Green Transition: are Historical City Centres Residents Excluded? The Case of Venezia

The promotion of renewable energy in protected cities and heritage buildings is critical for sustainable development. As the world seeks cleaner energy alternatives, the significance of incorporating renewable sources, particularly photovoltaic panels, becomes evident. This transition not only contributes to decarbonization but also addresses the unique challenges faced by residents in historically rich city centres such as Venezia. While renewable energy sources have proven to be instrumental in fostering a sustainable and resilient energy ecosystem, their integration within protected urban areas poses a distinctive set of challenges. This study aims to examine the constraints and opportunities associated with the adoption of renewable energy sources, particularly photovol- taic panels, in protected environments as the city of Venezia. The analysis unfolds in several phases. Initially, the exploration of the technical and policy constraints that impede the seamless integration of renewables within historical contexts. Subsequently, viable pathways to ensure equitable access to renewable energy are identified including strategies to overcome the barriers that may hinder the adoption of clean energy solutions. An illustrative case study of a residential group in Venezia underscores both the possibilities and challenges associated with integrating photovoltaic panels in protected areas. Energy simulations are used to highlight the energy savings for the group of buildings when renewable energy is used. This work sheds light on the imperative role of renewable energy and the need for targeted efforts to not exclude people living in historical context from energy transition fighting energy poverty in particularly challenging areas.