Sweco develops 2050 blueprint for sustainable home renovation in Flanders
In the global fight against climate change, the year 2050 marks a pivotal horizon. International agreements designed to make the predicted climate transition manageable have established objectives that permeate down to the local level. Under the guidance of BeReel, Flemish cities and municipalities are also striving to meet these ambitious targets. By 2050, all homes in Flanders, whether newly built or existing, must boast an EPC A-label. As a consulting firm, Sweco is actively involved in crafting the roadmap that paves the way to this ultimate goal.
Vision image of collective neighborhood renovation Ter Elst, from ‘Klimaatcontract Leuven’ on behalf of the City of Leuven and Leuven 2030
This ambitious initiative is addressed at every tier. The Flemish government, through the Renovation Pact, is pushing for an increased renovation rate within the housing sector, outlining action plans that span short, medium, and long-term horizons. This strategy involves a (social) policy framework that incentivizes homeowners and landlords with grants and mandatory renovation requirements. Cities and municipalities are charged with the task of communicating these incentives, fostering awareness, disseminating information, and tracking progress. In collaboration with the Energy Houses, they provide tangible support to homeowners and homeowner associations in the planning and implementation of renovation projects. Sweco’s experts are instrumental, offering insights into the current landscape and charting viable routes towards successful heritage renovation.
Sweco has formulated a monitoring trajectory for each municipality, forecasting progress for each legislative term through to 2050. This enables city and municipal leaders to verify their trajectory to climate neutrality, both per legislative term and on an annual basis.
Michèle Jacobs, project manager
Where and How to Start?
In partnership with Plannr, Sweco has devised a methodology that enables cities and municipalities to swiftly and effectively assess their current standing. This initial assessment, or baseline measurement, is critical for local governments to monitor their progress.
The requisite data for this baseline is predominantly within the purview of the cities and municipalities themselves, sourced from land registries, building permits, and other databases. Often, this data is disparate and lacks integration. Sweco’s professionals have assisted these localities in identifying pertinent data and have amalgamated it within a sophisticated calculation tool.
This tool accounts for the diversity of building types in the housing inventory. The needs of apartment buildings contrast with those of terraced or detached homes. Heritage properties necessitate a distinct approach compared to contemporary structures. Detailed plans reveal energy performance metrics at both the neighborhood and street level.
The Sweco data model, organized into four quadrants for each municipality, assesses the feasibility and impact of each measure, ranging from straightforward, low-effort initiatives to those that are more challenging and potentially less impactful.
Miechel De Paep, specialist engineer
Outlining a Long-Term Strategy
Building on the baseline data, Sweco has formulated a monitoring trajectory for each municipality, forecasting progress for each legislative term through to 2050. This enables city and municipal leaders to verify their trajectory, both per legislative term and on an annual basis.
All potential measures that local authorities can implement to secure an EPC A-label by 2050 are compiled into a comprehensive database. The Sweco data model, organized into four quadrants for each municipality, assesses the feasibility and impact of each measure, ranging from straightforward, low-effort initiatives to those that are more challenging and potentially less impactful. This tool aids cities and municipalities in evaluating their capabilities and in drafting their long-term renovation strategies. Yearly reviews and analyses will indicate if and where the pre-established monitoring plans need refinement.
Sweco executed this component of the project through a pilot with five municipalities. The project has matured to its optimum methodology through a process of iterative refinement.
From Insight to Action
The principal responsibility of cities and municipalities under the renovation pact is to engage in outreach and to impart information to their constituents. It is imperative that they fully grasp the methodology and long-term strategic plan, inclusive of all potential measures.
Sweco’s specialists, in collaboration with the VVSG, VEKA, and the Flemish Cities Knowledge Center, elucidate the local long-term renovation strategies in a series of six masterclasses. These sessions engage participants from the fourteen central Flemish cities, an additional five cities and municipalities, four intermunicipalities, and the province of Limburg. Beyond these masterclasses, a comprehensive guide will continue to steer local authorities through the methodology, monitoring paths, measures database, and the overarching long-term strategy.
Shaping a Sustainable Future Together
Transitioning to an energy-efficient Flanders is an intricate challenge that demands collective action. Sweco is dedicated to equipping cities and municipalities with pragmatic tools and lucid strategies. By fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing, we can render the 2050 objectives attainable. Through meticulous planning and commitment, we are taking decisive steps toward an energy-neutral Flanders, where each dwelling contributes to a more sustainable and habitable environment for all.
