I - Accelerating the delivery of Positive Clean Energy Districts
By the end of the project we’ll have significant achievements in several cities.
Etienne Vignali, ASCEND project coordinator
The implementation of Positive Clean Energy Districts (PCEDs) is a crucial element needed to meet the EU’s Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission. Paving the way, the ASCEND(opens in new window) project is accelerating the delivery of PCEDs in Lyon, France and Munich, Germany. Project coordinator Etienne Vignali, from development planner Lyon Confluence(opens in new window), explains: “Project ASCEND focuses on several key aspects: the environmental performance of buildings, the development of the local energy community, decarbonising mobility (for people and goods) and public spaces more favourable to pedestrians.” Work includes highly energy-efficient buildings, photovoltaic rooftop installations, district heating systems powered by biomass, and new underground parking favouring mobility services rather than individual cars. The PCEDs are setting high standards for urban developments, ensuring new buildings adhere to advanced standards of energy efficiency, while existing buildings are brought up to par through renovation, says Vignali: “Developers and estate agents will have to meet our requirements and guidelines before they begin construction.”
Coordinated efforts across Europe
The project collaborates with ‘multiplier cities’ including Porto, Alba Iulia, Budapest, Prague, Charleroi and Stockholm, where PCEDs will be rolled out on a smaller scale, with each city adapting the concept to its specific needs and governance structures. Vignali adds: “It’s not just Lyon and Munich: we built the proposal together, and are working in parallel, so that by the end of the project we’ll have significant achievements in several cities at the same time.” The project explores challenges such as the need for rapid progress, rising construction costs, and most importantly, behavioural change. Overcoming these obstacles involves convincing local communities of the benefits of sustainable urban development. But with successful implementation, ASCEND is poised to play a significant role towards creating sustainable and energy-efficient communities across the whole of Europe by 2030.