European Green Cities Net (EGCN)

World Green Roof Congress 2012 is the third iteration of this exciting and respected global event. It provides a unique opportunity to share best practice and view inspirational exponents of green roofs. Understand how green roofs contribute to sustainability, green infrastructure, and how it offsets carbon emissions and beautifies urban grey. Hosted by Copenhagen, the city that has set itself the ambitious target of being carbon neutral by 2025, the World Green Roof Congress 2012 will bring together international policy makers, contractors, urban planners, manufacturers and local government representatives in a forum that offers inspirational and practical insights into how green roofs can be integrated into existing and new building development.
See program

Sustainable Cities - new Master education in Copenhagen
August 2012

Worldwide more and more people live in urban settings. The Master in Sustainable Cities at Aalborg University Copenhagen has a focus on handling this challenge from a climate, energy and environmental perspective. Graduates in Sustainable Cities will acquire knowledge and skills to conduct technical, economic and societal transition processes needed to find sustainable ways to lower the impact from urban planning and living.
See program

Upcoming Events:

Final cRRescendo confeRRence: Thursday, 13 October 2011 - Friday, 14 October 2011, Location: Almere, Netherlands
Strategic Energy Technology Plan Conference 2011 under the Polish Presidency of the EU Council: Monday, 28 –November 2011 - Tuesday, 29 November 2011,
Location: Warsaw, Poland

First steps towards Energy Neutral Cities - international workshop in Dublin
19 November 2009

The Dublin workshop will present results from the EU funded project ENPIRE - Energy Efficiency in Urban Restructuring Projects - including the development of guidelines from experiences in 7 local projects in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Ireland, Italy and Spain.

Read more about ENPIRE and the 7 local projects here

Besides the local Irish project Tyrrelstown Housing you will have interesting presentation on Dundalk 2020, being part in EU Concerto II project Hollistic, 3 current projects of cost effective energy retrofitting from South Dublin County Council and a walking tour to experience some af
interesting Dublin urban regeneration projects.

Here you find program - and registration form to fill in before 15 November 2009:

Program for Dublin workshop
Registration form Dublin workshop

Climate Adaptation in Cities - conference, site visits and local workshops in Denmark
29-30 October 2009

This is a good opportunity to experience some of ongoing Danish project implementations within solar, wind energy, district heating and low-energy building to meet the climate challenge.

On 29-30 October 2009 is arranged a combined 2 days conference - site visits - and local workshops, where you can meet the involved actors in several ongoing project implementations. From the workshops participants will gain good inspiration, methodology and technology presentations - to hopefully find usefull in your own efforts within energy and climate adaptation activities.

European Green Cities ApS - being secretariat of EGCN - is arranging conference etc. in cooperation with European Housing Ecology Network (EHEN) and the Danish Association of Sustainable Cities & Building (FBBB).

Here you find preliminary program, so that you can reserve the dates for possible going to Denmark. More detailed information will follow:

Here you find program, hotel information and registration form:

Climate Adaption in Cities - Conference etc. 29-30 October 2009.pdf
Hotel information - conference in Copenhagen 29-30 Oct 2009.pdf
Reg form - conference in Copenhagen 29-30 Oct 2009.pdf

The following presentations from conference are available:

EU and Climate Strategies
http://www.fbbb.dk/Files/Filer/Ronan_Uhel_-_EU_Miljoeagenturet_29-10_2009.pdf

Climate Plan – Sustainable City and Green Innovation
http://www.fbbb.dk/Files/Filer/Niels_Carsten_Bluhme_-_Albertslund_Kommune_29-10_2009.pdf

Energy Balance and Energy Strategy Bornholm Island
http://www.fbbb.dk/Files/Filer/Joergen_Olesen_-_PlanEnergi_29-10_2009.pdf

H2College Building with Hydrogen stored Wind Energy Supply
http://www.fbbb.dk/Files/Filer/Lars_Yde_-_HIRC_29-10_2009.pdf

