The definition, characterization and implementation of Positive Energy Districts is crucial in the path towards urban decarbonization and energy transition. However, several issues still must be addressed: the need for a clear and comprehensive definition, and the settlement of a consistent design approach for Positive Energy Districts. As emerged throughout the workshop held during the fourth edition of Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions Conference (SSPCR 2022) in Bolzano (Italy), further critical points are also linked to the planning, modeling and assessment steps, besides sustainability aspects and stakeholders’ involvement. The “World Café” methodology adopted during the workshop allowed for simple—but also effective and flexible—group discussions focused on the detection of key PED characteristics, such as morphologic, socio-economic, demographic, technological, quality-of-life and feasibility factors. Four main work groups were defined in order to allow them to share, compare and discuss around five main PED-related topics: energy efficiency, energy flexibility, e-mobility, soft mobility, and low-carbon generation. Indeed, to properly deal with PED challenges and crucial aspects, it is necessary to combine and balance these technologies with enabler factors like financing instruments, social innovation and involvement, innovative governance and far-sighted policies. This paper proposes, in a structured form, the main outcomes of the co-creation approach developed during the workshop. The importance of implementing a holistic approach was highlighted: it requires a systematic and consistent integration of economic, environmental and social aspects directly connected to an interdisciplinary cross-sectorial collaboration between researchers, policymakers, industries, municipalities, and citizens. Furthermore, it was reaffirmed that, to make informed and reasoned decisions throughout an effective PED design and planning process, social, ecological, and cultural factors (besides merely technical aspects) play a crucial role. Thanks to the valuable insights and recommendations gathered from the workshop participants, a conscious awareness of key issues in PED design and implementation emerged, and the fundamental role of stakeholders in the PED development path was confirmed.

The transition towards climate-neutral energy systems requires exploiting local renewable and residual energy sources to decarbonise the heating and cooling sector. District Heating and Cooling Networks (DHCNs) are key infrastructures for integrating Waste Heat (WH) into urban energy systems, but comprehensive spatial data on WH availability are often lacking and difficult to retrieve. This study develops a methodology for mapping WH potential from both industrial and tertiary sectors, providing critical information for the decarbonisation and expansion of existing DHCNs. The approach combines open geographic datasets, statistical information, and literature-based coefficients within a structured workflow to estimate potential annual WH availability at different temperature levels, along with its hourly profiles. The outcome is a detailed spatio-temporal characterisation of WH, presented in a geospatial package containing the georeferenced annual WH potential, coupled with a dataset of hourly profiles for each activity during a typical meteorological year. The methodology is applied to a case study in Milan with three main objectives: first, to test and validate the reliability proposed approach; second, to discuss the implications of WH integration in the development of a DHCN modernisation scenario; and third, to assess the uncertainty of waste heat potential estimation through comparison with Danish and Austrian reference databases. Thus, this study offers a replicable framework for WH potential mapping, supporting decision-making and planning for sustainable DHCNs and urban energy transition strategies.

Global warming, which has accelerated significantly since 1970, is driving rapid and observable climate change (IPCC AR6 2023). Southern European countries, particularly those in the Mediterranean region, are disproportionately affected due to their already hot and dry summer climates, making them highly vulnerable to rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns. Climate change exacerbate the situation, leading to more frequent extreme weather events and critical challenges such as heatwaves, droughts, and both fluvial and pluvial flooding.In the ClimEmpower project[1] [2], funded under the Horizon Europe program, five South-European regions characterized by high climate risk and low adaptive capacity were studied to strengthen climate resilience. To empower these regions, a comprehensive analysis of climate-related data, services, and resilience indicators was conducted and regional partners involved to understand their specific needs and primary climate-related challenges, and to identify critical gaps along with methodologies to address them. A key focus of this inter- and transdisciplinary approach was the development and study of resilience indicators, which are essential for assessing the current state of resilience in these regions and for monitoring progress towards improved resilience over time.This paper presents key findings from the comprehensive analysis of existing datasets and services related to climate hazards, impacts, exposure, and vulnerabilities, as well as gaps identified through collaboration with regional stakeholders. Additionally, an overview of climate change resilience indicators is provided which is based on an extensive analysis of approximately 500 indicators across climate, socio-economic, and governance domains. The analysis reveals an uneven distribution of indicators across different sectors, with a predominant focus on environmental, economic, and governance topics, while critical areas such as water and waste management, food security, and urban planning are notably underrepresented. Significant gaps between available data and indicators for representing region-specific needs were identified, highlighting the importance of prioritizing indicators that are meaningful and actionable for localized adaptation efforts.Concluding, the study demonstrates that not all indicators hold equal relevance across all regions and quality, and relevance should be prioritized over the sheer quantity of indicators. Thus, the emphasis should be placed on indicators with high significance and ability to support the development of region-specific pathways to enhance climate resilience in vulnerable South-European regions, ensuring that resources are directed toward the most critical areas of need. [1] Climempower.eu. ABOUT—ClimEMPOWER. 2023. Available online: https://climempower.eu/about/ (accessed on 9 January 2025). [2] Xekalakis, G.; Lopez, P.M.; Ruiz, M.A.; Tötzer, T.; Kaleta, P.; Karystinakis, K.; Moumtzidou, A.; Forjan, R.; Christou, P.; Anastasiou, C.; et al. User-Driven Climate Resilience Across Southern European Regions. Climate 2025, 13, 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli13010002

Southern European countries, particularly those in the Mediterranean region face a disproportionate impact from global warming due to their already hot and arid summer climates. These areas are increasingly experiencing extreme heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and severe fluvial and pluvial flooding, which often result in critical situations and cities struggling to cope with these challenges. In the European project ClimEmpower (climempower.eu), funded under the Horizon Europe program, we are collaborating with local stakeholders in five South-European regions strengthen their capacity to address these pressing climate-related challenges and build resilience for the future. Our primary goal is to support local authorities in addressing climate risks and improving their adaptive capacity. To achieve this, Communities of Practice (CoP) were established to enable knowledge exchange, identify regional needs, and co-create climate-resilient strategies. Using a transdisciplinary approach, we assessed data and climate services, engaged stakeholders to address key challenges, and identified critical gaps alongside methods to address them. A key focus was on developing and refining resilience indicators, ensuring they are actionable and meaningful for local adaptation efforts. Researchers collaborated closely with regional stakeholders through surveys, meetings, and CoP discussions to gather input, identify gaps, and tailor solutions. This partnership integrated scientific expertise with local knowledge and priorities, emphasizing the importance of indicator relevance over quantity. The study concluded that building stakeholder capacity and focusing on effective, context-specific indicators are essential for creating pathways to enhance climate resilience.