Renovation of Modernist Housing Developments in the Pursuit of Modernity for Well-Being and Clean Energy

Abstract

The research concerns renovation variants for modernist housing estates built in Szczecin, Poland during 1918–1925 and in Bialystok, Poland during 1950–1990. These buildings are now substandard in many ways; functionally, aesthetically, technically, and ecologically they do not fulfil the current energy efficiency standards. Some of them have architectural heritage, so not all energy-saving technologies can be applied. Renovations must include energy-saving improvements and the use of renewable energy sources. Equally important is the well-being of residents, meaning the quality of the apartments should be increased. The aim of this research was to analyze the renovation options in terms of energy efficiency and well-being criteria, as well as in relation to the cultural value of the buildings. The simplified energy calculation method was used to check the present buildings’ energy demands to compare them with retrofitting results. Three retrofitting possibilities were considered: low-cost, current standards, and near-zero energy. The results show that without EU financial aid, which will soon be introduced under the “Renovation Wave” program, such modernization projects will be difficult, making the target of 55% CO2 emission reductions compared to 1990 levels by 2030 impossible.

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings: lessons learned from Poland

“…This is a pressing problem, especially in the context of achieving the "Fit for 55" goals. Turecki et al (2022) indicated that, for multi-family buildings, Poland should aim to achieve a higher level of CO 2 reduction than the expected 55% target, since the reduction rate for single-family housing is likely to be much lower.…”

Energy poverty in the Energy Community region: Interrogating policy formulation and coverage

“…International regulatory and financial support has played a key role here, as has the EU accession process more specifically. A number of states in Central Europe have advanced ambitious housing renovation programmes, while improving the depth and targeting of social support mechanisms (Földváry et al, 2017; Hrovatin and Zorić, 2018; Turecki et al, 2022). Elsewhere in the region – and particularly in non-EU post-socialist states – energy poverty remains pervasive, and has been further worsened by trends unfolding during the post-socialist transformation: political instability and military conflict, declining real incomes, increasing social inequalities, and slow progress on the upgrading of the housing stock and energy systems (Maxim et al, 2017; Stojilovska et al, 2021).…”