Territorial characteristics of energy modernization: The case of panel buildings in Pécs

Abstract

The energy efficiency status of residential buildings is a prominent urban development issue today, as appropriate external renovations can achieve significant reductions in harmful emissions. In Pécs, a substantial proportion of the housing stock consists of panel-type apartment buildings, whose distribution across the city’s ten districts exhibits marked spatial differentiation. The aim of this study is to examine the spatial distribution of energy modernization in these panel buildings. Another objective is to identify the differentiating factors behind the disparities between districts and to propose recommendations for the development of areas that have been partially or entirely excluded from modernization efforts. For the analysis, we primarily used secondary data from previous energy modernization surveys, provided by the city hall. After statistical processing, the data were visualized using GIS software to reveal and illustrate spatial differences. The evaluation of factors was complemented by semi-structured interviews with the head of the city operations department. During field visits, observations were documented with notes and photographic records. The results confirm previous assumptions: the western districts have the highest proportion of renovated buildings, the southern districts represent a transitional zone, and the eastern districts are the least modernized. Furthermore, the findings highlight spatial influencing factors that create distinctive, significantly divergent patterns in individual districts compared to the city average. The recommendations address opportunities and tools for involving panel buildings that have been excluded from past modernization efforts.