ReGeneratIoN of NeiGhbourhoods through placE-based appRoaches

Project Information

GINNGER

Grant agreement ID: 101123324

DOI

10.3030/101123324

EC signature date 17 October 2023

Start date 1 November 2023

End date 31 October 2027

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 6 511 089,50

EU contribution

€ 5 664 921,00

Coordinated by

FUNDACION CIRCE CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION DE RECURSOS Y CONSUMOS ENERGETICOS
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GINNGER (ReGeneratIoN of NeiGhbourhoods through placE-based appRoaches)

Reporting period: 2023-11-01 to 2025-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

GINNGER responds to the pressing need for a comprehensive, inclusive, and replicable approach to regenerating urban neighbourhoods in Europe, particularly in the context of climate neutrality, social equity, and digital transformation. The project is rooted in the recognition that urban environments face intertwined challenges—energy inefficiency, social fragmentation, and environmental degradation—compounded by limited citizen participation in regeneration efforts. GINNGER aims to turn neighbourhoods into catalysts for low-emission, inclusive, and affordable transitions by integrating technological innovation with participatory governance.

To address these challenges, GINNGER adopts a co-creation-driven methodology, leveraging insights from social sciences and humanities to shape regeneration actions that are socially grounded and inclusive. The project actively involves citizens, stakeholders, and local authorities to co-design and test 56 regeneration solutions across six diverse European pilot sites. These actions target energy efficiency, mobility, renovation, and resource management, and are underpinned by 13 digital tools built upon a Common Information Model, ensuring their interoperability and scalability.

The project’s impacts are expected to be wide-ranging: from enabling behavioural change through inclusive participatory processes to supporting informed local decision-making with digital solutions and performance-based assessments. By developing robust business models and engaging in active dissemination and knowledge exchange, GINNGER positions its solutions for replication in diverse urban contexts. The scale of its potential impact lies in empowering communities, enhancing local governance, and accelerating the just transition of European neighbourhoods, setting a blueprint for future regeneration efforts.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During its first 18 months, GINNGER advanced significantly to integrate place-based, data-driven, and socially inclusive innovation for sustainable urban regeneration. A comprehensive diagnosis of pilot neighbourhoods was conducted, including stakeholder ecosystem mapping and analysis of technical, social, and regulatory contexts. Using PESTLE and qualitative methods, the consortium identified key drivers and barriers, developed a baseline of citizens’ capacities, and informed the co-creation and digital solution design processes.

A robust co-creation methodology was developed based on collaborative interviews and a literature review on social inclusion and behavioral change. This methodology was tailored to pilot contexts through participatory tools and engagement strategies, addressing issues of vulnerability and inclusion. It was complemented by a catalogue of 56 regeneration actions and a dedicated decision-making guide, laying the groundwork for structured and inclusive implementation.

Technologically, 13 digital solutions across four thematic blocks—Energy, Renovation, Resources, and Mobility—have reached advanced stages of development. These tools are being tested with real pilot data and include forecasting, energy management, renovation decision support, circular economy tracing, and mobility optimization systems. The Common Information Model was established and dynamically updated to ensure interoperability and data integration.

A multi-level key performance indicators (KPI) framework was also developed, enabling the structured validation of impacts across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The groundwork for deployment and assessment, including a digital tool for KPI tracking, was laid to ensure consistent, measurable implementation across pilots.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The GINNGER project has delivered a solid foundation for innovative and inclusive urban regeneration through a series of scientifically grounded and technically advanced outputs. Key results include a validated co-creation methodology adapted to diverse socio-cultural contexts, a catalogue of 46 regeneration actions, and the development of 13 digital tools for energy, renovation, mobility, and resource management. The integration of these tools via a Common Information Model (CIM) ensures coherence and interoperability across pilot sites. Additionally, a robust multi-level KPI framework enables the systematic assessment of environmental, social, and economic impacts.
The project has high potential for real-world transformation by promoting low-emission, affordable, and inclusive neighbourhoods. Expected impacts include improved citizen participation, data-informed local decision-making, and replicable models for sustainable urban regeneration. The co-creation processes and digital solutions directly address systemic barriers to transformation and are designed to be transferable to a wide range of European urban contexts.
To ensure further uptake and lasting impact, several enabling conditions must be addressed: (1) further research and pilot testing are needed to validate the tools in diverse settings and enhance robustness; (2) access to public and private finance is crucial for large-scale implementation; (3) supportive regulatory frameworks are needed to incentivize data-sharing and community-led regeneration; (4) the development of business models and Industrial Property Rights strategies will be essential for commercialization; and (5) integration into national and EU-level standards and policy frameworks will enhance legitimacy and scalability.

Map with location and targets of pilot sites

Co-creation methodology’s testing and validation phase

Co-creation methodology’s testing and validation phase

Co-creation methodology’s testing and validation phase

Design of GINNGER Performance Measurement and Verification Methodology