On June 2, the big day finally arrived: Mona Neubaur, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, visited the LÜCK neighborhood in Cologne-Ehrenfeld. Together with our project partner, naturstrom AG, we were able to demonstrate how the heating transition works in practice—and why climate-friendly technology and socially responsible housing are not mutually exclusive.
A neighborhood that takes responsibility
LÜCK comprises 216 apartments, about 30 percent of which are publicly subsidized. The mix of rental and owner-occupied apartments is deliberately aimed at the middle class as well. At the same time, the neighborhood is setting new standards in energy supply: A large-scale heat pump, powered by wastewater heat, supplies the neighborhood without the use of fuel. A power-to-heat system also takes advantage of particularly low electricity prices to heat the thermal storage tank.
Voices from the neighborhood
Frank Piepers, Managing Director of the wvm Group: “Climate-friendly heat and affordable housing are not a contradiction. LÜCK shows how it can be done—responsibly, collaboratively, and concretely.”
Minister Mona Neubaur emphasized how important it is to implement the heating transition using modern technology, smart solutions, and in close collaboration with local residents.
We thank all participants and partners for their commitment and look forward to further projects that demonstrate: The heating transition is achievable—if we shape it together.