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Circular and inclusive renovation of Trollhättan's public housing

We need more knowledge about how circular renovation can contribute to both socially and economically sustainable housing provision. In this project, IVL's experts collaborate with the City of Trollhättan and the Eidar public housing company, to understand the relationship between climate impacts, circular construction processes and social sustainability.

The construction and property sector currently produces approximately 21% of Sweden's climate emissions. For a successful climate transition, all buildings must be much more energy efficient. The renovation of existing stock must be carried out with the least greenhouse gas emissions possible; here, re-use and circular construction can play decisive roles. There is potential to reduce CO2 by 2200 tonnes of CO2-e per year, calculating only on the re-use of interior construction products. And circularity is still a new concept, with many challenges to investigate and solutions to develop.

The unexplored social dimension

In the circular economy, demands are increasing on users' ability and authority to increase the service life and value of products and materials by way of inclusion, care and maintenance. At the same time, the social dimension of multi-dwelling buildings is the least researched area, and there is a lack of studies about how residents can be given influence and co-creativity with the aim of fostering circular methods and processes.

Another important social aspect of renovation is rent increases. Following a renovation, rents in public housing are raised by 15% on average, while in the private sector this figure has reached 60%. Post-renovation rent increases are especially hard on low-income groups, and threaten to force them from their homes, further accelerating residential segregation.

New solutions for sustainably renovated housing

Collaborating in this project are experts in circular construction and sustainable urban development from IVL, along with Trollhättan Municipality and the public housing company Eidar. The aim is to understand the relationship between climate impacts, circular construction processes and social sustainability, as well as to create new work methods and solutions for renovating the city's housing stock. The findings will be able to be communicated and scaled up in other similar situations.

Project facts

  • Project name: Circular and inclusive renovation of Trollhättan's public housing
  • Budget: SEK 1.5 million, of which IVL supplies SEK 650,000
  • Funding body: Formas
  • Partner: City of Trollhättan, Eidar
  • Period: 2023 - 2024