REAL CORP
Not a member yet
1255 research outputs found
Sort by
Common Goods and Modern Commons: Insights on Energy Communities from the Energy4All Project
Full text linkThe concept of the commons, emphasizing shared and sustainable resource management, is gaining relevance in addressing global challenges such as climate change and the energy transition. Energy Communities (ECs) exemplify this modern commons approach by enabling citizens to collectively produce, share, and consume renewable energy, promoting sustainability, social equity, and decentralized energy systems.
The EU-funded Energy4All project explores different EC and Positive Energy District (PED) models through pilot cases in Norway, Austria, Hungary, and Italy. These include private-public collaborations, energy poverty initiatives, and community hubs fostering local engagement. The project aims to identify best practices, analyze stakeholder behavior, and establish replicable governance models. It also supports policy advocacy, knowledge exchange, and cross-border collaboration to advance EC models.
This paper presents interim findings from the project’s first year, highlighting pilot cases and key lessons. Early results reveal differences in regulatory frameworks and diverse national and local approaches. Looking ahead, Energy4All seeks to refine its roadmap for replicating successful EC models across Europe, integrating stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and practical insights to support sustainable and socially just energy solutions
Urbanisation and Mixed-Income Residential Development in South African Townships: A Case Study of Olievenhoutbosch
Full text linkThe legacy of the poor apartheid planning system still prevails in South African cities, with people of colour mostly being placed on the outskirts of the cities in townships where there is a lack of economic opportunities. Despite the policies that have been implemented in post-Apartheid South Africa to address inequalities and social, environmental, political, and economic challenges, there is still much that needs to be done to achieve a South Africa that is inclusive. Currently, citizens can democratically choose to reside wherever they want, but the ability to afford always determines where one will reside. To promote inclusivity, mixed-income residential development approaches have been applied both locally and internationally to ensure that access to resources and services is shared equally among people of different economic classes. This paper examined the impact of rapid and high levels of urbanisation on mixed-income residential development in South African townships, focusing on the township of Olievenhoutbosch. It also investigated how urbanisation rates have impacted access to and availability of mixed housing. The paper reviewed literature on the impact of urbanisation on the development of mixed communities in the context of South African townships. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with twenty-six residents of Olievenhoutbosch township in Johannesburg. The results highlight inadequate housing units to accommodate everyone thus leading to the invasion of new government-assisted housing projects before their completion and the illegal occupation of land that is not suitable for residential developments mainly attributed to high rates of urbanisation. Thus, to address the housing shortages, homeowners have resulted in building structurally inadequate backyard rooms for rentals to increase accessibility and availability, This study recommends that policymakers and urban planners prioritise the implementation of sustainable mixed-income residential developmental strategies. This will help to address the housing backlog, promote inclusivity, and integrate economically disadvantaged communities into urban centres while ensuring proper planning and infrastructure development
Vulnerabilitäts-Schnellanalyse für die praxisnahe Anwendung in Städten – das VESPA Tool
Full text linkStädte sehen sich zunehmend mit den Auswirkungen des Klimawandels und anderer globaler Krisen konfrontiert, die ihre bebaute Umwelt, ihre Infrastruktursysteme und die allgemeine Lebensqualität ihrer Bevölkerung erheblich bedrohen. Während Großstädte oft über die Ressourcen und Expertenwissen verfügen, um diese Herausforderungen zu bewältigen, und sich aktiv an Initiativen wie EU-finanzierten Forschungsprojekten beteiligen, können mittlere und kleinere Städte häufig mit diesen Entwicklungen nicht Schritt halten. Sie stehen vor zahlreichen Herausforderungen bei der Gestaltung und Umsetzung von Veränderungen und Maßnahmen, die für den Aufbau von Resilienz erforderlich sind. Oft fehlt ihnen sogar die grundlegende Kenntnis darüber, in welchen Bereichen sie am vulnerabelsten für externe Einflüsse sind. Diese Vulnerabilitäten zu identifizieren und kennen ist jedoch eine entscheidende Voraussetzung dafür, transformative Veränderungen hin zu widerstandsfähigeren Strukturen voranzutreiben.
