China and other emerging markets.
Active resident engagement and effective organizer management are crucial for participatory neighborhood rehabilitation. Yet, existing public participation research focuses on residents, leaving the behaviors of organizers and their influence on outcomes less examined. Furthermore, most renewal studies treat the rehabilitation process as homogeneous and static, overlooking how stakeholders’ objectives, strategies, and actions evolve throughout the project lifecycle. To address these gaps, this paper employs stakeholder theory to propose the Stakeholder Influence Model (SIM), which investigates the multifaceted influence of stakeholders on resident participation across different phases of neighborhood rehabilitation. Drawing on 44 in-depth interviews and a four-month participant observation in Wuhan, China, deductive content analysis reveals stakeholders’ distinct influence strategies and both stimulating or disincentivizing effects on resident engagement. Specifically, indirect local government involvement, excessive delegation to neighborhood committees, and imbalanced power dynamics among residents are identified, jeopardizing the fairness, inclusiveness, and long-term viability of rehabilitation initiatives. By highlighting diverse stakeholders’ evolving impacts, this study advances current understanding of participatory urban renewal. The proposed SIM provides a robust framework for analyzing stakeholder interactions and informs policy interventions aimed at fostering more equitable and inclusive urban rehabilitation in China.
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Active resident engagement and effective organizer management are crucial for participatory neighborhood rehabilitation. Yet, existing public participation research focuses on residents, leaving the behaviors of organizers and their influence on outcomes less examined. Furthermore, most renewal studies treat the rehabilitation process as homogeneous and static, overlooking how stakeholders’ objectives, strategies, and actions evolve throughout the project lifecycle. To address these gaps, this paper employs stakeholder theory to propose the Stakeholder Influence Model (SIM), which investigates the multifaceted influence of stakeholders on resident participation across different phases of neighborhood rehabilitation. Drawing on 44 in-depth interviews and a four-month participant observation in Wuhan, China, deductive content analysis reveals stakeholders’ distinct influence strategies and both stimulating or disincentivizing effects on resident engagement. Specifically, indirect local government involvement, excessive delegation to neighborhood committees, and imbalanced power dynamics among residents are identified, jeopardizing the fairness, inclusiveness, and long-term viability of rehabilitation initiatives. By highlighting diverse stakeholders’ evolving impacts, this study advances current understanding of participatory urban renewal. The proposed SIM provides a robust framework for analyzing stakeholder interactions and informs policy interventions aimed at fostering more equitable and inclusive urban rehabilitation in China.
Dutch householders' intentions to adopt shallow geothermal systems for energy transition of existing buildings
A theory of planned behavior approach
This study explores Dutch homeowners' intentions to adopt shallow geothermal solutions for the energy transition in existing buildings, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework. Through a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative elicitation interviews with 20 homeowners and a quantitative survey of 800 representative Dutch households, the study identifies key psychological and socio-demographic factors influencing adoption intentions. The findings indicate that approximately 33% of surveyed homeowners express intention to adopt geothermal technology within the next five years. Structural Equation Modeling reveals that attitudes toward geothermal technology and subjective norms significantly influence adoption intentions, while perceived behavioral control has no significant impact on intention. Economic benefits and environmental protection emerge as the strongest attitudinal drivers, with uncertainty about investment payback periods acting as the primary barrier. Normative influences from environmental advocates, suppliers, and community members also strongly shape adoption intentions. Among socio-demographic factors, higher energy cost-to-income ratios, higher income levels, and homeowners’ association membership positively influence adoption intentions, while age shows a negative correlation. These insights provide evidence-based guidance for policymakers to develop targeted interventions addressing specific psychological barriers experienced by different homeowner segments, potentially accelerating the transition to renewable heating systems in the Netherlands' existing housing stock.
