NaWo-Collab – transdisciplinary collaboration for sustainable living and building

The NaWo-Collab project is an innovative initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable living, construction and renovation in the Upper Rhine region. At a time when the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent, particularly in regions such as the Upper Rhine region, it is essential to find new ways of ensuring that housing remains not only climate-neutral, but also affordable and socially equitable.

The aim of the project is to secure broad societal support for sustainable housing concepts and to accelerate the necessary transformation processes. To this end, NaWo-Collab brings together stakeholders from politics, business and civil society and promotes the development and implementation of systemic innovations tailored to the region’s specific needs. Particular emphasis is placed on increasing the rate, quality and scope of refurbishment of residential buildings in order to achieve climate neutrality whilst ensuring that rents remain affordable.

The Upper Rhine region faces unique challenges, which are further exacerbated by climate change. Longer and more intense heatwaves call for innovative approaches to building renovation, particularly in the areas of insulation, ventilation and cooling. Added to this are high property prices and rents, which underscore the need for socially equitable renovation and new-build projects.

NaWo-Collab utilises regional resources such as geothermal and solar energy sources, as well as biogenic waste, to develop sustainable and adaptable housing solutions that not only meet climate targets but also strengthen the regional economy, particularly in the skilled trades sector.

NaWo-Collab’s interdisciplinary research approach brings together expertise from the fields of regional studies, economics, environmental sciences, social geography and political science. By combining various methods such as spatial data analysis, systemic modelling and participatory action research, the project succeeds in integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. This transdisciplinary approach makes it possible to tackle complex challenges effectively and to develop practical, stakeholder-tailored and socially just solutions.

NaWo-Collab provides a platform for the exchange of best practices and for networking amongst stakeholders, with a view to jointly developing strategies to address the renovation deficit and promote social justice in the housing market. During the project’s initial phase, needs and potential analyses will be carried out to gain a precise understanding of regional requirements. In addition, examples of best practice and innovations will be analysed to assess their transferability and potential applications.

A key objective of NaWo-Collab is to transfer research findings into society, thereby making a long-term contribution to the region’s sustainable development. Close collaboration with practitioners and integration into regional decision-making processes ensure that the concepts and methods developed can be applied not only in the Upper Rhine region but also in other regions. The Upper Rhine region thus becomes a model for climate-adapted and socially just housing concepts with supra-regional relevance.

NaWo-Collab lays the foundations for scaling up the approaches developed, which can be applied not only to the Upper Rhine region but also to other regions. By building up a comprehensive portfolio of services and research methods, the project will be able to offer targeted recommendations for sustainable and socially just housing development.

Contact: michael janoschka ∂does-not-exist.kit edu