Hafner KliEn
Sub-project: Sociological analysis of climate-neutral and sustainable urban development
Description of the overall project
Under the name "Heimat Hafner" (Hafner neighbourhood), the city of Konstanz is developing a new quarter with 3,300 dwellings, services, commercial enterprises and a new mobility infrastructure. The aim is to make the "Hafner" quarter climate-neutral and for it contribute to the energy transition. The objective of the "Hafner_KliEn" research project is to draw up the energy-related planning guidelines for the further implementation of this urban development measure. It will demonstrate the feasibility of a climate-neutral neighbourhood for the first time on this scale and in this thematic breadth. Within the project, an integrated conceptual approach is being developed at the urban planning level that takes into consideration the entire life cycle of the buildings and infrastructure. At the centre is an energy supply system that allows extensive use of surplus electricity from renewable sources by both local and supra-regional suppliers. Here, the solarization of all buildings, fourth generation district heating networks and establishing an infrastructure for green hydrogen are elements of efficient energy use and the coupling of all consumption sectors and technologies (green H2 for public transport, shipping, industry). This creates added value beyond the neighbourhood itself. In addition to the technical concepts, the project looks at the key success factors, i.e. user satisfaction and acceptance, with the corresponding models for sustainable building and living. To make the best possible use of the findings, the project specifically addresses stakeholders who themselves want to take the next step in the development of climate-neutral neighbourhoods and the implementation of the energy transition in Germany. Working towards this goal is an interdisciplinary consortium comprised of research institutions and local partners, including HTWG Konstanz – University of Applied Sciences and the University of Konstanz, Stadtwerke Konstanz (the municipal public utility company), the Steinbeis Innovation Centre "energyplus" as well as the city of Konstanz as initiator of the "Heimat Hafner" urban development measure.
Description of the sub-project
The sub-project accompanies the overall urban development measure from a social science perspective. The measure aims at climate-neutrality and a contribution to the energy transition. In addition to this, through the accompanying sociological research and the participation of society, it should be led to a successful and socially aligned conclusion. Central to this is collaboration in work packages that are concerned, among other things, with questions of the user satisfaction of potential user groups of the planned neighbourhood, with measures related to user acceptance (e.g. towards new types of housing and technologies), with inter-professional communication processes as well as with public relations and citizen participation methods. In addition to social, cultural and socio-theoretical references, the sub-project uses a broad and mainly qualitative portfolio of methods.
