Urban Renewal Presents a Major Opportunity for Energy Efficiency

İzocam General Manager Levent Gökçe, stating that urban regeneration is necessary for creating sustainable cities, said: "We view urban regeneration as an important opportunity, particularly for the rapid and safe renewal of low-quality housing stock within unplanned urban sprawl, achieving more effective energy efficiency, creating comfortable living spaces and attaining a healthy environment. Urban regeneration must be utilized in the most efficient way possible. Construction of new buildings with thermal and acoustic insulation, high energy efficiency and fire safety will limit energy consumption. As of the end of 2016 in Turkey, of the building stock exceeding 9.4 million, only 14.9% is properly insulated in compliance with TS 825 Thermal Insulation Rules for Buildings according to a conservative estimate... This figure covers 30.8% of the existing housing stock of 23.4 million. Urban regeneration will enable this figure to increase further," he said.

Addressing the matters requiring attention in the insulation of urban regeneration projects, Levent Gökçe said: "Inspections must be carried out intensively to prevent the use of thin and low-quality insulation materials.

The use of thicker insulation material enables proportional increase in savings without raising other costs in the system. Urban regeneration is an opportunity not only for thermal insulation but also for acoustic insulation… Acoustic insulation can be reduced to the desired level through specific calculations based on preventing sound from passing through a partition and stopping sound at certain rates. The use of mineral fiber boards such as rock wool and glass wool in building construction is important for acoustic insulation... Insulation must be applied not only to the outside of the building but also to interior wall partitions, between floors, in ceilings and intermediate spaces. Additionally, insulation of stairwells and elevator shafts reduces sound transmission and provides acoustic comfort. One of the solutions provided by insulation is fire safety… Urban regeneration must be well evaluated for fire safety. In particular, the rates of loss of life and property in fires caused by unplanned urbanization can be reduced this way. Buildings must comply with the Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings, with rock wool and glass wool being an indispensable choice, particularly in high-rise buildings… Fire insulation varies depending on the height and location of buildings. The regulation requires the use of A1 class non-flammable rock wool material in plastered external facade thermal insulation systems for fire safety in buildings 28.5 meters or taller. Where plastic products are used, application of fire barriers is required. Furthermore, according to the regulation, use of A class materials classified as non-flammable in floor-to-floor spaces in high-rise buildings has been made mandatory.

Glass wool and rock wool, which are resistant to high temperatures, provide high protection in fire insulation," he said.

Levent Gökçe, emphasizing the importance of urban regeneration for our country to attain a healthy environment, said: "Further limiting the energy consumption of buildings to be constructed in urban regeneration; will support Turkey's Climate Change National Action Plan and Energy Efficiency Strategy Document targets, similar to the EU's 2020 targets, and will enable the dissemination of innovative applications. According to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directives published by the European Parliament, as of 31 December 2020, all new buildings will be near-zero energy buildings. This near-future target must also be taken into account when implementing urban regeneration. On the other hand, measures to be taken in buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are extremely important. Achieving the targets in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the UN is only possible through insulation. The declaration includes the necessity for newly constructed residential and service buildings to be constructed in an energy-efficient manner in compliance with the Energy Performance Regulation for Buildings. On the other hand, the obligation to create Energy Performance Certificates in buildings to keep greenhouse gas emissions under control and to reduce energy consumption over the years is also emphasized. The declaration reminds once again the necessity of developing incentive channels such as tax reduction and credit in making new and existing buildings energy efficient. To achieve the targets contained in the NDC, minimizing energy needs through the dissemination of green building, passive house and zero-energy house designs is important. Achieving the passive houses mentioned in the Buildings and Urban Regeneration section of the NDC is only possible through correct design and thick insulation application," he said.