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This study explores Dutch homeowners' intentions to adopt shallow geothermal solutions for the energy transition in existing buildings, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework. Through a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative elicitation interviews with 20 homeowners and a quantitative survey of 800 representative Dutch households, the study identifies key psychological and socio-demographic factors influencing adoption intentions. The findings indicate that approximately 33% of surveyed homeowners express intention to adopt geothermal technology within the next five years. Structural Equation Modeling reveals that attitudes toward geothermal technology and subjective norms significantly influence adoption intentions, while perceived behavioral control has no significant impact on intention. Economic benefits and environmental protection emerge as the strongest attitudinal drivers, with uncertainty about investment payback periods acting as the primary barrier. Normative influences from environmental advocates, suppliers, and community members also strongly shape adoption intentions. Among socio-demographic factors, higher energy cost-to-income ratios, higher income levels, and homeowners’ association membership positively influence adoption intentions, while age shows a negative correlation. These insights provide evidence-based guidance for policymakers to develop targeted interventions addressing specific psychological barriers experienced by different homeowner segments, potentially accelerating the transition to renewable heating systems in the Netherlands' existing housing stock.
Making energy renovations equitable
A literature review of decision-making criteria for a just energy transition in residential buildings
Energy renovation of residential buildings is a key strategy for a just energy transition, involving complex socio-technical challenges and increasingly requiring attention to social implications and equity. However, what constitutes just energy renovations remains undefined and often limited to more abstract conceptualizations, lacking a field-specific definition, with integrated, implementation-oriented guiding strategies. Limiting the scope to developed countries, this study systematically reviews 104 interdisciplinary studies on energy renovation that consider social and resident dimensions. The literature is analysed through a synthesised framework of energy and spatial justice theories, adapting the principles of recognition, procedural, and distributive justice to residential environments and energy renovation requirements. Firstly, the study provides a comprehensive overview of socially oriented renovation research, demanding greater attention to vulnerable contexts, stakeholders' dynamics, design and post-renovation phases, through iterative, co-creative field research. Secondly, the study identifies critical domains, subdomains and related (in)justice trajectories within the three justice principles, offering context-sensitive application pathways and highlighting the relevance of beyond-energy-efficiency aspects and trust-building strategies. This results in a flexible framework of decision-making criteria that align environmental and social needs, supporting researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. Achieving justice requires interconnected mechanisms across decision-making levels and renovation phases, that rely on collaborative mutual-learning dynamics among actors. To complement strategic policies, design and implementation criteria emerged as crucial for ensuring effective engagement and user-centred interventions. This study contributes to validating energy justice as a decision-making guide, demonstrating the added value from spatial justice integration for a just urban transition, and laying fertile ground for further empirical research.
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Energy renovation of residential buildings is a key strategy for a just energy transition, involving complex socio-technical challenges and increasingly requiring attention to social implications and equity. However, what constitutes just energy renovations remains undefined and often limited to more abstract conceptualizations, lacking a field-specific definition, with integrated, implementation-oriented guiding strategies. Limiting the scope to developed countries, this study systematically reviews 104 interdisciplinary studies on energy renovation that consider social and resident dimensions. The literature is analysed through a synthesised framework of energy and spatial justice theories, adapting the principles of recognition, procedural, and distributive justice to residential environments and energy renovation requirements. Firstly, the study provides a comprehensive overview of socially oriented renovation research, demanding greater attention to vulnerable contexts, stakeholders' dynamics, design and post-renovation phases, through iterative, co-creative field research. Secondly, the study identifies critical domains, subdomains and related (in)justice trajectories within the three justice principles, offering context-sensitive application pathways and highlighting the relevance of beyond-energy-efficiency aspects and trust-building strategies. This results in a flexible framework of decision-making criteria that align environmental and social needs, supporting researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. Achieving justice requires interconnected mechanisms across decision-making levels and renovation phases, that rely on collaborative mutual-learning dynamics among actors. To complement strategic policies, design and implementation criteria emerged as crucial for ensuring effective engagement and user-centred interventions. This study contributes to validating energy justice as a decision-making guide, demonstrating the added value from spatial justice integration for a just urban transition, and laying fertile ground for further empirical research.
