Citizens as agents of change in decarbonizing suburban and rural housing (DECARBON-HOME)

DECARBON-HOME provides research excellence in the intertwined and ongoing climate-related and social challenges which necessitate a major transition in the Finnish housing system. The focus areas are suburban and rural; the urban focus is on the suburbs of the 1960s and 1970s and the rural focus is on the peripheral areas. The challenges in these areas result in the most critical housing stock regarding climate change mitigation being typically inhabited by the most vulnerable social groups (e.g. elderly, immigrants and unemployed). These impose new requirements for sustainable building and housing renovations, including their material, technological and human aspects.

By analyzing the pre-conditions for the wider adoption of innovative solutions, energy overhauls and other mitigation technologies, the project supports and enhances the nation-wide transition to climate neutral, socially equitable, and inclusive residential communities. To accelerate the transition, better understanding and mobilization of changes in individual, institutional, regulatory, communication and knowledge sharing practices is needed. DECARBON-HOME offers a unique, multi-disciplinary basis to understand citizen preferences, social structures, policy-making, innovations and transition pathways. DECARBON-HOME is a multi-disciplinary project which abreast with consortium collaboration co-operates actively with a numerous stakeholders to find practical approaches and tools to enhance possibilities for climate-wise living in Finland.

The project is funded by Strategic Research Council (SRC) Finland. Consortium is composed of University of Helsinki (coordination), Luke (vice-coordination), Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), University of Vaasa, and is coordinated by University of Helsinki (vice coordination Luke), and Tallinn Technical University.