nZEB in Divided/Cooperative ownership

TaskForce Workshops & Study Visits

National Workshop "Urban regeneration and the role of Social Housing operators" - 25 March 2015, Milan

National Workshop "Urban regeneration and the role of Social Housing operators" - 25 March 2015, Milan

The final results of the POWER HOUSE Divided/Cooperative ownership TaskForce were presented during the national Workshop "Urban regeneration and the role of Social Housing operators" held on 25 March 2015 in Milan (download here the version adapted to the Italian context of the Report “nZEB in Divided and Cooperative Ownership in practice: Lessons Learnt").

The event, organised by Legacoop Abitanti, addressed to social housing practitioners both from the Cooperative and Public sector, intended to assess how the first generation of energy-efficient homes is "working". Costs/benefits ratio, complexity of maintenance and management as well as usability and comfort for tenants were also issued tackled in the seminar and supported by the results of the monitoring work carried out in various buildings in Italy and in other European countries.

In the second part, speakers investigated new construction models as well as the digitization and technological innovation process cities will be facing in the near future (smart communities / smart cities). To conclude, a section was also dedicated to financial aspects with a focus on funding opportunities for urban regeneration projects  from the EU.


Download here the presentations (in Italian) made during the Workshop "Urban regeneration and the role of Social Housing operators".

Workshop and Study Visit in Tallinn & Rakvere - 12-13 June 2014

Flash is required!


In Divided and Cooperative property buildings, the role of tenants or owners is crucial for the decision making process, especially for what concerns the retrofitting of existing buildings. Furthermore, Member States have different legal frameworks in place, in some cases with special rules for energy efficient renovation. The aim of the Workshop organized by EKÜL - the Estonian Union of Co-operative Housing Associations, was to take stock of the situation in different countries and to address good organizational practices to facilitate the decision-making process for the renovation of divided and cooperative ownership buildings (download here the presentations made during the Workshop).

To complement the Workshop, EKÜL organised a technical Study Visit to three different cooperative developments in the area: the first building located in Tallinn (Sopruse 202) was the biggest multi-apartment building refurbished in Estonia, 162 dwellings, also awarded in 2013 as “Best renovation project”. The visit continued in Rakvere, were participants had the opportunity to visit the Rakvere Smart House Competence Centre and other two multi-apartments buildings managed as apartment associations (Voidu 42 and Tuleviku 10) composed by 40 dwellings each.


To find out more, please watch the video of the Workshop and Study Visits!

As result of the event, the report “Legal and organisational framework: Focus on divided and cooperative ownership multifamily buildings” was drafted in order to highlight the discussions and outcomes from the conference and study visit held in Tallinn.

The report includes a brief description of the presentations by and discussion amongst EKÜL’s members, partners and other representatives on nZEB developments in Estonia. Examples and experiences from different European countries on the legal and organisational framework of energy efficient renovation in multifamily buildings which were presented at the workshop are also briefly described. Additionally, this document summarises the key features of three refurbished divided property buildings in the cities of Tallinn and Rakvere that were visited as part of the event. The report concludes with some recommendations for the cooperative and divided ownership sector to help address the barriers to collective decision making for energy efficient refurbishment in multifamily buildings.


Download here the report  “Legal and organisational framework: Focus on divided and cooperative ownership multifamily buildings”.

National Workshop "New investments: opportunities in the new EU programming period 2014-2020" - 20 November 2013, Milan

National Workshop "New investments: opportunities in the new EU programming period 2014-2020" - 20 November 2013, Milan

Cities and Regions are getting ready for the new EU programming period 2014-2020 with the aim of inaugurating a new season of research projects and new models of planning cities: a complex collaboration between the public and private sector, between institutions and communities. New interventions aimed at smart, inclusive, and sustainable cities (with nearly-Zero Energy Buildings and neighbourhoods), should make the most out of synergies and complementarities in order to achieve a multiplicative effect of human resources and catalyse creativity and innovation. This perspective requires Housing Cooperatives creating partnerships in the territory of reference, but also outside, and the activation of the necessary financial resources.

What are the new financing channels, what is the perspective opened by the new 2014-2020 programming at national and international level? What tools are available to  fund nZEB projects  and Smart Cities? What are the interesting and advanced cases in the international arena? What are the critical factors and elements to develop such a project? Are there European models transferable in our context? What role can the social housing cooperatives play?

This Workshop, organised in the framework of the POWER HOUSE Divided/Cooperative ownership TaskForce, tried to give some answers to the questions above thanks to the help of experts in European funds, policy experts on Social Housing at European level, managing authorities, research institutions and representatives from exemplary projects.


Download here the presentations made during the Workshop "New investments: opportunities in the new European programming period 2014-2020".

Workshop and Study Visit in Milan & Brescia - 11-12 June 2013

Flash is required!


Legacoop Abitanti, in collaboration with the other Divided / Cooperative ownership TaskForce members, organised on 11 June 2013 the Workshop “How to finance energy efficiency? Focus on Divided and Cooperative ownership multifamily buildings” (download here the presentations made during the Workshop) in order to discuss with key stakeholders how to gather the initial capital for investments in energy efficiency in multi-property buildings and how to support the adoption of innovative technologies to achieve better energy performances.

To complement the Workshop, a technical study visit to two low energy cooperative developments in northern Italy (Casa Light by Coop Casa Brescia and Cascina Bazzana by Coop Degradi Milano) was organised on 12 June 2013 by Legacoop Abitanti.  The two examples were showcased as models for energy efficiency that responded both to environmental concerns and to other critical aspects such as affordability and inclusiveness. A strong focus was also placed on creating various typologies of dwellings to suit different demands and on the importance of aspects such as spaces for socialisation and the general well-being of residents.


To find out more, please watch the video of the Study Visit!

As result of the event, the report “How to finance energy efficiency - focus on Divided/Cooperative ownership" was drafted in order to highlight the discussions and outcomes from the conference and study visit held in Milan and Brescia.

The publication includes a closer look into the current housing situation and financial schemes in energy efficiency in Italy and their implications for the divided ownership and housing cooperatives in the country. A number of successful experiences of financing energy efficiency from different European countries which were presented at the workshop are also briefly described, focusing on the limits and priorities for their application in multifamily buildings. Additionally, the report summarises the key features of the two low energy cooperative developments that were visited as part of this event. The report concludes with some recommendations for the cooperative and divided ownership sector in Italy to address the issues of incentivising and implementing energy efficiency.


Download here the report “How to finance energy efficiency - focus on Divided/Cooperative ownership".