Low-Energy Refurbishment of Social Housing in Aarhus City
http://www.fbbb.dk/Files/Filer/Karsten_W._Rasmussen_-_Esbensen_29-10_2009.pdf

Low-Energy Buildings with Low-Energy District Heating
http://www.fbbb.dk/Files/Filer/Jens_Lunding_-_Hilleroed_Kommune_varmeforsyning_29-10_2009.pdf

Sustainable Cities – from Masdar City to “Our City” of Carlsberg
http://www.fbbb.dk/Files/Filer/Lise-Lotte_Pade_-_P%F6yry_29-10_2009.pdf

Ecobuilding conference in Stuttgart, Germany, 7-8 April 2008
April 2008

This Ecobuilding conference comprises results from 4 major EU demonstration projects:

BRITA in PUBs
http://edit.brita-in-pubs.eu/

Demohouse
http://www.demohouse.net/

Eco-Culture
http://www.ist-world.org/ProjectDetails.aspx?ProjectId=8fba9d59c449459ab3cf8d796b20efc6

SARA
http://www.ecobuildings.info/PDF/Eicker_Vortrag_ECO_Buildings2005.pdf

These projects demonstrate innovative energy efficient renovation of public and private buildings, e.g. old manufacturing building in Copenhagen, as well as new-built projects, e.g. the new opera building in Oslo. The conference will present results including developed calculation tools and round table discussions between involved city politicians etc.

Click here for further information: programme and registration

Conference on CO2 neutral city areas in Copenhagen on 15 November 2007
November 2007

Conference in Copenhagen for opening a 5 years cooperation in a new CONCERTO project Green Solar Cities - about CO2 neutral city areas in Copenhagen; Denmark, and Salzburg, Austria. The aim is to implement large-scale use of solar energy and biomass combined with low energy housing and energy supply with integrated renewable energy sources - see Green Solar Cities project presentation.
Programme for the conference - click here.

In connection to the conference there will be arranged excursions before and after the conference:

Wednesday 14 November at 01 - 05 pm - visit to major urban renovated areas Hedebygade and Hestestaldskarréen - see project presentation Hedebygade.

Thursday 15 November at 02 - 06 pm - visit to CO2 neutral roof appartments and modern heat recovery ventilation systems - see project presentation CO2 neutral SOLTAG building.

Conference participants pay 350 DKK including excursions - for further information and registration contact:

Ms. Therese Fangel Sivebaek, Kuben, on mail: tfs@kuben.dk

Partner Partner meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece, 29 - 30 March for EGCN project Green City Building.
March 2007

Partner meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece, 29-30 March 2007 for EGCN project Green City Building.
Green City Building project is focusing on the development of local community strategies for sustainable urban development in the 6 partner countries Hungary (Ujpest District of Budapest), Poland (Piaseczno near Warzaw), Germany (Ehrenfriedersdorf in Annaberg District in the South of Saxon at the border to the Czech Republic), Greece (Sykies Municipality being part of Thessaloniki city) and Denmark (Odder Municipality in the middle of the countryside of East Jutland) – see Green City Building project presentation

EGCN members are welcome to participate – please register your interest for further information here

Partner meeting in Budapest 14-15 September for EGCN project Green City Building.
September 2006

EGCN members are welcome to participate – please register to EMI mat.k@emi.hu by forwarding filled in registration file: download here

Programme:
14 September, Thursday
9:00-12:30 workshop in EMI
12:30 lunch
13:30-17:00 we will visit buildings in Újpest and in Buda
19:30 common dinner

15 September, Friday
9:00-12:30 workshop in EMI
12:30 lunch
afternoon: sightseeing in Budapest: Ferencváros and Józsefváros

16 September, Saturday
by own choice program: Budapest and its neighbourhood

The airport in Budapest is called Ferihegy airport, it has 2 parts: Ferihegy1 and Ferihegy2.

