Four pilot neighborhoods in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands are selected to investigate how Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) can be designed with and by citizens in vulnerable communities and implement energy-efficient building refurbishments, renewable energy, and low-carbon transport solutions.
Discover them below.
Vivalla, Örebro, Sweden
Overview
| City, Region | Örebro, Sweden |
| Population | 160,000 |
| Partners | Örebro University, White Arkitekter, Region Örebro län, Örebrobostäder, NCC Sverige AB |
Vivalla is a neighborhood located on the outskirts of Örebro, Sweden’s fifth-largest city. Established between 1967 and 1970 as part of the Miljonprogrammet, a Swedish government public housing initiative, it features predominantly small rental apartment units. Due to its physical separation from other parts of Örebro, Vivalla‘s residents are subject to geographical and social isolation.
The neighborhood faces significant challenges, such as unemployment and immigration earning it a designation as a vulnerable district. The employment rate in Vivalla is approximately 38%, compared to 75% in other parts of Örebro, and individual wage levels are significantly lower. Although energy poverty is uncommon in Sweden, Vivalla’s low-income residents are particularly susceptible to it as energy prices rise.
Hällefors, Bergslagen, Sweden
Overview
| City, Region | Bergslagen, Sweden |
| Inhabitants | 4,400 |
| Partners | Örebro University, White Arkitekter, Hällefors Bostads AB, Region Örebro län, Örebrobostäder, NCC Sverige AB |
Hällefors, an old industrial town with a rich history of mining and steelwork, is located about 100 km from Örebro in the historical region of Bergslagen. Its population peaked near 8,000 in the 1970s but has since declined, and the town now has a significant aging population, with many younger residents moving away for education. Hällefors has one of the highest levels of child poverty in Sweden and welcomed many migrants and refugees as of 2015 . The local housing company, BoAB, plans to address these challenges by demolishing outdated apartments and providing new, climate-friendly housing to its residents with the aim to keep old tenants and attract news ones. Their strategy includes improving both the external and internal environments of homes to enhance the quality of life for residents, particularly focusing on vulnerable groups.
Texel, Netherlands
Overview
| City, Region | Texel, Netherlands |
| Inhabitants | 13,500 |
| Partners | Copernicus institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Platform31/TexLabs |
Texel is the largest and most populous island in the Wadden Sea, located in the province of North Holland, Netherlands. The island’s insularity poses challenges for energy independence. Texel is a popular tourist destination, with 19% of households in the highest income quintile nationally in 2021, yet 10% of households are at risk of energy poverty. The current energy crisis has worsened this situation, with 9% of households spending over 8% of their income on energy, 37% in the lowest two income quintiles nationally, and 38% of buildings having high gas consumption. Despite relatively average household incomes, individual incomes are low, and multi-generational living is common. Efforts to reduce dependency on gas and achieve energy neutrality have been stalled for over a decade due to resistance to renewable energy projects.
Vennersberg, Kongsvinger, Norway
Overview
| City, Region | Vennersberg, Kongsvinger, Norway |
| Inhabitants | 18,000 |
| Partners | Inland Norway University of Applied Science |
Vennersberg is a neighborhood on the outskirts of Kongsvinger, a medium-sized town in Norway. Built mainly between 1974 and 1980 by a local housing company, the neighborhood features large block houses that now require significant energy efficiency upgrades. Unlike many residents in Kongsvinger who own their homes, Vennersberg residents typically rent, limiting their ability to invest in home improvements like rooftop solar panels or refurbishments. This economic challenge prevents them from fully participating in Norway’s growing trend of electromobility, energy storage, and micro-generation, which is bolstered by substantial government subsidies.