Daher entwickelte ein Konsortium rund um AIT, TU Wien und PlanSinn im Projekt VESPA, das vom österreichischen Klima- und Energiefonds finanziert wurde, einen Prototypen für eine Vulnerabilitäts-Schnellanalyse, der Städten und Gemeinden eine evidenzbasierte Grundlage zur Bewertung von Risiken und Herausforderungen bietet. Diese Vulnerabilitätsanalyse ist als webbasiertes Tool für die praktische Anwendung implementiert und ermöglicht es österreichischen Städten, individuelle Vulnerabilitätsprofile zu erstellen und zu analysieren. In diesem Beitrag stellen wir die Schlüsselelemente des VESPA-Tools und erste Erfahrungen mit der Anwendung in Teststädten vor und geben einen Ausblick auf mögliche Weiterentwicklungen
Navigating the Qualitative Research Landscape: Methodological Insights from a Study on Gentrification in Johannesburg
Full text linkAny academic inquiry involves the application of appropriate investigative methodologies. Research methodology serves as a vital tool in understanding and addressing research problems. It is the art of exploring, explaining, and envisioning phenomena by connecting ideas, uncovering meaning and making sense of complex realities. Whilst there are several research methodological approaches , this paper explores the applicability of qualitative methodology employed in a study examining gentrification and urban sustainability in Johannesburg’s Braamfontein area. Grounded in an interpretive research paradigm, the study adopted a case study research design and used applied purposive and snowball sampling to gather diverse perspectives from participants. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews, field observations, aerial photographs analysis, photographic surveys and spatial analysis, with analysis conducted through Nvivo qualitative data analysis software. The paper discusses the rationale behind methodological choices, the challenges encountered during data collection, and the strategies employed to ensure trustworthiness, including credibility, dependability, and confirmability. By examining the methodological processes used in this study, this paper aims to contribute to the broader discourse on qualitative research, offering practical insights for researchers navigating complex urban studies
A Comprehensive Evaluation Framework for Smarter Cities and Real Estate
Full text linkThe terms smart city and smart real estate are often used with different definitions and scopes, as several fields and experts are involved in developing them, and each expert defines them based on their field. This study traces the concept of smart cities and identifies what a smart city and smart real estate are. There is a need for a framework that identifies what makes a city or real estate “smart” and aligns the definition to be suitable across different fields. Integrating smart technologies in urban development is crucial for enhancing cities' and real estate projects' smartness, efficiency, and sustainability. Although real estate technology-based companies have grown significantly, the global real estate industry still lags several years behind the technology curve. This study introduces a comprehensive evaluation framework to assess the smartness and integration of cities and real estate. The study identifies key success features and indicators. The developed framework is based on seven identified categories: smart governance, smart people, smart infrastructure, smart energy, smart environment, smart technology, and real estate status. A comparative benchmark analysis was utilized to demonstrate the practical application of the framework and to assess the current stages of smartness worldwide, revealing significant integration of smart solutions and highlighting improvement areas. The findings highlight the correlation between indicators and the strategies for integrating smart real estate into smart cities. The developed framework provides valuable insights for urban planners, municipalities, real estate developers, and other stakeholders to achieve smarter development and improve urban living conditions
Überholabstände Kfz-Rad: Ergebnisse aus Realexperimenten und Planungsempfehlungen
Full text linkDie Einhaltung ausreichender Überholabstände von Kraftfahrzeugen (Kfz) gegenüber Radfahrenden ist ein zentraler Bestandteil der Verkehrssicherheit und ein entscheidender Faktor für die Förderung des Radverkehrs. In dieser Studie wurden die Überholabstände zwischen Kfz und Radfahrenden in zehn Modellkommunen in Baden-Württemberg analysiert, um die Wirksamkeit verschiedener Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung der Überholsicherheit zu bewerten. Mithilfe des OpenBikeSensors (OBS) wurden Vorher-Nachher-Daten erfasst, um die Auswirkungen von Infrastrukturänderungen, Tempolimits, Piktogrammketten und Überholbuchten zu untersuchen.
Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Maßnahmen wie die Verbreiterung von Schutzstreifen oder Radfahrstreifen und die gezielte Gestaltung von Überholbuchten die mittleren Überholabstände vergrößern können und die Häufigkeit gefährlich enger Überholmanöver (<100 cm) reduzieren können. Besonders die Einführung klar definierter Überholbereiche führte zu positiven Effekten. Gleichzeitig verdeutlichten die uneinheitlichen Ergebnisse bei Maßnahmen wie Tempolimits oder Piktogrammketten die starke Abhängigkeit von lokalen Faktoren wie der Straßenbreite, Verkehrsführung und Verkehrskultur.
Die Studie macht deutlich, dass gesetzlich vorgeschriebene Mindestüberholabstände auf engen innerstädtischen Straßen durch bauliche Maßnahmen allein häufig nicht erreicht werden können. Ein integrierter Ansatz, der Infrastrukturmaßnahmen mit Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und einer konsequenten Ahndung von Verstößen kombiniert, ist unerlässlich, um die Sicherheit von Radfahrenden nachhaltig zu verbessern.
