Building governance and energy efficiency: Mapping the interdisciplinary challenge

Abstract

Improving the energy efficiency of multi-owned properties (MoPs)-commonly known as apartment or condominium buildings-is central to the achievement of European energy targets. However, little work to date has focused on how to facilitate retrofit in this context. Drawing on interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Humanities expertise in academia, policy and practice, this chapter posits that decision-making processes within MoPs might provide a key to the retrofit challenge. Existing theories or models of decision-making, applied in the MoP context, might help to explain how collective retrofit decisions are taken-or overlooked. Insights from case studies and practitioners are also key Theories of change might then be employed to develop strategies to facilitate positive retrofit decisions. The chapter maps the issues and sets an agenda for further interdisciplinary research in this novel area.