This week, Valladolid's Agency for Innovation and Economic Development (Ideva) presented the ReHabita project. This initiative seeks to raise public awareness of the advantages and need for comprehensive rehabilitation of buildings, especially energy rehabilitation, to improve the quality of life and comfort, and reduce environmental impact.
Organised by the Federation of Neighbourhood Associations Antonio Machado, with the support of IdeVa and the European project URBANEW, it will feature several days in different parts of the city to disseminate a key theme of the ‘Mission Valladolid, zero emissions in 2030’. COACYLE and the College of Administrative Managers of Castilla y León (ICOGACYL) are also collaborating.
Fernando Rubio Ballestero, manager of IdeVa, stressed: ‘Buildings account for 22% of emissions in Valladolid, which is why sustainable renovation is crucial, and the City Council is 100% committed to the Climate Agreement and Mission 2030’.
The event also addressed other key issues in this field, such as raising public awareness of the importance of refurbishment and collaboration between architects, property managers and companies. The importance of technical advice to overcome economic and management barriers and the fundamental role of property administrators and professionals in the sector were also discussed.
The event also addressed other key issues in this field, such as raising public awareness of the importance of refurbishment and collaboration between architects, property managers and companies. The importance of technical advice to overcome economic and management barriers and the fundamental role of property administrators and professionals in the sector were also discussed.
Refurbishment barriers
Society tends to be more accustomed to new constructions than to building refurbishments. The process of reversing this habit is slow: subsidies do not arrive or are slow to arrive and, often, the more individualistic sense of the owners makes collective decisions difficult.
Moreover, for senior homeowners, refurbishment is a complex decision and the financial issue remains a major barrier, hence the importance of subsidies.
It is ‘a complex and arduous process’, as pointed out by the councillor for Urban Planning and Housing, Ignacio Zarandona, who welcomed these dissemination days ‘because awareness-raising is fundamental’.
Upcoming events
The ReHabita project includes several dissemination and awareness-raising events on building renovation:
1st October: Provincial Federation of Neighbourhood Associations ‘Antonio Machado’ Headquarters (Central Zone)
10th October: East Zone Integrated Centre (East Zone)
17th October: Civic Centre José María Luelmo (South Zone)
7th November: Rondilla Civic Centre (North Area)
14th November: José Luis Mosquera Civic Centre (West Zone)
