Knowledge Integration for Neighborhoods in Energy Transition led by Inclusive Communities
KINETIC aimed to accelerate the transformation of neighbourhoods into Positive Energy Districts by bringing cities, experts and local communities together to co-create feasible energy transition strategies. Its distinctive approach put communities at the centre of change, combining technical expertise with participatory planning and local knowledge to enable sustainable, locally driven neighbourhood transformation.
KINETIC – Knowledge Integration for Neighbourhoods in Energy Transition led by Inclusive Communities addresses the challenge of transforming existing urban neighbourhoods into Positive Energy Districts (PEDs), particularly where fragmented planning, limited awareness, weak stakeholder cooperation and the cost of green technologies hinder energy transition. The project brings together cities, researchers, planners and local communities to develop and test an integrated approach to PED transformation across three European neighbourhoods in Bucharest, Copenhagen and Parma. It combines assessment of neighbourhood energy potential with participatory planning and community capacity building. KINETIC's approach connects technical knowledge with local needs and decision-making. Through Local Energy Communities, co-creation processes and community-oriented planning tools, local stakeholders are involved in understanding their neighbourhood's energy potential, identifying feasible solutions and shaping pathways for transformation. The project develops tools including the PED assessment methodology, Energy Transformation Roadmap, Energy Agenda and Local Energy Climate Pact, linking technical options with planning, governance and investment considerations. The intended transformation is therefore not only technological. KINETIC seeks to enable community-driven neighbourhood energy transition, helping local actors move from being passive energy users towards active participants in planning, decision-making and, where appropriate, local energy production and management. The experience of the three demonstration sites is used to develop transferable methodologies and support replication in other neighbourhoods and cities.
