Program Background

The concept of the German “Energiewende” – literally, energy transition – has gained international attention. It includes a variety of measures that aim at making Europe’s largest economy free of fossil fuels and nuclear energy. In order to attain this, all areas of energy production and consumption will have to go through a transition process. Besides mobility and industry, buildings are therefore one of the key factors for a successful Energiewende.

Most of all, this implies re-directing from a mainly fossil-fueled energy supply towards renewable energies and a much more energy-efficient use of energy in buildings and urban areas. This is one of the largest and most urgent challenges of current urban development and other social disciplines.... [-]