Green roofs, nationwide solar panel standards, and streamlined renovation rules should form the cornerstone of Luxembourg's updated building regulations, the Ecological Movement argued during a Wednesday policy briefing.
The Ecological Movement welcomed the standardisation of Luxembourg's municipal building codes during a Wednesday press conference but urged significant revisions to address climate and biodiversity challenges.
President Blanche Weber criticised current regulations for prioritising aesthetic elements like window sill heights over environmental protections, particularly as the world faces "dramatic changes" as a result of climate change.
The organisation proposed establishing national standards for solar panels and heat pumps to replace the current patchwork of municipal-level regulations. They also advocated for promoting green roofs on flat or slightly sloped buildings, noting these would serve dual purposes of supporting biodiversity through pollinator habitats and managing increased storm water from heavy rainfall events.
A key recommendation focused on renovation policies. The group called for eliminating requirements that force homeowners to upgrade entire properties to new-build standards when undertaking partial renovations. This change, they argued, would accelerate the reuse of Luxembourg's existing vacant housing stock – a pressing socio-economic need that could be addressed faster than through new construction.
The Ecological Movement further stressed that updated regulations should accommodate emerging housing models like cooperatives and intergenerational living arrangements.
