How well do policies for energy efficiency and heritage values in the Swedish housing stock work

Paula Femenías ,Mattias Legnér

doi:10.1088/1755-1315/863/1/012027

Abstract

This paper investigates how societal goals of heritage conservation and energy efficiency are handled in the management of Swedish multi-residential buildings. Interviews were made with larger owners of multi-residential stocks, and their perspectives are compared to officials at the City Planning Offices in two Swedish municipalities: Göteborg and Gotland. The questions posed are: How is heritage prioritised in relation to increased energy efficiency, climate impact and other objectives such as cost-efficiency? How important are their internal policies in comparison with external policies imposed by society? The companies express that they are proud of the heritage of their building stock, but they have not integrated heritage values in their management plans and strategies. Social issues such as safety and well-being are included, but not heritage. A consequence of this lack of systematic consideration of heritage is that measures for increased energy efficiency may conflict with conservation needs. In order for heritage values to be taken more seriously in relation to energy efficiency they would need to be integrated into such plans. The benefit from integrating heritage values in sustainable housing management is a question that should be further studied. The paper refers to SDGs 3, 11 and 13.

Highlights

Previous studies have reported that the potential for energy efficiency is often compromised in favour of other priorities in renovation projects
The aim of this paper is to investigate how societal goals of heritage conservation and energy efficiency are handled in the management of Swedish multi-residential buildings
In the following, short summaries are given of each company, its policy, objectives, competences and processes for energy savings and heritage protection, based on results from the interviews

Summary

Introduction

Previous studies have reported that the potential for energy efficiency is often compromised in favour of other priorities in renovation projects. Policies intended to protect heritage values are given a low priority in comparison to aims of, for example, cost efficiency. There are none-the-less ambitious goals both for increasing the energy efficiency of the building stock and for developing and protecting aesthetic and cultural values of the built environment [1]. The National Board for Housing, Building and Planning and the Swedish Energy Agency agree that Swedish goals of 50% more efficient energy use in 2030 compared to the year 2005 will not be reached using only existing policies. Focus should not exclusively be on the increased energy efficiency and on ensuring that people can benefit from a sustainable, equitable and less segregated society and at the same time continue to enjoy and learn about the heritage represented by the national housing stock. The Swedish Parliament’s goal is that quality and sustainability will always take precedence over short-term financial interests

Objectives

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Results

Conclusion