title: Shaping future housing policies: Behavioural trends and sustainability insights for a “sufficient” built environment
Creators: name: Bagheri, Mahsa
Publisher: name: UNSPECIFIED
Year: 2024

description: The residential sector significantly contributes to final energy consumption in the EU. In 2021, it accounted for 27% of total EU total energy consumption, of which 65% was attributed to space heating. The reduction in specific heating consumption observed in the residential sector in recent years, thanks to the implementation of energy efficiency measures, stricter building regulations and building renovations, has been offset by a significant increase in the floor area of residential buildings, from 32.9 m² in 1991 to 46.3 m² in 2021. This substantial increase in floor area exerts considerable pressure on the housing sector, both during the construction phase (due to the use of energy-intensive building materials) and in the use phase. Numerous studies have investigated the reduction of energy consumption in the residential sector through behavioural changes and have proposed a range of strategies and policies to achieve this goal. However, the crucial role of the user perspective in energy reduction remains under-explored in the existing literature and under-represented in current housing policies. Furthermore, there is a notable lack of empirical data on user behaviour and its underlying motives, particularly concerning living space.
This dissertation aims to provide recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of policies targeting the reduction of high energy and space consumption in the residential sector. The study concentrates on the first pillar of the “Avoid-Shift-Improve” framework, which has been identified as having the greatest potential for reduction. This dissertation emphasises the necessity of incorporating the user perspective and individual behavioural aspects into the policy development process. The thesis employs a multi-method research approach, utilising both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. It addresses the aforementioned research gap through literature review, paper questionnaire, online multi-country surveys, and interviews. To provide a more comprehensive view of the topic, the thesis captures different perspectives (users and providers) and covers different geographical scopes, from a neighbourhood to the whole of the EU.
In conclusion, to realise the full potential of the existing tools and policies that address the reduction in energy consumption, improvements in the technical and social infrastructure are required. Furthermore, various external factors shape individual behaviour and influence choices, which in turn are reflected directly and indirectly in household consumption patterns. In order to develop efficient and effective policies, it is essential to recognise and consider the diverse backgrounds and their influence on policy acceptance and compliance. The financial aspects play a crucial role in the decision-making of all stakeholders. Therefore, designing policies with a financial component seems to be an effective method of triggering positive changes towards lower consumption. Finally, communication is crucial for the success of policies, as a lack of communication can lead to mistrust and dissatisfaction. Identifying the most appropriate means of communication, implementing transparent communication and assigning responsibility to the most suitable stakeholders are key to involving households and building trust.