Do solutions exist?

If we use a german city like freiburg im breisgau as an example, i would say that, in new construction, we can achieve energy savings of up to 80% over traditional solutions by using proper insulation(exterior walls, windows, roofs, cellars), orienting buildings appropriately and adopting a variety of engineering solutions- everything from earth pipes, which use the relative coolness or warmth in the ground to moderate the air entering the building, To dual-flow ventilation systems. On renovation projects we can achieve a similar level of performance, albeit at a higher price. Energy-efficient solutions and equipment of this type are available on the market, and their price has dropped sharply. The issue these days is knowing how to use them properly. For example,we know exterior walls should be insulated,but to what thickness: 20 cm, like in Germany? Or 10 cm, as is still the case in France?

Fihat are the prerequisites for success?

Fihen you work in construction, you think in timeframes of approximately fifty years. So you have to look ahead. The fact that insulation has become a selling point is proof of that! And when it comes to important topics like energy efficiency, looking ahead requires the political will to adopt clear, simple, verifiable thermal regulations that can be understood by both architects and the public. It's up to the central government and municipal governments to adopt those regulations and monitor compliance. Freiburg im Breisgau is a good example of that. You also need to provide workers with training that will prepare them to handle these new challenges. And since architects will increasingly be called on to work side by side with researchers, their training will have to be adapted as well, so they can anticipate highly technical issues from early on in the design process. In other words, in addition to thinking about how a building will be used, architects are treating energy considerations as an equally critical factor in their designs. It's all the more exciting given that we don't yet know what kind of architectural forms will emerge as a result of energy concerns everything, or nearly everything, still has to be invented!

Fihat role can renewable energy sources play in this process?

In Freiburg im Breisgau they play a very important role. We have about fifty positive-energy buildings that generate all the energy they need to operate, and even surplus energy, using solutions such as photovoltaic roof panels. The task now is to combine technological performance with aesthetic appeal. That's another motivating challenge for architects.

Is Freiburg im Breisgau, with its Vauban and Rieselfeld eco-neighbourhoods, attracting interest from other european cities?

Not just cities—we host a large number of visitors whose interests range fairly widely, including urban planners and architects who are asking about technical design and maintenance solutions, elected officials who want to know about regulatory issues, and businesses and investors who seek details about profitability and cost. This broadly shared interest provides a good demonstration of why green construction is here to stay, not just because it contributes to the fight against global warming but because it offers a practical response to the desire of those around us to improve the quality of urban life.