Within numerous energy strategies technical and economic solutions regarding the local energy turnaround dominate. Oftentimes it became apparent that the consumer behavior was completely neglected during the development of energy strategies. However, the effectiveness of consumer behavior towards the sustainable energy urban development is considerable and thus, requires further attention. Hence for the city of Senftenberg it is fundamental to participate the citizens and their interests. For the extension of the technical and economic repertoire - which is handled by the main contractor ThINK (Thuringian Institute for Sustainability and Climate Protection) - the Institute for New Industrial Culture INIK was entrusted with the public relation and the development of the political general energy principle for the urban energy strategy of Senftenberg. For both tasks relevant stakeholders and the citizens were engaged. The urban energy strategy for Senftenberg particularly serves for the integration of energy and climate protection considerations into the urban development strategy. For this, frequent coordination meetings with the urban development process of the city were convened.

Management: Heidi Pinkepank
Period: 2012/2013
Organization: ThINK GmbH, Jena in cooperation with INIK GmbH, Cottbus
Customer: The city of Senftenberg
Topics: energy, urban development, community involement/public participation