Advancing energy renovations through digitalisation
A critical review of EU policies and instruments
This paper provides a holistic overview of the evolution of policies towards digitalising energy renovation processes in the European Union (EU). Since the European Green Deal initiative in 2019, EU policies have been increasingly addressing the digitalisation of the building industry to enable evidence-based decisions when tackling environmental challenges. To better understand the development(s) since, this paper integrates a structured policy analysis approach and critically reviews 31 EU policy documents on digitalisation and/or energy renovation. The analysis identified a growing number of policy instruments aimed at supporting a robust use of data, to, among others, improve decision-making and information sharing throughout the energy renovation process. These include Energy Performance Certificate, Building Renovation Passport, Smart Readiness Indicators, Level(s), Digital Building Logbook, Digital Product Passport, Digital Twin, Building Information Modelling, and Digital Permitting. While each of these nine instruments can independently facilitate decision-making on sustainable and/or smart renovations, they also project a significant degree of complementarity between each other. To that, this paper presents the Digital Energy Renovation Framework, which comprehensively synthesises the (inter)relationships between the proposed policy instruments with respect to facilitating energy renovation processes. A key finding is that the integration between the Building Renovation Passport and a data-rich Digital Building Logbook is fundamental to maximise the impact on decision-making throughout the renovation process. To achieve this, ensuring coherence and interoperability of data throughout the renovation value chain is crucial, with the standardisation of data formats and protocols being essential for effective data gathering and processing across these instruments.
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This paper provides a holistic overview of the evolution of policies towards digitalising energy renovation processes in the European Union (EU). Since the European Green Deal initiative in 2019, EU policies have been increasingly addressing the digitalisation of the building industry to enable evidence-based decisions when tackling environmental challenges. To better understand the development(s) since, this paper integrates a structured policy analysis approach and critically reviews 31 EU policy documents on digitalisation and/or energy renovation. The analysis identified a growing number of policy instruments aimed at supporting a robust use of data, to, among others, improve decision-making and information sharing throughout the energy renovation process. These include Energy Performance Certificate, Building Renovation Passport, Smart Readiness Indicators, Level(s), Digital Building Logbook, Digital Product Passport, Digital Twin, Building Information Modelling, and Digital Permitting. While each of these nine instruments can independently facilitate decision-making on sustainable and/or smart renovations, they also project a significant degree of complementarity between each other. To that, this paper presents the Digital Energy Renovation Framework, which comprehensively synthesises the (inter)relationships between the proposed policy instruments with respect to facilitating energy renovation processes. A key finding is that the integration between the Building Renovation Passport and a data-rich Digital Building Logbook is fundamental to maximise the impact on decision-making throughout the renovation process. To achieve this, ensuring coherence and interoperability of data throughout the renovation value chain is crucial, with the standardisation of data formats and protocols being essential for effective data gathering and processing across these instruments.
Critical factors for effective resident participation in neighborhood rehabilitation in Wuhan, China
From the perspectives of diverse stakeholders
Resident participation is essential for neighborhood rehabilitation. It requires the active involvement of residents and efficient management by organizers. To improve the effectiveness of resident participation, it is necessary to understand the critical success factors (CSFs) underlying it. However, previous research has examined the critical factors from a single-stakeholder perspective, overlooking potential differences in perceptions among stakeholders with diverse roles and rehabilitation experiences. Based on 30 interviews and 255 questionnaires from six stakeholder groups in Wuhan, China, this study explores how the perception of critical factors for effective resident participation varies among local government, community-based organization, designer, contractor, consulting party, and resident. Thirty-seven factors were identified and compared among the stakeholders. Financial Incentive (for participation organizers) was identified as the most critical factor for effective resident participation, followed by Information Disclosure and Transparency, and Trust. Results from the analysis of variance (ANOVA) show that the six groups differed significantly in the importance of most factors (25/37), especially in Participant Education and Prejudice against the Working Group. Interview results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic and rehabilitation experience changed stakeholders’ perceived importance of some factors. Specifically, in future RP initiatives, extra emphasis could be placed on Trait and Capacity (of the working group) and Participation-assistance Technologies. Stakeholders regarded these two factors as more critical as their rehabilitation experience accumulated. By understanding stakeholders' conflicting and changing perceptions of effective resident participation, suggestions were proposed to each stakeholder group to fulfill their distinct participation objectives and improve the overall effectiveness of participation practices.
