European societies are confronted with an interlinked housing and energy crisis that is challenging social cohesion. Access to affordable housing is limited and is further hampered by inflation and rising energy prices. Housing inequality and energy poverty are thus mutually reinforcing. Against this background, the comprehensive renovation of the existing housing stock is a key political priority. However, despite policy efforts from the EU to the local level, there is growing concern that the transformation of housing markets could further exacerbate existing housing inequalities and energy poverty.

To identify alternative, more equitable pathways to the green transition, PREFIGURE looks at ongoing and emerging individual and collective efforts at policy, market, technical, and social innovation. The pioneering approach of the project aims to identify, record, analyze, and network current and emerging “prototypes of change” with regard to the housing-energy efficiency/energy poverty nexus.

The research objectives are:

1. to develop a nuanced understanding of how social, political, and economic innovation practices contribute to affordable housing refurbishment programs aimed at reducing housing inequalities and energy poverty;
2. to explore how multi-scalar housing policies can drive sustainable housing and energy transition, how financial incentives for energy-efficient buildings are utilized by different groups of owners and tenants, and how different user groups perceive sustainable housing and energy transition, with a particular focus on the consequences of income and wealth polarization for vulnerable groups;
3. to mobilize knowledge on innovative practices for sustainable housing and energy transition and co-create evidence-based policy solutions.

The innovation of this method lies in combining transformative qualitative and quantitative research with technological and real-world lab research to co-create and expand knowledge and practices that signal the green transition. Based on this, PREFIGURE will develop the housing-energy nexus as a new conceptual approach to housing inequalities, identify new practices of social, technical, market, and policy innovation, and recommend policy actions that ensure affordable, accessible, and energy-efficient housing for all.

As co-project leader, ITAS is responsible for the successful management and delivery of the project. In addition, ITAS participates in the development and implementation of methods, deliverables, and milestones across work packages and leads empirical research in Thessaloniki.

Website of the project: https://prefigure.eu/

Press release of KIT: https://www.kit.edu/kit/pi_2024_058_energiearmut-bekampfen-besserer-zugang-zu-bezahlbarem-wohnraum.php

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