Why ambitious? For a number of reasons but there are perhaps three main ones. Firstly, replicability doesn’t mean one size fits all. It requires a combination of technological know-how, along with heightened awareness of legislation and economic issues. Secondly, the scale of district renovation for the future is enormous, as is the diversity in terms of building typologies, climatic conditions and policies around Energy Efficiency across our continent. Thirdly, communication is paramount for such a demonstration project in order for the methodologies to be taken up by the right stakeholders in a way that is meaningful. Achievement in these areas will open the way for new refurbishments on a European scale within the framework of new urban energy planning strategies.
To help us deliver innovative, workable solutions to the challenges ahead, we draw on the leading expertise of a 17-strong consortium from across six countries. We will be showcasing them in our newsletter and highlighting the points of interest of our endeavours as the project unfolds. Newsletter sections also include interviews with experts, latest news from the project’s three demonstration sites and news from our networks.
This newsletter will be of interest to the construction industry as a whole, policy makers, local governments, other related EU initiatives, and research communities with an interest in energy efficiency, not forgetting of course the key beneficiaries; the end users.
R2CITIES began in July 2013 when the consortium gathered in Valladolid, Spain, at the offices of the project coordinator, Fundación CARTIF. It will run for four years and has just held its first progress meeting in Madrid, at partner ACCIONA’s premises. This was the opportunity not only to take stock of current developments but also to deliver two workshops, one about Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its application at district level and the other one about exploitation and market deployment.
And finally, I would invite you to take a look at our website and sign up to keep abreast of our findings and solutions, and join our community.
With best wishes,
Rubén García Pajares
R2CITIES coordintor
Fundación CARTIF