Potentials and limitations for energy refurbishment of multi-family residential buildings built in Belgrade before the world war one

Abstract

After the adoption of new Regulations on Energy Efficiency of Buildings, energy efficiency became the primary issue of the present building practice in Serbia, referring both to new buildings and to existing ones, among which refurbishment of buildings built before the World War One requires a special attention. Devastation of the building stock during the great wars of the 20th century and the late start of the European model of urban development in the second half of the 19th century in the most parts of Serbia are the main reasons that pre-1919 multi-family houses today represent about 1% of the total building stock. The rarity of the buildings of this age and their structures resulted with large number of them that are listed as cultural heritage, so any intervention on them, including those which are result of the adjustment to modern needs and building rules, becomes especially sensitive and complex. In particular, this refers to energy improvement measures which, according to new regulations, are an inevitable part of any building intervention. Having in mind all the mentioned aspects, and focused on the relevant examples of multi-family houses from Belgrade, this paper deals with investigation of potentials and limitations for energy refurbishment of buildings and building structures dating from the time before the World War One.