The Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs has launched the model programme Energy Efficient Public and Social Infrastructure Buildings, which is being carried out by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development. This programme is related to the CO2-Building Renovation Programme, though in this case new buildings are the focus. Included are e.g. schools, kindergartens, public administration buildings, sports halls and clinics. The model programme’s aim is to gather further experience, e.g. for the allocation of subsidies and knowledge transfer into practice.
Demographic change is causing public infrastructure adaptation needs. This is true of regions with a diminishing population as well as those which are growing. In diminishing regions it is often necessary to concentrate public and social infrastructure in one place to suit the new or bigger coverage area. On the other hand, in growing regions public infrastructure often has to be enlarged. Whatever the case, there can also be a need for replacement new buildings, e.g. schools or other public infrastructure, in addition to the renovation of existing ones.

Further transferable knowledge is especially needed with regard to the future requirements of the German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV 2012), the implementation of the EU-Building Directive and the challenging financial situation of many municipalities. The model programme’s projects offer concrete real-life experience of excellent planning in the phases of implementation and usage.

16 projects are chosen to be scientifically accompanied and evaluated. To meet requirements the energy efficiency standard must be 60% better than the current Energy Saving Ordinance 2009, or at least 45%. There are two levels of subsidy available, granted by reduced-interest loans from the KfW Bank.

Energy saving public and social infrastructure doesn’t only very much contribute to CO2 reduction and public cost savings. Because of the large numbers of users, it is also a key to communicate more sustainable attitudes towards nature and energy as well as to develop greater understanding about new energy-saving technology.