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Resident participation is essential for neighborhood rehabilitation. It requires the active involvement of residents and efficient management by organizers. To improve the effectiveness of resident participation, it is necessary to understand the critical success factors (CSFs) underlying it. However, previous research has examined the critical factors from a single-stakeholder perspective, overlooking potential differences in perceptions among stakeholders with diverse roles and rehabilitation experiences. Based on 30 interviews and 255 questionnaires from six stakeholder groups in Wuhan, China, this study explores how the perception of critical factors for effective resident participation varies among local government, community-based organization, designer, contractor, consulting party, and resident. Thirty-seven factors were identified and compared among the stakeholders. Financial Incentive (for participation organizers) was identified as the most critical factor for effective resident participation, followed by Information Disclosure and Transparency, and Trust. Results from the analysis of variance (ANOVA) show that the six groups differed significantly in the importance of most factors (25/37), especially in Participant Education and Prejudice against the Working Group. Interview results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic and rehabilitation experience changed stakeholders’ perceived importance of some factors. Specifically, in future RP initiatives, extra emphasis could be placed on Trait and Capacity (of the working group) and Participation-assistance Technologies. Stakeholders regarded these two factors as more critical as their rehabilitation experience accumulated. By understanding stakeholders' conflicting and changing perceptions of effective resident participation, suggestions were proposed to each stakeholder group to fulfill their distinct participation objectives and improve the overall effectiveness of participation practices.
From acceptance to continuance
Understanding the influence of initial participation experience on residents' intentions to continue participation in neighborhood rehabilitation
In the context of increasing focus on social sustainability, neighborhood rehabilitation has emerged as a crucial component of global urban renewal initiatives. Distinct from most renewal paradigms that are usually one-offs, neighborhood rehabilitation is a long-term endeavor that requires ongoing resident participation to effectively address diverse needs, investment shortages, and governance challenges. Extant research predominantly focuses on residents' initial engagement, leaving the dynamics of continued participation and its influencing factors largely unexamined. Employing the Expectation-Confirmation Model (ECM), this study explores how residents' initial participation experiences influence their intentions to continue participation. Analyzing questionnaire responses from 367 experienced residents in Wuhan, China, the study finds that a mere 38.2 % of residents exhibit re-engage intention. Path analysis shows that initial participation experience influences residents' re-engage intention indirectly through participation satisfaction and perceived usefulness. Residents' re-engage intention is most influenced by level of influence residents hold in decision-making, followed by type of activities they engage in, and stage of their initial involvement. As an exploratory study into the realm of continued participation, this research uncovers several potential pathways and policy recommendations, aiming to ease residents' transition from initial acceptance to sustained engagement in future neighborhood development efforts.
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In the context of increasing focus on social sustainability, neighborhood rehabilitation has emerged as a crucial component of global urban renewal initiatives. Distinct from most renewal paradigms that are usually one-offs, neighborhood rehabilitation is a long-term endeavor that requires ongoing resident participation to effectively address diverse needs, investment shortages, and governance challenges. Extant research predominantly focuses on residents' initial engagement, leaving the dynamics of continued participation and its influencing factors largely unexamined. Employing the Expectation-Confirmation Model (ECM), this study explores how residents' initial participation experiences influence their intentions to continue participation. Analyzing questionnaire responses from 367 experienced residents in Wuhan, China, the study finds that a mere 38.2 % of residents exhibit re-engage intention. Path analysis shows that initial participation experience influences residents' re-engage intention indirectly through participation satisfaction and perceived usefulness. Residents' re-engage intention is most influenced by level of influence residents hold in decision-making, followed by type of activities they engage in, and stage of their initial involvement. As an exploratory study into the realm of continued participation, this research uncovers several potential pathways and policy recommendations, aiming to ease residents' transition from initial acceptance to sustained engagement in future neighborhood development efforts.