About public transportation: You can buy a tourist ticket (3-day-pass) 2500 HUF or a 7-day travelcard 3400 HUF depending on how many days you spend in Budapest. With it you have access for all transportation in Budapest (3 metro lines, buses, trams, HÉV). A single ticket is 185 HUF. Other ticket fares: http://www.bkv.hu/angol/jegyek/index.html The 3-day or 7-day pass you can buy only at metro stations or at Moricz Zsigmond Korter which is 5 minutes from Hotel Flamenco (open 6:00-20:00 on weekdays, 6:00-15:00 on Saturday).

Please note that generally after 10:30 pm there is no public transport, the last metro leaves the terminals at 11:10 pm. There are some night services that you can use all night: http://www.bkv.hu/angol/ejszakai/index.html

1 euro = 270 HUF (our currency is called 'forint')

Useful links:

Park Hotel Flamenco: http://www.danubiushotels.com/hu/budapesti-szallodak/congress-park-hotel-flamenco-budapest
Map (ÉMI): http://www.terkepcentrum.hu/index.asp?go=mapps3bp&sx=800&sy=800&ex=5048.963679999986&ey=8430.973600000012
Budapest Airport: http://www.bud.hu/index.nfo?&prk=6638990453&tPath=/english
Public transport: BKV (Budapest Transport Ltd.): http://www.bkv.hu/angol/home/index.html

Please give us your travel information and your accomodation needs by filling out and sending back until 10 September the attached word file.

EGCN Conference: "Practical Utilisation of Renewable Resources for Buildings and Energy Supply" in Děčín, Czech Republic, on 15 June 2005.
June 2005

Focus will be on building and energy supply technologies supporting economical usage of energies and on energy production from renewable energy sources like solar technologies, heat pumps, effective production and distribution of energy using biomass and cogeneration.

The conference is organized in a cooperation between Decin City, EGCN Czech partner Ing. Petr Hanek-VENTOS, Regional Development Agency of the Usti Region PLC, D.I.C. and Green City Denmark.

To download the programme in English verions click here and in Czech version click here.

The following presentations and materials are available in English version in pdf format:

1. State energy policy of the Czech Republic
2. Act on promotion of use of renewable sources, 180 of 31.03.2005
3. Solar collectors for DHW in hospitals, Polish experience (presentation)
4. Solar collectors for DHW in hospitals, Polish experience (abstract)
5. Conscious energy retrofitting of buildings into social housing, Hungarian experience (presentation)
6. Conscious energy retrofitting of buildings into social housing, Hungarian experience (abstract)
7. Biomass experience - utilization of sorrel
8. Biomass experience - utilization of sorrel (abstract)
9. Experience with biomass in Denmark
10. Solar low energy building in Denmark
11. Solar low energy building in Denmark (abstract)

The following presentations and materials are available in Czech version in pdf format:

1. Česká energaticá politika
2. Státní energetická koncepce České Republiky
3. ČEA a státní podpora a státní podpora projektům úspor energie a OZE
4. Legislativa pro obnovitelné zdroje energie
5. Zákon o podpore vyuzíváni obnovitelných zdroju 180 ze dne 31.03.2005
6. Solární kolektory na teplou vodu pro nemocnice, polská zkušenost
7. Sociální domy vzniklé prestavbou bývalých kasáren v Dobó Laktanya v Székesdulu parku v Budapešti
8. BIOMASA a její využití pro vytápení budov
9. BIOMASA a její využití pro vytápení budov (2)
10. Jak v ČR využíváme slunecní energii
11. Jak v ČR využíváme slunecní energii (2)
12. Hodnocení využitelnosti obnovitelných zdroju energie na území Ústeckého kraje
13. Hodnocení využitelnosti obnovitelných zdroju energie na území Ústeckého kraje (2)
14. Modernizace CZT v Děčíně
15. Zkušenosti s biomasou – využívání št'ovíku
16. Energetická biomasa z polních kultur
17. Solární nízkoenergetická výstavba v Dánsku

EGCN Conference: "Biomass & District heating 2004" in Salzburg, Austria, on 5 November 2004.
November 2004

The aim of the conference is to focus on the challenge for district heating network operators:

how to continue a sound energy distribution economy with growing consumer interest for low energy standards
how to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources like biomass and solar etc.

