Sustainable Neighborhood Development

Sustainable Neighborhood Development aims to effectively reduce energy and resource consumption in urban subareas through integrated overall concepts. Public institutions, non-profit organizations, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises are supported as model project sponsors to develop innovative approaches in the fields of energy efficiency, smart cities, climate protection, and digitalization. The focus is on highly efficient CHP systems, local heating networks, and building-integrated systems for the generation, storage, and use of renewable energies, as well as green infrastructure for resource-conserving modernization of supply and disposal infrastructure. Special attention is given to the participatory involvement of neighborhood residents through communication and educational measures to ensure acceptance and participation. The funding is provided as a non-repayable grant on a cost basis with a flat-rate overhead allowance. Project sponsors submit a project outline, application, and cost plan and demonstrate with a participation concept how the population will be actively involved. Eligible expenses include personnel, material costs, documentation and evaluation, as well as educational measures, while investment cost subsidies and usual planning costs are excluded. Applications can be submitted at any time.

The selection decision is based on the innovativeness of the concepts, their efficiency and sustainability potential, as well as the quality of participation. The goal is the exemplary implementation of highly efficient neighborhood solutions, their documentation and evaluation, and the dissemination of proven methods. In this way, synergies between technological, economic, and social aspects are to be leveraged and counterproductive isolated solutions avoided. The German Federal Environmental Foundation thus promotes the development of effective, integrated strategies for climate- and resource-conserving neighborhood design throughout Germany.