REHSIA

Climate change is predicted to increase temperatures and expose people to extreme heat. To counteract the effects of climate change, the governmental bodies of South Tyrol have designed adaptation strategies involving citizens and other stakeholders, including advice for physiological and behavioural adaptation during a heat wave.

In South Tyrol, the “Piano Clima Alto Adige 2040 – KlimaPlan 2040” has been adopted to pursue the goal of climate neutrality in the region. This plan aligns with the EPBD Recast, aiming to reduce emissions from existing buildings, mandate zero-emission standards for new buildings, and prevent energy poverty.

The project REsilient HouSIng for the Alpine region (REHSIA) will contribute to improving the energy efficiency of buildings, thereby mitigating the effects of climate change and providing means for adapting buildings to increased temperatures. This result will be pursued by combining general knowledge of building practices and recent ethnographic data from specific households in Bolzano.

OBJECTIVES:

REHSIA will contribute to reaching the objective of climate neutrality set out in the KlimaPlan 2040 by improving the local knowledge on overheating mitigation by specifically using data collected locally. Its main objectives consist of (a) assessing the potential impact of overheating in low-energy housing in South Tyrol and (b) developing recommendations for designing and operating low-energy houses that adapt and are resilient to the increased risk of overheating associated with climate change

STRATEGY:

REHSIA will review adaptive comfort literature, update empirical evidence, and integrate findings with ethnographic data. It will also analyse local energy regulations and conduct interviews with Klimahaus Institute staff. Building simulations will predict thermal performance under various climate scenarios.

IMPACT:

REHSIA addresses overheating in low-energy buildings, enhancing energy efficiency and comfort. Aligned with regional strategies, it contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability. Recommendations empower local designers and occupants, offering valuable case studies for other regions in Italy.

This fellowship is financed by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Bozen through the Initiatives to Promote the International Mobility of Researchers LG 14/2006 (Decree 14978/2024).