“Getting to Zero” the University Buildings Stock: Boosting the Renovation Strategy and the Action Plan of the University of Florence

This contribution originates from an international research project aimed at enhancing the energy efficiency of university buildings in the Mediterranean area, by fostering more collaborative approaches between academics, decision makers, and stakeholders. Addressing the challenges related to the energy renovation of public buildings to meet the ambitious targets of the European Green Deal, while recognising the relative opportunities, the chapter describes the approach and methodology adopted to assess the energy efficiency of the building stock occupied by the University of Florence, a “mega” public Italian university characterised by the large presence of historical heritage buildings. The study examined the distinctive university building typology, viewed from both urban and architectural perspectives, the policy framework in force to promote energy efficiency, and drew insights from international experiences supporting sustainability endeavours. Collaborating with the university’s technical office, an analysis of the whole university building stock was conducted at urban and individual building levels. This consented to identify four main building types and the selection of representative case studies to estimate potential improvements resulting from renovation actions. By leveraging a series of tools developed within the research project, the results converged in the definition of a comprehensive renovation strategy. This strategy not only complemented but also enriched the existing official strategy, emphasising intervention priorities and identifying the most innovative renovation solutions. Notably, the integration of solar renewable sources has been explored. Finally, an Action Plan has been devised to properly drive innovation in university renovation processes, exploiting the influential role of university public buildings as best practice for renovating the broader spectrum of public building stocks.