Developing a roadmap for the modernisation of city quarters – Comparing the primary energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions

Abstract In this study, a new method based on 3D urban geometry in CityGML format is presented and used to evaluate the energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions during the different life cycle stages of a city quarter. The method is applied to a case study in Stuttgart/Germany, while considering the specific building characteristics of the city quarter. Four different development scenarios to reach a similar building standard for all residential buildings are assessed, which include either the refurbishment or the demolition and reconstruction or a combination of both. The total reduction of the primary energy demand for building operation is the same in each scenario. However, different production and construction energy inputs are needed for the four scenarios, which are highest for new constructions. The end-of-life energy demand is negligible by comparison. This leads to the conclusion that from the life cycle energy point of view, refurbishment to a high building standard is better than reconstruction under the condition that the structural condition of the building allows it. If the plan is to refurbish or partially reconstruct all buildings in a city quarter, a specific order needs to be chosen. This order has a high influence on the temporal development of the energy demand reduction of the city quarter.

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