How can Wuppertal become a climate-neutral city by 2035? This question is discussed by the Wuppertal Institute in this new study, which was presented by Lord Mayor Uwe Schneidewind on 1.7.2021.
The whole study as pdf online:
https://wupperinst.org/…Klimaneutral_Wuppertal_2035.pdf
On 31 March 2020, the European Commission awarded the European Heritage Label to the Werkbundsiedlungen in Stuttgart, Brno, Wroclaw, Vienna and Prague.
From 1927 to 1932, 6 European Werkbund housing estates were built, which tested the industrialization of building through prefabrication and at the same time new forms of social coexistence:
1927 Werkbundsiedlung Stuttgart, Weißenhofsiedlung
1928 Werkbundsiedlung Brno, Nový Dům (New House)
1929 Werkbundsiedlung Breslau, WUWA
1932 Werkbundsiedlung Vienna, currently being revitalised
1932 Werkbundsiedlung Neubühl, Zurich-Wollishofen
1932/33 Werkbundsiedlung Prague, Baba
The Werkbund housing estates have had a significant influence on the development of architecture in the 20th century. They form a European cultural asset of exceptional standing and are still the subject of intellectual and design debates today; they exemplarily reflect the political-social developments and ruptures of the 20th century in Europe. In their entirety, the Werkbund housing estates are outstanding testimonies to the common roots of modernity.
A cross-border network, initiated to a large extent by the state capital Stuttgart in 2013, is intended to ensure the preservation of the settlements and to convey the significance of the emergence of modern architecture as a joint European achievement.
Detailed information in werkbund.brief 57
Keywords:
Awards, DE-News, European Heritage Label, News Blog Baden-Württemberg, News Blog Europe (without DE), News Blog Switzerland, News Blog Austria, Settlements, Aesthetics / Architecture / Building Culture
On the costs of modernisation measures for tenants
In November 2016, the Working Group on Tenancy Law in the RAV published the brochure "Price Driver Modernization" was published. It describes in detail the problematic effects of modernisation measures on tenants. In addition, the authors criticise the legal situation and call for fundamental new regulations under tenancy law.
Keywords:
Construction and operating costs, Stock, DE-News, New books and studies, Housing policy
The boom in the bicycle trade, which has been ongoing for years, continued in 2018. As reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on the occasion of World Health Day on 7 April, the retail trade in bicycles, parts and accessories recorded an increase in sales of 11.9 % in real terms in 2018 compared to the previous year.
880,000 electric bikes imported into Germany
The trend towards electric bicycles with a rated continuous power of up to 250 watts is reflected in foreign trade: 880,000 electric bicycles with a total value of 789.6 million euros were imported to Germany in 2018. This corresponded to an increase in volume of 32.3 % compared to 2017. With a share of 23 % of the total imports of electric bicycles to Germany, Hungary was the most important importing country. Other important supplier countries were Vietnam with a share of 17.2 % and the Netherlands with 10.2 %.
Prices for conventional bikes are rising faster than prices for electric bikes
Consumers had to spend more money on pedelecs and e-bikes in 2018 than three years previously: between 2015 and 2018, prices in this market segment rose by 1.8 %. However, prices rose less sharply than consumer prices overall in this period (+3.8 %). In comparison, prices for bicycles without an electric motor rose by an above-average 4.5 % between 2015 and 2018.
Opportunity for bargains outside of the cycling season
Whether with or without an electric motor: consumer prices for bicycles fluctuate slightly depending on the time of year. Bicycles are cheaper around the turn of the year than in summer. If you are looking for good value for money, you can buy cheaper on average outside the cycling season.
Source: Press release of the Federal Statistical Office from 3 April 2019
Keywords:
Stakeholders, Bike-/Velo-City, DE-News, Climate protection, Mobility, Sustainable management, Ecology
Sustainable development in Germany is inconceivable without a resource-efficient construction industry. The new expert recommendation VDI-EE 4802 Sheet 1 explains in a practical way how to apply the concept of resource efficiency in the life cycle of buildings. To this end, it breaks down the tasks and scope for action of the individual players in the construction process. Using examples of increased material, energy and space efficiency, the expert recommendation supports the entire planning process towards a resource-efficient building.
Modern construction must be sustainable, and keep the many different aspects in mind: the use as well as the costs, the consumption of resources and the cultural background. The energy used for new buildings and facilities must be planned precisely, and the subsequent energy requirements must also be calculated in such a way that they can be met with as little input as possible. Last but not least, the construction processes themselves should also be resource-efficient. In Germany, the Resource Efficiency Program (ProgRess) exists for this purpose.
Aim of the expert recommendation VDI-EE 4802 Sheet 1 is to enable those involved in construction to design their building projects in a resource-efficient manner, and in particular to minimise the use of fossil energy raw materials and the emission of greenhouse gases. The aim is to achieve an optimal, contemporary compromise between economic efficiency and sustainability.
Resource efficiency can be planned and measured. The VDI has developed the VDI 4800 series of guidelines which contains basic principles and methodology, strategies and evaluation procedures. The new VDI expert recommendation VDI-EE 4802 Sheet 1 fleshes out the contents of the directive and helps with its application in practice. The expert recommendation is aimed at those responsible in the construction and real estate industry, politics and administration.
VDI-EE 4802 Sheet 1 provides guidance on the determination of resource efficiency, which results from the determination of the quantitative use of resources. In this sheet, the spatial level of a building is considered, primarily for residential and non-residential buildings, as well as temporary buildings. Further sheets of the expert recommendation will deal with resource efficiency in neighbourhoods or cities.
Publisher of the VDI expert recommendation VDI-EE 4802 Sheet 1 "Resource Efficiency in Construction - Buildings" is the VDI Society for Construction and Building Technology (GBG). The expert recommendation was published in March 2021 and can be ordered at a price starting at EUR 110.90 from Beuth Verlag. Online orders can be placed at www.vdi.de/4802 or www.beuth.de possible. VDI members receive a 10 percent discount on all VDI guidelines. VDI guidelines can be ordered in many public display free of charge.
Technical contact:
Dr. Frederike Wittkopp
VDI Society for Construction and Building Technology (GBG)
Phone: +49 211 6214-466
Email: wittkopp@vdi.de
Keywords:
DE-News, Faktor X / ResScore, Resource efficiency
