intervention strategies for renovation of social housing estates

The research set up Chapter 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
meting contemporary living standards, and a low flexibility of apartments. Poor aesthetics
value, in terms of lack of identity, is important as it contributes to in residents. Both
residents and experts consider thermal insulation as the most urgent technical problem.
Regarding the social aspects, a common problem is ghettoization (frequently caused by high
immigration levels and unemployment) resulting in social segregation. It is very important to
involve residents in improvement of their buildings, since this increases satisfaction and
greater responsibility for maintenance of the buildings and the surroundings (Andeweg et.
al., 2007).
Physical solutions for renovation generally imply improvement of the initial quality of the
housing block. Some countries, like the Netherlands, intervene in existing housing supply by
applying transformations like moving walls or adding new volumes to (like dwellings on the
top floor, the so-called “optoppen”) (Brandes et. al., 2000).
Improving the quality of (urban) building envelopes should be a major issue in Europe.
According to the “Building Decay Surveys” issued by the Federal Government of Germany,
80% of all European building decay is found in urban building envelopes itself (roof, walls,
foundation). Moreover, it has been calculated that maintenance costs are mainly occurring in
(urban) building envelopes and that the quality of the envelope itself often fails to meet
current demands and standards (Andeweg et al., 2007). Consequently interventions of the
existing building envelope are a great challenge in the physical renovation of social housing
estates.
The European residential sector, currently accounting for about 27% of energy consumption
in Europe, offers a great potential for reducing CO2 emission by energy efficient housing
(Cecodhas 2 ). Sustainable renovation of social housing estates is indicated not only because
the high potential for energy savings, but also for social reasons. Energy efficiency of
housing for lower income groups is important, because the current and future increases of oil
prices especially affects these vulnerable residents. Since 2000, the European Commission
has undertaken a number of initiatives. One is the stimulation of enhanced energy savings
by means of the Energy Performance Building Directive (EPDB 2002/91 CE) (Czischke et. al.,
2007)3. The directive introduces measures to improve the energy performances of new
buildings and buildings under renovation.
In view of the European focus on energy efficient housing, a renovation strategy for existing
housing stock that is directed at the envelope, offers the highest potential for energy saving,
since the building facade ranks among the highest in energy consumptions (super glazing,
roof and façade insulation offer the highest potential for energy saving - EPA 4 ). .
However, although the potential of envelope directed renovation strategies is recognized at
an European level, there is a lack of approaches integrating a range of possible physical
solutions. This is not surprising considering the lack of knowledge of renovation based
approaches in general (van der Flier et. al., 2004). However, to reach the maximum value
for money, it is essential to integrate all the factors influencing urban building envelopes and
look at it in a broader scope (Andeweg et al., 2007). A renovation strategy that addresses
the building envelope might also improve the livability of post-war social housing. These
neighborhoods are now among the most deprived neighborhoods and typically deal with
livability problems. Improving building facades in a way that compares to the innovative and
experimental character distinguishing social housing from the ‘60s might reduce livability
problems. To this end, alternative strategies of intervention for local authorities, housing
organizations, owners, and specialists (like architects) are indicated and this research aims
to provide a framework for an integrative, innovative renovation strategy.
2 Internet sit e of Cecodhas www.cecodhas.org, section Energy, visited in 2007.
3The directive developed four types of measures: establishing a common strategy for calculating the energy
performances of buildings, drawings up minimum energy performance requirements for new buildings and building
under renovation, setting up a certification system and ensuring that these certificates are on public display, inspecting
and assessing boilers and heating and air conditioning systems (Czischke et. al., 2007).
4 This information refers to a report about energy saving potential in the existing housing stock in the Netherlands
(EPA)
2. A