European Union, 2050; Nearly zero energy; Neighbourhoods; Roadmap; Geography, Planning and Development; Economics and Econometrics; Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Abstract :
[en] Achieving Net Zero Energy at the district scale is a critical objective for enhancing urban resilience in the face of climate change. However, only a few experts globally master the complex technologies required, and vulnerable regions often lack tailored roadmaps. This study aims to address this gap by proposing a methodological framework for retrofitting existing urban districts to meet Net Zero Energy District (NZED) criteria, with a focus on the European Union context. A comprehensive life cycle assessment was conducted over a 100-year horizon, analysing three types of neighbourhoods—urban, sustainable, and rural—across various EU capitals. The study employed the Plaides LCA tool coupled with Meteonorm software to evaluate energy demand, carbon emissions, and environmental cost during construction, operation, renovation, and demolition phases. Key parameters such as local building materials, microclimate, national energy mixes, and transportation modes were integrated into the analysis. Results indicate that energy demand in urban districts is 14% and 30% higher than in sustainable and rural areas, respectively. A mixed scenario combining global warming adaptation, deep renovation of all buildings, full transition to electric vehicles, and widespread solar panel integration could reduce total energy demand by up to 95% by 2050 in EU countries. This study demonstrates the feasibility and environmental benefits of transitioning to NZEDs and emphasizes the urgent need to train regional experts and improve district-level data collection to support climate-resilient urban planning.
Precision for document type :
Critical notes/Edition
Disciplines :
Civil engineering
Author, co-author :
Nematchoua, Modeste Kameni ✱; School of Civil Engineering, University of Antsiranana, Antsiranana, Madagascar ; Department of Physic, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Kameni Nematchoua, Modeste ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo > Urbanisme et aménagement du territoire ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Urban and Environmental Engineering
✱ These authors have contributed equally to this work.
Language :
English
Title :
European Union 2050 vision on building nearly zero energy neighbourhoods for the future
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