Buildings in the EU consume around 40 % of energy and are responsible for 36 % of greenhouse gas emissions. This necessitates building energy renovations as a coping strategy for energy reduction. Residential buildings consume about 27 % of the energy use in Europe. Multifamily residential buildings, known as condominiums, feature individually owned apartments and are managed by Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs). HOAs constitute a considerable percentage of the owners of the residential sector in Europe. However, the deep energy renovation rate is still low due to the complex process and the barriers faced by HOAs. There is a lack of understanding of the main barriers to undertaking deep energy renovation projects by HOAs and their potential solutions. Therefore, this paper investigates barriers, incentives, and possible solutions that motivate HOAs to undertake deep energy renovation projects. This study employs a combination of qualitative methods, including archival research, the gathering of information through observations at meetings organized by the EU, four interviews, and a workshop with eleven experts. This exploration was conducted from the perspective of three actors: home renovation providers, public authorities, and policymakers in the Netherlands and Flanders. The barriers are grouped under four categories, namely: financial, legal, social, and technical. The findings indicate that communication, cost, and legal structure are the most significant barriers. The incentives play a vital role only in the early phases of the renovation. The findings can inform policymakers, energy practitioners, and researchers in developing targeted strategies for successfully implementing deep renovation projects for HOAs.
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Buildings in the EU consume around 40 % of energy and are responsible for 36 % of greenhouse gas emissions. This necessitates building energy renovations as a coping strategy for energy reduction. Residential buildings consume about 27 % of the energy use in Europe. Multifamily residential buildings, known as condominiums, feature individually owned apartments and are managed by Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs). HOAs constitute a considerable percentage of the owners of the residential sector in Europe. However, the deep energy renovation rate is still low due to the complex process and the barriers faced by HOAs. There is a lack of understanding of the main barriers to undertaking deep energy renovation projects by HOAs and their potential solutions. Therefore, this paper investigates barriers, incentives, and possible solutions that motivate HOAs to undertake deep energy renovation projects. This study employs a combination of qualitative methods, including archival research, the gathering of information through observations at meetings organized by the EU, four interviews, and a workshop with eleven experts. This exploration was conducted from the perspective of three actors: home renovation providers, public authorities, and policymakers in the Netherlands and Flanders. The barriers are grouped under four categories, namely: financial, legal, social, and technical. The findings indicate that communication, cost, and legal structure are the most significant barriers. The incentives play a vital role only in the early phases of the renovation. The findings can inform policymakers, energy practitioners, and researchers in developing targeted strategies for successfully implementing deep renovation projects for HOAs.
Evaluating building-level parameters for lower-temperature heating readiness
A sampling-based approach to addressing the heterogeneity of Dutch housing stock
The Dutch government aims to eliminate natural gas for residential heating in 1.5 million homes by 2030. One strategy is connecting existing dwellings to lower-temperature district heating (DH) systems, although these dwellings might require energy renovations. The heterogeneous dwelling stock causes varying renovation needs that complicate the energy transition. The present study addresses this issue by assessing the building-level parameters affecting the readiness of the Dutch terraced-intermediate and apartment types for lower-temperature heating (LTH) supplied by DH systems. A sampling-based approach was employed to capture variability within these dwelling types, addressing the limitations of archetype-based methods. The findings suggest a sample size of 1300 to represent the variations in these dwelling types. Parametric simulations and machine learning methods were used to identify significant building-level parameters for medium-temperature (MT: 70/50 °C) and low-temperature (LT: 55/35 °C) supply levels. These include heating setpoints (desired indoor temperature) and ventilation-related parameters (ventilation system type and air infiltration rate), followed by fabric-related parameters (roof, glazing, wall, ground, and door insulation) and geometric properties (orientation, compactness ratio, and window-to-wall ratio). Additionally, radiator oversizing also impacts LTH readiness. These results broadly apply to the studied dwelling types, although feature importance varies by supply temperature and dwelling type. The findings can guide stakeholders in assessing current conditions and prioritising renovation measures, aiding the development of targeted renovation solutions. Encompassing the representative variations within studied dwelling types enhances the robustness of the results. However, incorporating more refined data could improve the accuracy of the findings, better supporting the energy transition of these dwellings.
