Press release
Leibniz Universität Hannover and the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam: New Impetus for Climate-Oriented Neighbourhood Development
The "Q-LCA" research project conducted by the Leibniz Universität Hannover and the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam clearly shows that effective climate protection in the construction sector must start at the urban and neighbourhood planning stage. This final report is the first to systematically expand the consideration of ecological impacts to include urban planning and structural factors. This reveals additional influencing factors that will have a significant impact on the emissions of future neighbourhoods.
In the context of climate-friendly construction, the focus for many years has been on the energy-efficient generation of heating energy and structural thermal insulation. However, the fact that the building sector has already missed its climate targets for several years in a row shows that these measures are not enough. However, there are other options for architects and planners to make a significant contribution to achieving climate neutrality. This is evident from the recently completed "Q-LCA" research project. This analysis, entitled "Analysis of the ecological impact of different types of housing developments in new neighbourhoods over their life cycle", was carried out by Leibniz Universität Hannover and the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.
The analysis concludes that structural density, living space requirements per person and the generation of household electricity can also have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Avoiding underground car parks can have a significant impact on global warming potential.
"The key to these findings was that we chose a much broader scope for our research than is usual for conventional life cycle analyses in the construction sector," says Prof Dr Michael Prytula from the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. "Instead of focussing solely on balancing the construction and operation of individual buildings, we have made it our task to also include infrastructural, urban development and demographic aspects in our analysis."
Taking these factors into account is urgently necessary, especially in view of the required acceleration in residential construction, so that the goal of climate neutrality can be achieved despite accelerated construction activities. "Climate-friendly construction doesn't just start with building construction, but must be taken into account as early as the urban planning stage," says Tim Rieniets, urban planner and professor at Leibniz Universität Hannover, summarising the research findings. "Even at this early stage, decisions are made that have a very significant and long-term impact on the greenhouse gas potential of a neighbourhood."
The authors of the research project have just published the aspects that should be taken into account in the climate-friendly planning of settlements and neighbourhoods in the research report and in a handout for planning practice (Q-LCA - Urban development characteristics of climate-oriented neighbourhood planning). The handout clearly describes the effects and interdependencies of the various influencing factors on greenhouse gas emissions. It is aimed primarily at architects, planners, decision-makers in construction policy and the property industry and anyone else interested in climate-friendly planning.
Further information:
https://www.fh-potsdam.de/forschung-transfer/projekte/q-lca
Research report:
Prytula, M.; Rieniets, T.; Rosenberger, J.; Hack, J.; Stallmann, L.; Gebhardt, N., 2025: Q-LCA: Analyse der ökologischen Auswirkungen unterschiedlicher Siedlungstypen in Neubauquartieren über ihren Lebenszyklus. BBSR-Online-Publikation 51/2025. Bonn.
https://doi.org/10.58007/f371-1157
Handreichung für die Planungspraxis:
Rieniets, T., Rosenberger, J., Prytula, M., Hack, J., 2025: Q-LCA. Städtebauliche Merkmale einer klimaorientierten Quartiersplanung.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17866335