To download the programme click here:

The following presentations are available in pdf format:

1. Programme in Salzburg for reaching the Kyoto gain - (German) - (1259 kb)
2. District heating cooling - Greek experiences - (821 kb)
3. Biomass usage opportunities in Lithuania - (507 kb)
4. Experience from Salzburg Biomass plants and technical innovations - (German) - (1007 kb)
5. Innovative ideas for biomass district heating - (German) - (622 kb)
6. Financing possibilities and experience in social housing projects - (German) - (215 kb)
7. Social housing and biomass - (German) - (1496 kb)
9. Solar supported biomass DH systems - (German) - (865 kb)
10. Energy innovations in Gussing as economic engine - (German) - (2821 kb)
11. Waste heat from industry in DH - (German) - (276 kb)
12. Balancing econmics and environmental protection in enegy supply - (1600 kb)
13. DH based on large solar plant - (3369 kb)
14. Biomass DH in retrofit - controlled via Internet - (German) - (2461 kb)
15. Local possibilities for reduced CO2 emission - Danish example - (155 kb)

The following summaries are available in pdf format:

1. Programme in Salzburg for reaching the Kyoto gain - (314 kb)
3. Biomass usage opportunities in Lithuania - (313 kb)
4. Experience from Salzburg Biomass plants and technical innovations - (306 kb)
5. Innovative ideas for biomass district heating - (307 kb)
7. Social housing and biomass - (306 kb)
8. Challenge operating DH networks efficiently - (320 kb)
9. Solar supported biomass DH systems - (371 kb)
10. Energy innovations in Gussing as economic engine - (98 kb)
11. Waste heat from industry in DH - (312 kb)
12. Balancing econmics and environmental protection in enegy supply - (306 kb)
13. DH based on large solar plant - (636 kb)
14. Biomass DH in retrofit - controlled via Internet - (304 kb)

NECA, the Building Research Institute and Warsaw University of Technology are the regional organizers of the SB'04 Conference.
October 2004

The main goal of the event is the exchange of knowledge between researches, academics, consultants, industry and authorities.

During the conference three panels are especially important, from the point of view of "green energy":

Regional best practices (case studies)
Environmental impact assessment of buildings
Assessing the environmental performance of buildings and their urban neighbourhoods

The conference is supported by CIB, iiSBE and UNEP.

More information on the web-site: www.itb.pl/SB04

EGCN conference: "Environmental Friendly Building in Europe" in Budapest, Hungary
April 2004

The aim of the conference is to disseminate RES and RUE BATs focusing to a better environment and a healthier indoor air quality. Special attention will be put on the European Energy Performance Directive (EPD) which will come into force from 2006.

To download the programme click here: Programme (pdf format 1,25 Mb)

For practical information and registration click here: Information and registration (pdf format 152 kb)

The following papers are available in pdf format:
1. Towards a decent home - UK (1078 kb)
2. Evalutation of sustainalble buildings in social housing in Flamish part of Belgium (Paper) (2461 kb)
3. Evalutation of sustainalble buildings in social housing in Flamish part of Belgium (Presentation) (3948 kb)
4 . Ecological housing – best practice in Salzburg (1438 kb)
5. DEMO House - ecobuilding projects (130 kb)
6. Renovations of multistory buildings and new appartments in the attics (610 kb)
7. Integration of innovative green power stations (94 kb)
8. Thermal comfort in transition periods depending on heating system (64 kb)
9. Geothermal energy utilization in Kosice Municipality (906 kb)
10. Heating of buildings - energy consumption lowering and its hygienic effects (88 kb)
11. Timber building as ecohouse (354 kb)
12. Demand controlled hybrid ventilation for residential buildings (762 kb)
13. Solar techniques in public buildings in Poland (862 kb)
14. Transparent active facade - results of monitoring (526 kb)
15. Hybrid ventilation systems (174 kb)
16. The Building of Tomorrow - Austrian Program (50 kb)
17. Eco Public Houses in Timber (1575 kb)
18. Environmental Sustainability through Best Design Practice in Trento - Italy (280 kb)
19. Point system on sustainability in Salzburg Region (124 kb)
20. Healthy and Environmentally Correct House Building in Denmark (190 kb)

