Motivation

As part of the project, criteria and process proposals for the evaluation of neighborhoods were developed to enable a holistic assessment of neighborhood development projects based on comprehensive quality standards. In doing so, reference is made to existing evaluation systems, and compatibility is ensured. In addition to the sustainability criteria introduced, the other dimensions of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) as well as process quality were also taken into account.

Situation

In the sense described, the mission of a climate-neutral city is necessarily linked not only to sustainability but also to aesthetics and social inclusion. Current rating systems for buildings and neighborhoods focus on ecological sustainability. Therefore, the project first examined existing rating models for neighborhoods. Building on the predecessor project NEBKrit - Quality Criteria for Buildings and Neighborhoods Based on the New European Bauhaus and the building rating models examined therein, potential criteria and rating processes were analyzed and compared.

Content and objectives

The innovation of the project lies in the integration of these three areas (sustainability, aesthetics, social inclusion) as a further development and linkage of established models, and in the consideration of both the criteria and the assessment methodology itself (with a focus on the interplay of individual aspects) as well as in process proposals for their application not only in assessment but also in project development and grant applications.

Methodological approach

Based on the analysis of existing evaluation models in the field of neighborhood development and the results of the predecessor project NEBKrit—particularly regarding the analysis of building evaluation systems—potentially transferable criteria and process proposals were identified. In two interdisciplinary stakeholder workshops, further proposals were gathered, and all models were discussed and critiqued in order to develop an initial draft for a new assessment model based on these inputs. This assessment model was applied in two test cases, evaluated based on the tests, adapted, and presented for discussion in a final workshop prior to finalization.

Results

A set of criteria was developed based on the dimensions and working principles of the NEB as well as the results of the NEBKrit study; a process proposal for development and evaluation was also created, which demonstrates how the criteria can be applied. The criteria model comprises 19 categories with a total of 61 criteria across five dimensions.

Evaluation process

The evaluation process is divided into two sections: pre-check and main check. The pre-check takes place at the beginning of project development, when no plans or finalized concepts are yet available. Here, the fundamentals of the planned project are assessed via a simple multiple-choice and single-choice questionnaire, and funding for concept development is allocated. The main check is intended for project phases following "Phase 0" (the pre-planning phase), when more development and planning decisions have already been made. In line with the increased complexity in these phases of neighborhood development, a more comprehensive questionnaire must be completed, and higher funding amounts are typically awarded. Both stages follow a two-step evaluation process: first, a consultation and preliminary assessment, followed by a review by an interdisciplinary panel.

Conclusions

This project demonstrates that combining criteria for process quality, environmental sustainability, aesthetics, and social inclusion—in conjunction with a qualitative perspective—leads to a more comprehensive assessment of neighborhood development projects than is possible through sector-specific and purely quantitative evaluation models. In particular, the focus on process quality proves to be central. Many neighborhood development projects address ecological, design, and social issues through innovative approaches that often cannot be adequately captured by overly limited evaluation models. A well-founded evaluation of such projects should therefore always adopt a broad, multidimensional perspective. The impact of a neighborhood development project arises from the complex interplay of the three pillars of sustainability (eco-logical, economic, social/cultural). This insight aligns with the fundamental principles of the NEB. The evaluation model is based on the dimensions of the NEB and integrates the NEB's working principles. In contrast to highly specific approaches, a more open methodological approach was chosen to enable an adequate assessment of diverse and, in particular, innovative approaches. The development of the criteria model showed that a qualitative approach is necessary for evaluating aesthetic criteria and most criteria related to social inclusion. Purely quantitative methods prove unsuitable for adequately capturing these dimensions.

Outlook

An important goal of this project was the integration of subsidy allocation and consulting for neighborhood development projects. This linkage can significantly enhance the quality of subsidized projects while simultaneously contributing to the further development of funding instruments. At the European and international levels, a more comprehensive study of existing evaluation models should be undertaken. In parallel, a systematic consolidation of all activities related to NEB qualification is necessary to identify synergies and avoid methodological redundancies.

Project management

Plattform Baukulturpolitik

Project or cooperation partners

IBR & I Institute of Building Research & Innovation ZT GmbH

Plattform Baukulturpolitik
Robert Temel
Wipplingerstraße 23/3
A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (699) 1 946 73 10
E-mail: robert.temel@baukulturpolitik.at
Web: www.baukulturpolitik.at