Renovating more, better and more effectively: Lessons learned from the Danish ‘Renovation on the Agenda’ initiative

Abstract

In Denmark, as in many other countries, new construction has taken centre stage at the expense of building renovation. By measures of production value as well as in terms of public interest and status, new construction is in first place. Building renovation, in contrast, is of lesser importance and considered by many a dull necessity. Over the last two decades, the level of new construction activity has declined, and currently half the turnover in the building business relates to renovation — a trend that is expected to continue. Although building renovation is large in volume now, focus and interest has not changed accordingly. ‘Renovation on the Agenda’ is a cross-sector initiative whose ambition is to set the renovation agenda in Denmark in the building sector in the wider public and politically, in order to be able to renovate more, better and more efficiently.