The FAVORIT+ initiative proposes an integrated approach to the sustainable renovation of apartment buildings constructed during the communist era, combining solutions inspired by nature, technology, and community involvement. The project aims to transform collective housing into energy-efficient spaces adapted to current environmental requirements, contributing to increased urban resilience and the achievement of climate neutrality.
The interventions focus on using eco-friendly materials as an alternative to conventional solutions, integrating renewable energy sources, and developing digital tools to optimize energy consumption, while promoting the concept of an energy community through the active involvement of residents in the transformation process.
The initiative addresses an acute need at the urban level, particularly in Sector 6, where the Favorit neighborhood is home to a significant number of apartment buildings constructed between 1950 and 1990, characterized by outdated infrastructure, high energy consumption, and a lack of integrated modernization solutions.
FAVORIT+: Innovative Solutions for Urban Regeneration
To address the challenges of a lack of substantial renovations, the use of inefficient technologies, and limited access to sustainable solutions, FAVORIT+ is developing and testing a set of integrated solutions:
- Nature-inspired solutions: assessing locally available biomass and using it as an eco-friendly alternative for the renovation of a pilot multi-family building, while also contributing to the development of a local industry based on sustainable materials.
- Technical solutions: installation of biosolar technologies on the pilot building and three other buildings selected through an open call, as well as the implementation of smart systems to optimize energy consumption.
- Community-centered solutions: transforming the former Favorit Restaurant into a community innovation center, designed to facilitate collaboration between residents, authorities, and specialists, for the development of solutions tailored to local needs.
ADIZMB will contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the innovative solution proposed by FAVORIT+ by collecting quantitative and qualitative data, integrating information provided by citizens as well as digitally generated data, correlating data and modeling impact, increasing visibility, and maximizing communication and dissemination of the project within the metropolitan area as well as internationally. A key objective is to stimulate community participation and co-design activities through digital tools, events, and campaigns, while promoting collaboration with other relevant EU projects and networks supporting the energy transition and climate neutrality.
Main activities and implementation milestones
October 2025: project launch and commencement of analyses regarding the condition of the building stock and available local resources.
2026: selection of the pilot building and the other three participating properties, as well as the initiation of sustainable renovation works.
2026–2027: implementation of biosolar solutions and testing of alternative eco-friendly materials.
2027–2028: development and integration of an artificial intelligence-based system for monitoring and optimizing energy consumption.
2028–2029: operationalization of the community innovation center and dissemination of project results.
FAVORIT+ benefits for the community and the environment
- Increased energy efficiency: reducing energy consumption and associated costs for residents.
- Promotion of sustainable materials: using biomass and reducing dependence on polluting materials.
- Community involvement: developing a participatory governance model at the level of homeowners’ associations.
- Innovation and digitalization: using artificial intelligence for informed decisions and optimized consumption.
- Replicable model: creating a best-practice example for other neighborhoods and cities in Romania and Europe.
Duration: 42 months (October 1, 2025 – March 31, 2029);
Total funding: 4,967,360 euros;
Funding program: European Urban Initiative (EUI)/European Regional Development Fund (ERDF);
Implementation area: Bucharest, Sector 6 – Favorit neighborhood;
Project type: urban regeneration and energy efficiency;
Lead partner: Sector 6 City Hall;
Transfer partners: Urbasofia, “Politehnica” National University of Science and Technology in Bucharest, Technical University of Civil Engineering in Bucharest, ADIZMB, Indeco Soft, Solar Decathlon Bucharest Association (EFdeN), Între vecini, National Research and Development Institute for Machinery and Installations for Agriculture and the Food Industry, UrbanizeHub, Center for Urban Innovation and Design in Sector 6.
Main challenges addressed
- Outdated buildings: approximately 70% of the apartment blocks in Sector 6 have not been renovated for over 50 years.
- High energy consumption: use of inefficient systems and lack of renewable energy sources.
- Limited adoption of eco-friendly solutions: focus on traditional renovation, without the integration of sustainable materials.
- Fragmented governance: most apartment buildings are managed by homeowners’ associations with limited involvement in strategic decisions.
- Social inequalities: limited access to modern solutions and opportunities for community participation.