The rehabilitation of blocks of flats can be planned and executed in very different ways. This article describes two case studies of rehabilitation processes, focusing on what can be learned from the organizational processes and the meaning of the rehabilitation for the residents. Residents, initiators, architects and contractors have all been interviewed. One of the case studies involved two blocks of flats with municipal apartments for substance abusers ,where the residents participated in the planning of the housing rehabilitation. The other case study reviewed a housing cooperative where the residents, through an elected board and chairman, took on an initiative to undertake a complete rehabilitation. In both case studies most residents were very pleased with the results, and had a feeling of ownership towards the project and their houses. The rehabilitation process and architectural changes positively affected their social status and personal pride. The common criteria for success seems not necessarily to be the degree of involvement in the decision-making process, but rather the leaders' respect for their needs, the level of information provided and the follow-up. The leaders of both projects were enthusiastic, and were in close contact with the residents while guiding the rehabilitation process.
Purpose -The article's aim is to present user experiences with passive houses and zero-energy buildings. The focus is on the interaction between the building and the users, specifically on how user interfaces, knowledge, and commitment influence the use of the building and the level of energy consumption awareness. Design/methodology/approach -The study follows an explorative grounded theory approach. This approach generates insights that will be consolidated in follow-up studies. Qualitative interviews with users of six buildings were conducted. Site inspections applying walk-through method and other available information complement the data. Findings -Users in general were satisfied with having a new energy efficient building. Several respondents were more concerned about the environment now than before. However, there were concerns about thermal comfort. Misuse or misunderstandings among users in some cases led to lower indoor comfort. New or dissatisfactory design solutions were also responsible for unsatisfactory indoor environmental quality. Practical implications -Specific topics that should be paid more attention to in the design and research on new energy efficient buildings: level of end-user control and adaptability of the building; level of complexity of systems; the need for adequate information. Originality/value -The open approach enabled occupants to influence the parameters of the evaluations. Most evaluations of zero-energy buildings are not yet publicly accessible.
Rapporten analyserer den samfunnsøkonomiske lønnsomheten av universell utforming. Det vurderes hvilke nytte-og kostnadsvirkninger som bør inngå i eventuelle samfunnsøkonomiske lønnsomhetsanalyser. Rapporten viser at det kan vaere vanskelig å tallfeste nyttekomponenter både pga. at det er vanskelig eller umulig å måle noen av effektene og manglende data når det gjelder komponenter som i prinsippet kan måles. Når det gjelder måling av kostnadskomponentene er problemene knyttet til at enhetspriser ved anbud ikke er offentlige. Det bør utføres undersøkelser som gir et bedre grunnlag for å tallfeste nytte-og kostnadsvirkningene som det er mulig å måle.
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