Strategic Prioritization of Residential Buildings for Equitable and Sustainable Renovation

The prioritization of energy renovations is critical to achieving sustainability goals and addressing socio-economic disparities in building stock. This study proposes a novel hybrid MultiCriteria Decision-Making framework for identifying and prioritizing residential buildings for energy efficiency upgrades. By integrating granular building-level data, such as energy performance and construction year, with socio-economic indicators like energy poverty and municipal income, the framework provides a comprehensive and equitable approach. Using Python for data integration and analysis, the methodology applies weighted factors to calculate the Building Priority Factor and the Municipal Energy Poverty Factor. A prioritization analysis for Slovenia demonstrates significant regional disparities in energy savings potential and renovation priorities, with some regions emerging as high-priority targets due to their aging infrastructure and elevated energy poverty levels. Conversely, densely populated urban regions with larger cities show lower prioritization needs. The proposed framework addresses limitations in existing methods by incorporating socio-economic and spatial data, enabling a dynamic and scalable approach to financial incentives. This approach aligns with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, providing actionable insights for national renovation plans. The findings highlight the importance of targeted, regionally tailored interventions to maximize energy savings, reduce inequities, and support sustainable development goals.