Towards Zero Emissions - Developer dynamics in Nearly Zero Energy Buildings
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2025-07-17
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en
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This thesis investigates how project developers in Nijmegen deal with the requirements for Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEBs) and how they collaborate with governments and stakeholders in practice. The urgency stems from climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with European and national regulations (such as the EPBD) increasingly tightening energy performance standards.
Using Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, a case study in the Nijmegen Station Area was conducted through interviews with developers, policymakers and experts, complemented by policy documents. The research highlights both opportunities and bottlenecks in the realization of nZEBs. Developers acknowledge the importance of sustainability but often face complex and sometimes contradictory policies, making compliance with BENG standards challenging. Governments, in turn, struggle with limited capacity and room for customization.
The thesis concludes that stronger cooperation and clearer policy frameworks are essential to achieve sustainable ambitions. Recommendations for developers include adopting an integrated, district-level approach, working in multidisciplinary teams, investing in innovative systems, developing collective energy solutions, and making sustainability more visible and measurable for end users. These steps can structurally embed sustainability in development processes and create long-term value.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen