The Dutch residential building sector must transition toward energy-efficient renovations
to address climate change and reduce energy consumption. However, the early design phase,
where critical decisions about energy renovation scenarios are made, often presents significant
challenges. Project developers face issues such as unclear prioritization of decision criteria and
inefficient processes for evaluating and comparing renovation alternatives. These challenges
frequently lead to delays and hinder the selection of optimal solutions.
This research aims to identify and address the key problems in the decision-making process
during the early design phase of residential energy renovations. The central research question is: “How can the decision-making process in the early design phase of energy renovations in residential buildings be improved to enable project developers to make efficient decisions that consider environmental, economic, and social factors?”
The study identifies critical bottlenecks in the early design process, such as fragmented
criteria selection and the absence of a systematic approach for evaluating renovation scenarios. A structured decision-support framework is proposed, focusing on defining relevant criteria, integrating stakeholder inputs, and ranking alternatives using a balanced and transparent weighting method. The added value of this framework lies in enabling project developers to make quicker, well-informed decisions by simplifying complex processes and clarifying priorities.
While a computational tool may be developed as a final product, this research prioritizes
understanding and improving the decision-making process itself. Validation through a case study ensures practical applicability and relevance to the challenges faced by project developers.
By providing a systematic and innovative approach to decision-making, this study enables
faster and more practical decision-making processes. It contributes to the efficient planning and execution of energy renovations in residential buildings, supporting the sector’s transition to sustainability and climate resilience.

Climate change is happening, and the consequences of it are becoming increasingly visible. Climate goals have been set in the Paris Agreement to stop climate change. The goal in the Netherlands is to reduce emissions in 2030 by 55% and achieve net zero by 2050.

An essential element in achieving these goals is the energy transition. These goals can only be achieved if everybody contributes to this energy transition This also means that underprivileged neighbourhoods will have to participate.

Several research projects have been performed on governance, but few or none have focused on governance issues concerning energy transition in underprivileged neighbourhoods so far. Therefore, a knowledge gap exists regarding the governance arrangements in the energy transition in underprivileged neighbourhoods.

The exploratory approach was chosen. A case study was performed in the neighbourhood Bospolder-Tussendijken. Data was gathered by performing a desk study and conducting thirteen interviews with directly involved stakeholders and experts. The data gathered have been used to analyse the decision-making process using the IAD framework, the four-layer model, and the energy justice decision-making principles. Furthermore, the seven basic elements of governance arrangements have been addressed.

In the neighbourhood of Bospolder-Tussendijken, the energy transition is focused on the disconnection of natural gas and towards the connection of a district heating grid. On the neighbourhood level, three major players are present, the municipality of Rotterdam, Havensteder and Eneco, who came to an area agreement. This impacted the decision-making since the alternative and the project area were decided. The decision-making between these parties is influenced by the Climate Agreement, subsidies and the collaboration agreement with energy-related stakeholders in the neighbourhood.

However, this did not result in a completely just energy transition. The influence of neighbourhood residents on the decision-making process was negligible, and the information provision towards residents was mainly project-focused. Everyone who lived within the project area could connect to the district heating grid. The coupling between gas and heat prices is troubling, even more because Eneco asks for the maximum tariff the ACM allows. This affects the affordability, especially in this poor neighbourhood. Next to this, the project costs were much higher than expected. District heating can be considered more sustainable than natural gas. Compared with alternative solutions, it does not cover the cooling needs during summer.

To perform a more just energy transition, a governance arrangement is proposed with changes made on the national, municipal, and neighbourhood levels.
The higher levels of government could take more decisive and consistent positions.
On the municipal level, municipalities are advised to revise their transition visions heat.
On the neighbourhood level, residents should be involved by letting them clarify their position. They can get involved by educating about the energy transition. The active citizens should get a seat at the decision-making table.

With this proposed governance arrangement, a more just and efficient energy transition could be performed in underprivileged neighbourhoods. This research provides multiple additions to the current debate about a just energy transition.