INN'FIT4UM - Innsbruck "Fit4UrbanMission" - climate neutral Innsbruck 2030

Status

completed (August 2022)

Starting point

The city of Innsbruck set up a Smart City Group a few years ago, which consist of members from the city council, the Innsbrucker Immobiliengesellschaft (IIG), the Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe(IKB) and the Innsbrucker Verkehrsbetriebe(IVB). This group, together with the University of Innsbruck, applied for the R&D service within the Fit4UrbanMission.

Contents and goals

The aim was to develop a step-by-step plan to achieve climate neutrality in the city based on preliminary work combined with scientific expertise and to identify potential areas that could be designated as priority pilot areas. For this purpose, an existing neighbourhood was selected to serve as a case study for investigations regarding the building sector, energy supply, mobility and the A SWOT analysis was carried out to determine the current state in these specific fields across the city of Innsbruck.

Methods

Within the framework of a stakeholder workshop, a general overview of the current situation of the city was elaborated. Additionally, various scenarios were used to examine how Innsbruck can succeed in supplying energy without fossil fuels in the building sector by 2030 and 2040 respectively.

Based on a bottom-up approach, the energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the mobility sector were carried using mobility and transport data. This procedure was selected because of data availability and the allowance of working out the starting points for measures more clearly. Regarding the urban climate, investigations were carried out consisting of the degree of surface sealing and vegetation as well as their interaction with stormwater management.

Decarbonisation by 2040 in the building sector would be achievable if very ambitious refurbishment and boiler replacement rates started immediately and investments were made in the necessary manufacturing capacities accordingly.

The technology scenario for mobility shows that by converting power units to the most direct use of electrical energy possible, not only climate neutrality could be achieved, but significant energy savings would be possible too. To enable rapid CO2 savings and to further reduce the energy demand, a change in behaviour within the mobility sector should be aimed at, leading to an increase in the shares of active mobility (walking and cycling, which do not consume energy), and of the more energy-efficient public transportation.

Expected results

Promoting urban green improves the urban climate, while green roofs and facades additionally help to save energy during summer months. However, to maintain the cooling effect, strategic stormwater management is imperative, which not only ensures a sustainable water supply but also approximates a natural water cycle.

The analyses within the Fit4UrbanMission confirm preliminary work and provide impetus for further developments. Specifically, this has resulted in a municipal commitment to strive for climate neutrality in Innsbruck by 2040.

This goal requires incorporation of powerful groups, thus, can only be achieved together with the largest municipal stakeholders. The submission to the "Pioneer City" tender is planned based on the present results.

Project management

Municipality of Innsbruck

Project or cooperation partners

• Innsbrucker Immobiliengesellschaft mbH
• Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe AG
• Innsbrucker Verkehrsbetriebe und Stubaitalbahn GmbH
• Universität Innsbruck

Klaus Kleewein
Maria-Theresien-Straße 18
A-6020 Innsbruck
Tel.: +43 (512) 5360 2460
E-mail: Klaus.kleewein@magibk.at
Web: www.innsbruck.gv.at