Urban renewal: strategies for high density residential suburbs regeneration
This article summarizes the main results of a research conducted by the University of Bologna, Department of Architecture, within the framework of the Research Program PRIN 2008, «Renovation, regeneration and valorisation of social housing settlements built in the suburban areas in the second half of last century». Once quantified the residential stock, a methodology for multidisciplinary analysis, applied to a specific case study (the district of Pilastro in Bologna), aimed at evaluating the different complementary aspects of building quality (social, functional, technical and environmental ones) was developed with the objective of formulating strategies of intervention and models aimed at reducing the problems detected.
Evaluation and Feasibility Study of Retrofitting Interventions on Social Housing in Italy
Abstract While there are an increasing number of new projects aiming at combining high residential quality and low power consumption, it is clear that the main challenge in the short term concerns the performance upgrading of the existing residential buildings stock. The feasibility analysis should consider the economic implications of the retrofit projects. A Disocunted Cash Flow analysis can be implemented in order to investigate the economic aspects of such interventions. The DCF approach allows the analysis of costs as well as the revenues and savings with the objective of understanding the period of time needed to recover the initial investment.
Buildings and Climate Change: Status, Challenges and opportunities
The building sector contributes up to 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from energy use during the life time of buildings. Identifying opportunities to reduce these emissions has become a priority in the global effort to reduce climate change. " Buildings and Climate Change " provides an overview of current knowledge about greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, and presents opportunities for their minimisation. The report describes sources and distribution of greenhouse gas emissions across different stages and functions of buildings, and the technical measures available for their reduction. Examples of policies and tools applied in different countries to improve energy efficiency in buildings are presented, as are selected case studies on initiatives to reduce energy use in buildings. This report also reviews the relevance of some regional and international agreements to the building sector to curb greenhouse gas emissions, in particular the Kyoto Protocol. A number of recommendations on how to progress the knowledge and understanding of this issue, and how to encourage action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings are also proposed. This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. UNEP would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as a source. No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from the United Nations Environment Programme. Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations Environment Programme concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Moreover, the views expressed do not necessarily represent the decision or the stated policy of the United Nations Environment Programme, nor does citing of trade names or commercial processes constitute endorsement. UNEP promotes environmentally sound practices globally and in its own activities. This publication is printed on Cyclus Offset recycled paper, using vegetable-based inks and other eco-friendly practices. Our distribution policy aims to reduce UNEP's carbon footprint. The UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) helps governments, local authorities and decision-makers in business and industry to develop and implement policies and practices focusing on …