Conceptualising the urban transformative capacity of underprivileged neighbourhoods for realising just energy transitions

Abstract
Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) are put forward as a building block to facilitate the transition towards climate-neutral cities and sustainable energy systems. While PEDs are pivotal for realising climate objectives, the concept is difficult to apply in existing, underprivileged neighbourhoods, because it underestimates social and political dimensions of neighbourhood energy transitions, and therefore risks to perpetuate or even exacerbate energy injustices. This research uses a spatially-sensitive approach to scrutinise energy injustices and rethink vulnerability stigmas. Drawing on the concept of urban transformative capacity, the paper develops a four-track approach focusing on collective-inclusive visioning, collective actions, institutional-community co-evolution and socio-technical innovation to foster collective agency. This framework serves as a basis for further case-study research aimed at achieving just urban transformations. Keywords: underprivileged neighbourhoods, Positive Energy Districts, urban transformative capacity, place-based, collective agency
Description
Game changer? Planning for just and sustainable urban regions, Paris, 8-12th July 2024
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CC-BY
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