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The Dutch government aims to eliminate natural gas for residential heating in 1.5 million homes by 2030. One strategy is connecting existing dwellings to lower-temperature district heating (DH) systems, although these dwellings might require energy renovations. The heterogeneous dwelling stock causes varying renovation needs that complicate the energy transition. The present study addresses this issue by assessing the building-level parameters affecting the readiness of the Dutch terraced-intermediate and apartment types for lower-temperature heating (LTH) supplied by DH systems. A sampling-based approach was employed to capture variability within these dwelling types, addressing the limitations of archetype-based methods. The findings suggest a sample size of 1300 to represent the variations in these dwelling types. Parametric simulations and machine learning methods were used to identify significant building-level parameters for medium-temperature (MT: 70/50 °C) and low-temperature (LT: 55/35 °C) supply levels. These include heating setpoints (desired indoor temperature) and ventilation-related parameters (ventilation system type and air infiltration rate), followed by fabric-related parameters (roof, glazing, wall, ground, and door insulation) and geometric properties (orientation, compactness ratio, and window-to-wall ratio). Additionally, radiator oversizing also impacts LTH readiness. These results broadly apply to the studied dwelling types, although feature importance varies by supply temperature and dwelling type. The findings can guide stakeholders in assessing current conditions and prioritising renovation measures, aiding the development of targeted renovation solutions. Encompassing the representative variations within studied dwelling types enhances the robustness of the results. However, incorporating more refined data could improve the accuracy of the findings, better supporting the energy transition of these dwellings.
Residential energy retrofitting projects in the hot summer and cold winter (HSCW) zone of China face various risks related to project activities, which incur transaction costs (TCs), such as search, negotiation, and monitoring costs. As the leader in project implementation, the Chinese government is responsible for project planning, organisation, and coordination. However, TCs impede the government’s ability to execute risk-related project activities effectively, subsequently increasing the probability of the occurrence of risk. Drawing on transaction cost economics (TCE), this study proposes a theoretical framework to understand the barriers—such as asset specificity, uncertainty, and frequency—that prevent the government from performing project activities and mitigating risks effectively. An artificial neural network (ANN) is applied to verify the hypotheses. The results underscore experience and operational maturity in project activities, cost and time constraints, and the immature retrofitting market as significant impediments to the government’s execution of risk-related activities. Considering the varying roles of the government in reducing different risks, this study concludes by offering policy recommendations to alleviate these activity barriers and mitigate risks. By employing a TCs perspective, this study not only identifies key barriers but also deepens our understanding of risk mitigation mechanisms, providing robust policy insights tailored to the specific regional context of China, thereby enhancing both the execution and the framework of government-led retrofitting projects.
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Residential energy retrofitting projects in the hot summer and cold winter (HSCW) zone of China face various risks related to project activities, which incur transaction costs (TCs), such as search, negotiation, and monitoring costs. As the leader in project implementation, the Chinese government is responsible for project planning, organisation, and coordination. However, TCs impede the government’s ability to execute risk-related project activities effectively, subsequently increasing the probability of the occurrence of risk. Drawing on transaction cost economics (TCE), this study proposes a theoretical framework to understand the barriers—such as asset specificity, uncertainty, and frequency—that prevent the government from performing project activities and mitigating risks effectively. An artificial neural network (ANN) is applied to verify the hypotheses. The results underscore experience and operational maturity in project activities, cost and time constraints, and the immature retrofitting market as significant impediments to the government’s execution of risk-related activities. Considering the varying roles of the government in reducing different risks, this study concludes by offering policy recommendations to alleviate these activity barriers and mitigate risks. By employing a TCs perspective, this study not only identifies key barriers but also deepens our understanding of risk mitigation mechanisms, providing robust policy insights tailored to the specific regional context of China, thereby enhancing both the execution and the framework of government-led retrofitting projects.