CONTEXT
Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol in western Austria, is one of the largest urban agglomerations in the European Alps. The development of urban tourism and the commercialization of mountain landscapes have dominated the trend towards the creation of a postmodern leisure city for years. These dynamics have strongly influenced the real estate market, the city declares a ‘housing emergency’ and the need to boost affordable housing. Furthermore, 40% of energy consumption is accounted for the residential sector of Innsbruck, which competes for the highest share of installed fossil fuel-based heating systems in Austria and today also exacerbates the issue of energy poverty.
The provision of affordable and climate-friendly housing is thus a key challenge for the transition pathway in Innsbruck. From national to local policy targets and actions concern the increase of renewable energy supply, energy sufficiency, and energy efficiency especially by thermal renovation of buildings and phasing out oil and gas in heating systems, as well as promoting a socially just transition: e.g., Renewable Heat Act, Renovation offensive, campaign ‘raus aus Öl und Gas’, Tirol 2050 Energieautonom, Energieplan Innsbruck 2050.
OBJECTIVES
Next to the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies, an increase in energy efficiency (esp. thermal housing renovation) is inevitable to face climate change and to reach the EU’s energy and climate change targets. Energy efficiency in the EU must be improved by 32.5% by 2030 (Directive (EU) 2018/2002).
This case study is an illustration of how energy and housing policy issues can intersect. It focuses on the social impacts associated with energy-efficient building renovation and phasing out oil and gas in heating systems, which potentially translate into rent increases and side effects of green gentrification. Through this case study, TANDEM will learn about the various implications and impacts of these policies of the energy and heat transition on different stakeholders: state government, city, real estate entities, local civil organisations, chamber of labour, homeowners, tenants, local research hubs. It will also develop and evaluate alternatives with affected inhabitants.
FIRST RESULTS
Here we will share:
– Our communication material for the local communication campaign;
– The barrier free graph interpretation of the panels for this case study;
– The conclusions of the panels and surveys for this case study.
