The SDH is a digital tool designed to collect, analyze, and plan building renovations. It has been tested across five European countries—Austria, Germany, Croatia, Italy, and Poland—in real-world pilot regions, taking into account regional specificities and practical requirements.
Across Europe, the Smart Data Hub was tested in a variety of real-world settings to reflect regional needs and building types. In Austria, the city of Bruck an der Mur focused on seven public buildings—nicknamed “the 7 sins” due to their poor thermal performance. In Germany, the municipal housing company WBG Nuremberg applied the SDH to a diverse portfolio of residential buildings as part of their long-term renovation strategy. Croatia selected 20 public buildings—mainly schools, kindergartens, and health facilities—across four counties to assess renovation needs and investment opportunities. In Poland, 20 buildings in the regions of Mazovia and Świętokrzyskie, including hospitals and schools, were chosen to address high energy demand and identify cost-effective retrofitting options. Meanwhile, in Italy, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, supported by the ClimateHouse Agency, is using the SDH to evaluate and plan refurbishment measures for seven of its most energy-intensive public buildings.
The SDH offers:
– Structured data collection through on-site audits
– In-depth analysis of building conditions, energy performance, and financing options
– A scalable, adaptable system ready for use in other regions
What’s next?
Now that the pilot activities enter their final stage, the roll-out begins. Cities, municipalities, and other public stakeholders are invited to adopt the tool. Dissemination will happen through regional networks, municipal platforms, and final project events. In Austria, for example, the “Gemeindeservice” platform will support outreach, while in Germany, the Energy Agency of Northern Bavaria will pass on experience to other regions. In Italy, the SDH will be presented to all ComuneClima municipalities, and in Poland, the Warsaw Metropolis Association is a key multiplier for future roll-out.