How public real estate sets the stage towards a sustainable future

A research into the facts, possibilities, and challenges of sustainable real estate strategies for municipalities in the Netherlands

Master thesis (2019)

Authors

N. Hakenberg Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

A.C. den Heijer Real Estate Management - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
L.C.M. Itard Building Energy Epidemiology - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2019 Nienke Hakenberg
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Published Date

10-07-2019

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

Municipalities are aware that professionalizing their real estate management is necessary to become CO2 neutral before 2050 and that it even can create cost reduction and can add value in the long term. Many municipalities are now working on a specified portfolio identification while maintaining this portfolio. Some municipalities are ready to think about how to change their portfolio into one that is almost CO2 neutral. However, there are also municipalities that are struggling due to the lack of (energy) information of their portfolio and choosing the appropriate tools to help them achieve their goals. Some municipalities do work on the sustainability goal as seen at the benchmark of 2017, but here is also evident that around 25% of the public building stock is still categorized at label G, the worst label. Therefore the aim of the research is to provide insight into the facts, processes, possibilities, and challenges of sustainable strategies for municipalities to create an energy neutral real estate portfolio and given this national goal, provide a road map for municipalities. We can conclude from literature and case studies that there are special contracts, approaches, and guidelines municipalities can use to make their building portfolio energy neutral. However, there is not one uniform tool that can entirely transform the total building portfolio. So, the strategy tools need to be used for the right buildings at the right time with the right expertise and information. This approach needs to be in balance with the three added values of MREM, namely: political goals, financial policies, and user satisfaction. The considerations to set the pace of the energy transition is predominately based upon the financial possibilities, the amount of support of the council, the physical context, and the professionalization of the real estate department. The DAS-Framework and four C/P/MREM perspectives, used in the approach of the case studies, can help municipalities to structure and balance the values of the organization when making a sustainable strategy.