Smart UP – Development of an urban district in the city of Graz towards a Reuse & Up-cycling centre

Contents and goals

Target of the project is the development of an energy and resource efficient innovation district. In cooperation with the surrounding industrial and trade firms in and around the area of the existing factory building of BAN Sozialökonomische BetriebsgmbH (BAN) a Reuse & Up-cycling District will be developed. An intelligent network between the existing objects with different use generates a resource and energy network. The conversion of the existing repair and reuse factory into a vertical, glassy factory, the installation of offices, repair workshops, a repair café, upcycling shops and a childcare will upgrade the area on social, ecological and energetic level and transform the area into a new city district that attracts more entrepreneurs active in the field of resource efficiency.

Methods of treatment

Based on stakeholder analysis, written and oral inquiries and manifold participation formats a common vision of all participants for the quarter will be developed. The evaluation of actual data concerning energy and resource consumption generates the basis for the design of a holistic energy and resource concept.

Expected results / conclusions

The Smart UP project demonstrates the transformation of an unattractive brown field into an energy and resource efficient city district with an innovative mix of industrial and trade firms, and social infrastructure. Results and findings from the research project will form the basis for future implementation and will generate common knowledge for the transformation of inner-city brown fields into energy and resource efficient innovation districts.