Each country in NWE uses different standards with respect to sustainability of buildings. Most of these are focused on new construction. The partnership will work towards a joint approach of sustainable renovation and develop common criteria. Sustainable renovated buildings contribute to CO2 neutrality by saving energy; use natural energy sources; reduce drinking-water use; have sustainable building materials; respect the cultural and architectural values and comply with the demands generated by climate change

Five example buildings, in five countries, will be renovated sustainably. The partners have different expertise and will advise each other on the renovation of these demonstration buildings. The buildings stem from different periods and had different functions. The renovation processes will be used as learning models for sustainable renovation of a broad range of building types. Partners will cooperate to come to guidelines on managing the renovation process of an existing building and select appropriate technologies and materials.

In the five demonstration buildings, centres for sustainable living will be installed as permanent meeting places for local/regional stakeholders, and as knowledge hubs on sustainable renovation. Local/regional stakeholder networks will be set up and enabled to enhance the practical application of sustainable renovation. The partnership will cooperate on the best governance method of the centres and their networks, give guidance to different kinds of stakeholders and jointly organise disseminative actions for policy makers, housing corporations, real estate developers, etc.

To assure that the centres will be able to maintain their efforts after the projects time span, a toolbox of long lasting instruments for knowledge transfer to practitioners will be developed. Those who wish to set up sustainability centres elsewhere will be advised.

The JTS in Lille approved the application for Livinggreen.eu in July 2008 with the highest ranking of all project proposals.

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case

Urban Policy