Our Project
Please note that this projet ended after the Development Phase.
UrSEnE implies the transfer of lessons learned from experiences developed in other countries, will apply them to municipalities involved in the project and will pursue also the creation of a good practices study. UrSEnE will work on the creation of local plans for energy efficiency and, on the other hand, will produce a guideline for elaborating energy local action plans in order to spread knowledge and good practices to other cities.
Efficient energy use or energy efficiency, is the current challenge for the achievement of a greener world that needs the active involvement of localities and cities for sustainable strategies that stem from the local level and involve the commitment of local actors and citizens in a major attempt to redefine the way energy is used, thereby reducing its consumption and guaranteeing the environmental sustainability of the world, starting from our local communities.
The potential to reduce energy demand on the local level is huge. Some municipalities already understand the importance of their role as the most accessible area for the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions are elements of municipal property: public buildings, street lighting system, etc. Essential savings can be achieved at local level to reduce energy consumption and municipal energy costs in the future – an opportunity not to be missed. Each university - partner has in his back a city which is at a different stage of development for strategies for energy efficiency. This is why each partner brings different types of experience, which contributes to the diversity as well as creates different needs that each partner is coming into project with. Project activities were designed in a way that would enable the partners to take away what they find most valuable for their unique situation and context.
Certain flexibility is also built in, concerning the content of experience exchange, so the most current needs within the identified policy areas should be dealt with, once the project starts. This ability to meet the unique needs of each city is seen as a key pre-condition for ensuring that the produced outputs, especially the identified good practices, are used by the partner cities and external stakeholders.
Axe 2.3 Environmental issues - Integrated policies for energy-efficiency in cities and the use of renewable energy resources in urban areas
Challenges
Efficient energy use or energy efficiency, is the current challenge for the achievement of a greener world that needs the active involvement of localities and cities for sustainable strategies that stem from the local level and involve the commitment of local actors and citizens in a major attempt to redefine the way energy is used, thereby reducing its consumption and guaranteeing the environmental sustainability of the world, starting from our local communities.
Key point of focus
The project will focus on setting up a general framework for developing urban strategy for energy efficiency and, based on this, developing local action plans for the municipalities participating in the project. These strategies can help cities to determine how to organize, strengthen and build on existing city programs, discover and tap into new program ideas that are already working for other cities and also target the most cost-effective opportunities to reduce energy use and improve energy efficiency (and ones that help achieve economic and environmental benefits). A strong strategy will provide not only a roadmap for reducing energy use but also for lowering energy costs for housing, business etc and promoting economic development and job creation.
A word from the lead partner
URBACT programme is an excellent opportunity of exchanging experiences at international level, of learning from best practices, being in fact a platform for all urban actors to discuss the approaches of sustainability.
As university, it is our mission to ensure spreading the knowledge regarding innovative methods of energy efficiency and tools for elaborating energy efficiency strategies, to partners municipalities.