EGCN partner meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark
5-6 February 2004

Steering Committee meeting number 8 with focus on preparing the coming EGCN conference in Budapest in April 2004, and continuation of the work concerning the Green Build tool. Furthermore there will be site visits to a number of solar installations in Copenhagen.

EGCN conference: “Energy efficient ventilation systems and healthy/emission-free building materials” in Torino, Italy
October 2003

EGCN project partners are preparing 3 conferences involving European experts in 3 RTD technology preparatory groups:

Building integrated solar energy technologies and efficient use of glazing
Energy efficient ventilation systems and healthy/emission-free building materials
Renewable energy supply integrated in district heating/cooling systems

The first mentioned theme was presented on an EGCN conference in Belgium October 2002.

The second mentioned theme about energy efficient ventilation systems and healthy/emission-free building materials will be presented in the conference on 23-24 October 2003 in Torino.

To download the programme click here: Programme (pdf format 95 kb).

The following presentations are available in pdf format:
1. Energy Policy of the Torino District (Italian) (776 kb)
2. The trend of the air pollution emissions in the last ten years (124 kb)
3. Innovative building solutions - the Olympic Winter Games 2006 (48 kb)
4. Strategies for Olympic villages sustainability (Italian) (11 kb)
5. The energy policy of ATC Torino and sustainable building projects (622 kb)
6. Energy Service Company (ESCO) methodology (Italian) (114 kb)
7. Natural ventilation in residential buildings (Italian) (672 kb)
8. Healty - emission free building materials (Italian) (30 kb)
9. Building materials - Quality criteria of ecological school (810 kb)
10. Milano Gymnasia Project - solar ventilation systems (347 kb)
11.1. Energy efficient ventilation from a housing association point of view (paper) (1011 kb)
11.2. Energy efficient ventilation from a housing association point of view (pres) (1061 kb)
12. Energy efficient ventilation combined with solar systems (851 kb)
13. Bioclimatic architecture (Italian) (990 kb)
14.1. Integration of standard design criteria and LCA - paper (Italian) (323 kb)
14.2. Integration of standard design criteria and LCA - presentation (Italian) (1247 kb)
15. The market for heating systems based on the use of renewable energy sources (689 kb)

NPC seminar: "Energy Passport for Buildings"
October 2003

EGCN partner in Lithuania, Namu Prieziuros Centras (NPC), arranged a seminar to promote "Home Owners Association" as a way to improve residents awareness for improving dwelling environment. Participants were informed about the EGCN project, and an idea came up to work on preparing an "Energy Passport for Buildings".

To download the seminar programme click here: Programme (pdf format 93kb)

The following seminar material is available:

Summary (74 kb)
1. Work package no. 1 "Home owner association" (Lithuanian) (221 kb)
2. Work package no. 2 "Common property administrator" (Lithuanian) (218 kb)
3. Work package no. 3 "Common activity agreement" (Lithuanian) (152 kb)"

EGCN partner meeting 11-13 June in Grenoble, France
June 2003

Steering Committee meeting number 6 and site visits to four implemented innovative housing projects in the Grenoble region.

To download the programme click here: Programme (pdf format 181 kb).

EGCN partner meeting 18-19 February, Torino, Italy
February 2003

Steering Committee meetings no 5 for EGCN partners and the new partners (EGCN NAS) for starting up the broader 10 partner co-operation. Meetings took place in "Environment Park Torino" which represents a number of sustainable building good examples. Click for at visit at the Environment Park Torino. Finally there was a partner meeting within the project Green Solar Regions comprising demonstration projects in Italy, Poland and Denmark.

