Since 1 August, the internet portal for sustainable settlements and neighbourhoods has been offered under the domain www.siedlungen.eu and as a WordPress version with extended functions.
2:52 min, 9.11.2014
Project Info: http://sdg21.eu/db/hundertwasserhaus-in-wien
Keywords:
Greening / climate adaptation, Movies, Movies < 4 Min, News Blog Austria, Vienna
On the one hand, more and more old office buildings and office parks are losing their function. On the other hand, there is a great demand for living space in cities and agglomerations. This publication shows the opportunities, but also the difficulties, associated with the conversion of this particular building typology.
The conversion of office properties certainly represents only a very small and special segment of our urban development. But it deserves more attention, both in terms of the history behind this inconspicuous building task and in terms of the future potential that we are far from having exhausted. The conversion of this particular building stock is a serious alternative to demolition and new construction.
Seven practical examples show how diverse and varied office building conversion projects are. From historic individual properties to modern office districts, the framework conditions are often very different. However, it is precisely by dealing with the existing buildings that they can develop new qualities for their surroundings (Lyoner Viertel, Frankfurt; Büropark Seestern, Düsseldorf; O-Werk, Bochum; Goltsteinforum, Cologne; Beginenhof, Essen; Gerling Hochhaus, Cologne; Hochhaus an der Baierbrunner Straße, Munich).
The study commissioned by StadtBauKultur NRW was prepared in cooperation with the ILS - Institute for Regional and Urban Development Research.
Here you can download or order the publication:
www.stadtbaukultur.nrw.de/...
Keywords:
New books and studies
Bonn/Brussels. The development and environmental organisation Germanwatch welcomes the adoption of the European Investment Bank's new energy directive as an "important signal for the entire financial market". It stipulates the phase-out of financing fossil fuel projects by the end of 2021. The phase-out was also achieved thanks to a joint approach by the previously conflicting federal ministries.
"This decision sends an important signal to other development banks and the entire financial market. Financing fossil fuel projects that are not compatible with the Paris climate goals will become much more difficult overall," says Christoph Bals, Political Director of Germanwatch. He welcomes the fact that the environment and finance ministries have overcome the blockade by the economics ministry and, after weeks of disagreement, have finally agreed to the phase-out. "Fortunately, the German government managed at the last minute to avoid being seen as a blocker on climate protection at EU level this time."
As a member of the German government's Sustainable Finance Advisory Council, Bals is hoping that the council will present concrete recommendations in spring 2020 that will make Germany a leading location for sustainable finance and that are compatible with the Paris climate goals.
The Investment Bank's decision allows for exemptions to promote particularly energy-efficient gas-fired power plants beyond 2021. However, this is subject to the condition that credible plans are submitted for the subsequent primary use of climate-friendly renewable gases and that the specified emission caps are not exceeded. Germanwatch emphasises that this rule must now be made watertight. The exception must not become a major loophole.
Source: Germanwatch PM from 15 Nov. 2019
Keywords:
Procurement, Citizen Energy, DE-News, Renewable, Climate protection, Sustainable management, News Blog Europe (without DE), Transition Town, Environmental policy, Ecology, Economics
How people live and what mobility services they find in their surroundings determine the costs and the environmental balance of their daily journeys. Municipalities and companies can reduce housing costs with measures for sustainable mobility.
In Austria, a household spends an average of 5,100 euros a year on mobility, 95 percent of which is spent on the car. It pays to plan for mobility in housing construction and settlement development.
A housing location with walking distances and good infrastructure is the basis for lower transport costs. Since central plots of land are more expensive, mobility offers that help to keep the construction of underground garages or the land consumption for above-ground parking spaces low significantly reduce construction costs. At the same time, mobility offers that avoid the dependence on one's own car reduce the expenses for mobility.
From energy-saving house to transport-saving house
Significant progress has been made in the energy efficiency of residential buildings. However, climate-friendly mobility only plays a subordinate role in planning. However, residential projects need the integration of sustainable mobility concepts already in the planning stage. The concept of the energy-saving house must be further developed into a transport-saving house. The housing construction enables the right climate-friendly mobility offer for every way without the need for a car. Urban and spatial planning ensure short distances and a dense public transport network.
Every year, around 40,000 flats are built in new buildings in Austria. Eight out of ten everyday journeys begin or end at home. Where we live and what mobility services are available in the residential environment has a great influence on our mobility behaviour.
Including climate-friendly mobility in the planning of housing and settlement development reduces both construction costs and mobility costs.
"Instead of the obligation to build car parking spaces, offers for climate-friendly mobility should be created. In many places, expensively built underground car parks have a high vacancy rate."
Markus Gansterer, VCÖ Transport Policy
You can find the online version or download it here:
VCÖ Factsheet 2017-01
Keywords:
Car Free, Construction and operating costs, Bike-/Velo-City, Media, Mobility, New books and studies, News Blog Europe (without DE), News Blog Austria, Housing, Ecology, Economics