Die vorgestellten Ergebnisse liefern praxisorientierte Handlungsempfehlungen für Städte und Planerinnen und Planer, die sichere und attraktive Radverkehrsinfrastrukturen schaffen möchten. Die Erkenntnisse tragen zur Förderung des Radverkehrs als umweltfreundliches Verkehrsmittel bei und leisten einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Verkehrswende
Die Entwicklung des Grazer Straßenbahnnetzes
Full text linkDie Stadt Graz ist mit rund 300.000 Menschen die größte Landeshauptstadt Österreichs. Dazu kommen noch rund 170.000 Personen, die täglich über die Stadtgrenzen fahren. Graz feiert in einigen Jahren sein 900 jähriges Bestehen und hat das Glück, dass das historische Stadtzentrum weitgehend erhalten geblieben und durch die UNESCO als Weltkulturerbe geschützt ist. Dies sind auch wesentliche Rahmenbedingungen für die Bewältigung der Mobilitätsanforderungen. Graz ist auch ein bedeutender Universitäts- und Industriestandort, wobei hier vor allem die lange Tradition der Herstellung von Schienenfahrzeugen und deren Komponenten sowie der Fahrzeugentwicklung und produktion zu erwähnen sind
Concrete Solutions for Climate Resilient Built Environments
Full text linkConcrete is the most widely used building material worldwide. That is one reason why it is very often associated with high CO2 emissions, although on the base of mass [kg] or volume [m³], the specific CO2 footprint of concrete is relatively low compared to other building materials. This is in particular true for modern cement and concrete. In 2022, the Austrian Cement Industry published its roadmap towards CO2 neutral production of cement. Various measures are foreseen and projects have already been undertaken to move the CO2 footprint of cement in Austria towards zero.
This applies to all types of cement, regardless of the application – and there are many of them. Every construction project requires a special type of concrete; there are different mix designs for buildings, civil engineering, and specialised applications. Water-impermeable concrete is required for so-called “white tanks”, whereas in urban planning – in view of increasingly hot summers and heavy rainfall – the opposite, water-permeable concrete, is advantageous in terms of infiltration capacity. This can take the form of “drain concrete” or concrete paving stones, which must be laid in such a way that infiltration can take place via the paving joints.
Infiltration-capable surfaces, trees and plants are essential for the resilience and important design elements of our cities. Innovative approaches in the use of concrete and holistic planning can make cities more ecological, liveable, and sustainable, Therefore, such approaches have an important function as instruments for adapting to climate change. However, concrete can be used innovatively not only for “green infrastructure”, but also for “blue infrastructure”, the use of water in urban spaces.
The “sponge city” is a concept designed to help urban trees gain more vitality. The underground construction is crucial for the sponge city effect: the concept gives the trees more room to grow roots below the paved surface in interconnected gravel bodies. The substrate acts like a sponge: on the one hand, the trees are supplied with water and, on the other, water is stored and does not flow unused into the sewage system. A high infiltration rate is also important on the paved surfaces. The concrete paving stones play a central role in the functioning of the sponge city concept – they provide more climate protection, a pleasant atmosphere, and thus counteract the urban heat island effect, Due to their light surface and a higher albedo of concrete compared to asphalt, they can contribute to a more pleasant micro-climate in urban areas.
In Austria, the sponge city concept has been successfully implemented in several projects: In Vienna, the first sponge city project was in Pelzgasse in Vienna’s city district of Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus. In addition to the paving of the areas, further design measures were implemented to make the public space more attractive.. The project is being scientifically monitored by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, the BOKU Wien.
In Vienna, the sponge city concept was also implemented near the “Bildungscampus Aspern Nord”, where around 10,000 m2 of concrete block pavement were built in the neighbourhood “Am Seebogen”. The sponge city concept has also been successfully realised in several small and medium-sized towns in Lower and Upper Austria, some of which are presented below. A video series by the Lower Austrian Association of Municipalities shows best practice from the cities Amstetten, Lanzenkirchen, and Tulln.