EGCN contract extension from 2 February - to include 4 new Eastern European partners
February 2003

EC have extended EGCN project with an "EGCN NAS" amendment (NAS for Newly Associated States) which means including 4 new Eastern European project partners - see About Project Partners. This means additional 2 EGCN conferences and 4 training workshops to be carried out in Lithuania, Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic over next 2½ years. And an additional number of Eastern European cities to be targeted for disseminating energy & environmental efficient building technologies

EC Call for Ecobuildings - EGCN preparatory meeting 21 January in Copenhagen, Denmark
January 2003

EGCN members from European housing associations, energy & environmental building institutes, national energy centres and research institutes, builders, consultants and city representatives etc. met in Copenhagen to discuss and plan for setting up a proposal in line with previous formulated EGCN Expressions of Interest. Deadline for proposal is 18 march 2003.

Conference and training workshops Westerlo, Belgium
1-4 October 2002

Looking at the European market for solar energy, it shows remarkable potential in most countries for extended application of solar technologies in the building and housing sectors.

As an example, the total amount of annual installed solar collector area in Belgium is less than installed collector area in Austria within two weeks.

Therefore the main objective of the conference was to present current know-how on European level to the region of Flanders. However, all participants interested in solar energy technologies and optimisation were welcome - and each day some 90 participants were activily taking part in presentations and discussion.

Presentations from European and Belgian experts, as well as a show case of realised demonstration projects, were given for inspiration and know-how transfer about different uses and application of efficient solar energy.

All presentations are available in pdf format.

Abstracts included in each presentation in English and Dutch (Flemish) language. Presentation language is English, marked UK or Dutch (Flemish), marked D.

EGCN Training in Centre for Sustainable Building in Westerlo, Belgium
3-4 October 2002

Three workshops were developed to complement the two day conference on integrated solar technologies and energy efficient glazing in the building and housing sector on 1-2 October 2002, also in Westerloo, Belgium.

The training module will enable participants to bring demonstrated technologies and best practices exhibited at the conference into own building and housing projects, and furthermore apply principles of sustainability for designing and developing housing projects.

The workshops wew open for professionals in the housing sector, architects, developers, urban planners and policy makers.

Two of the three workshops aimed at practioners; one regarded the implementation of active solar energy in buildings, and the other regarded glazing or the passive use of solar energy.

A third workshop were focusing on policy making in relation to solar energy.

The workshops provided the participants with simple and practical tools to implement active and passive solar energy in housing projects.

See a presentation of the Centre for Sustainable Building in Westerlo; Belgium (pdf format 4,6 mb)

EGCN partner meeting on 22-23 April, Salzburg, Austria
April 2002

During this reporting period the 3rd Steering Committee meeting took place in Salzburg, Austria, on 22-23 April 2002, where project partners amongst others visited two selected recently built new innovative housing projects. Visit the housing project “Stieglgründe in Salzburg" comprising 128 dwellings demonstrating very interesting low energy principles for blocks of flats.

EGCN partner meeting on 22-23 November, Volos, Greece
November 2001

Steering Committee meeting number 2 was held in Volos, Greece, on 22-23 November hosted by the Greek partner, Demekav. Project partners elaborated on programme for the first EGCN conference with inspiration among others from visiting the Palaia - High-tech preservation of architectural heritage in Volos, Greece

Start up EGCN partner meeting, Malmö, Sweden, and Copenhagen, Denmark
September 2001

Official project start was 1 July 2001. During the first months of the project the partners mainly prepared for the first Steering Committee meeting on 2-3 September 2001 in Copenhagen and Malmö, where the impressive housing exhibition Bo01 was taking place.
For further information about Bo01 click here: http://www.map21ltd.com/scan-green/bo01.htm

Our programmes are available above in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF). To read these files a viewer such as Acrobat Reader or Acrobat Exchange is required. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded from Adobe Systems’ home page free of charge.

Download Acrobat Reader

EGCN Secretariat ● C/O European Green Cities ● Phone: +45 33 22 90 90 ● e-mail: jf@greencities.eu

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