The presentation ranges from the production of CO2-reduced cement in Austria to the sustainable use of concrete for planning and design of innovative open spaces in urban areas following the sponge city principle, which enables adaptation to climate change
hiWALK and hiBIKE: Co-created Indices to Foster Active Mobility for All
Full text linkCurrent accessibility analyses, which underlie the 15-minute city concept, assume that all streets are equally walkable and bikeable for everyone. This assumption implicitly neglects the needs of people with special mobility requirements, i.e. of the old and very young, people with disabilities, and risk-averse bikers. Stakeholders working to improve urban active mobility, e.g., NGOs such as Radlobby Austria or traffic planners such as PLANUM Fallast & Partner, require detailed information on the bikeability and walkability of the urban path network to lobby and/or plan for infrastructure that promotes active mobility and provides inclusive accessibility to essential services. To address this gap, HeiGIT’s climate action team works with practitioners and NGOs to co-create street-level indices of walkability (hiWalk) and bikeability (hiBike) with direct practical applications. Going beyond summary values at the level of cities or neighborhoods, our street-level indicators facilitate integrating bikeability and walkability information into routing engines, thereby supporting accessibility analyses of “15-minute cities for all“. Both hiWalk and hiBike incorporate indicators describing the urban street and path network in terms of user-friendliness, attractiveness, and safety. For example, the indicators identify walkable/bikeable paths and analyse their surface quality in terms of smoothness and type of material. hiBike also includes an indicator of “dooring” risk, based on street-side parking information. Both indices rely on open data sets, mainly OpenStreetMap (OSM), and can be tailored and applied across cities worldwide.
Since both hiWALK and hiBIKE are still under development, rather than presenting the indices’ results, this paper will discuss the challenges encountered (1) during their application to starkly differing urban environments worldwide, and (2) due to the variability in OSM’s data quality and completeness across regions. Additionally, we present our co-creation approach and discuss its benefits for index usability and policy impact. Besides continuing to refine the two indices, future research will also focus on assessing whether the results of our analyses align with the perceived walkability and bikeability in different streets, neighbourhoods, and cities. We conclude that several unique features of hiWalk and hiBike distinguish them from existing indices of active mobility. hiWalk and hiBike prioritise accessibility for all, explicitly considering users with special mobility needs. Moreover, through our plan to integrate our indicators into OpenRouteService (ORS), the mobility needs of the most vulnerable will be effectively captured in accessibility analyses and routing decisions. Finally, and most importantly, our co-creation approach renders feedback from stakeholders during the development process, which ensures the relevance and usability of the indicators in real-world urban planning and advocacy applications
Formulation of Clean Energy Transition Strategies for Small and Medium Sized Cities
Full text linkThe EU project PLENTY-LIFE has developed the Holistic Integrated Spatio-Temporal Energy Planning (HISTEP) framework to help small and medium-sized cities (SMCTs) plan long-term clean energy transitions (CET). Currently, the framework is being tested in seven pilot cities across Austria, Italy, Portugal, and Romania through a collaborative process with local stakeholders. This paper outlines the key steps in CET strategy development and shares initial findings from applying HISTEP to project future energy demand in Fundão, Portugal. The baseline "business-as-usual" (BAU) scenario reflects historical trends and existing policies, with minimal decarbonization efforts and moderate socio-economic and technological changes. In BAU scenario, the projected annual final energy demand by fuel shows a slight increase from 318.8 GWh to 320.0 GWh over the study period (2018-2050), averaging an annual growth rate of 0.01%. During this period, motor fuel remains dominant, where its share decreases from 47% to 43% of total final energy consumption. Electricity's share increases from 30% to 34%, while fossil thermal fuel decreases from 14% to 12%. The final energy by sector shows a dominance of building sectors, its share will rise from 43.8% to 45.9%, the transport sector decreases from 41.8% to 36.5%, and the industry sector increases from 14.5% to 17.6%. The resulting CO₂ emissions within the city boundaries show a slight decline from 48.6 to 43 kt-CO₂. The corresponding per capita indicator indicators reveal an increase in final energy demand from 11.9 to 14.4 MWh/cap and a slight rise in CO₂ emissions from 1.82 to 1.94 t-CO₂/cap. These results illustrate the limited impact of current decarbonization measures concerning energy savings and efficiency improvements, electrification, digitalization, and the transition to clean fuels across all consumption sectors. BAU scenario serves as a benchmark to assess the effectiveness of the forthcoming clean energy transition scenario (CETS), which aims to demonstrate a decarbonization pathway toward a climate-neutral Fundão by 2050. The CET aligns with Fundão's energy and climate goals and is driven by significant enhancements in energy efficiency across all sectors, electrification of end-uses, a shift to clean fuels, and an increase in local RES to decarbonize power and heat supply.
The HISTEP framework's application in Fundão underscores the importance of comprehensive, integrated planning in achieving sustainable energy transitions for SMCTs. Modelling various scenarios following a participatory process engaging local stakeholders and citizens, cities can develop tailored strategies that effectively address their unique challenges and opportunities in the journey toward carbon neutrality