Possibilities for upgrading the existing building stock in Belgrade

PurposeThis paper wants to explore the potential for energy‐efficient upgrading of existing residential buildings in Belgrade, targeting the portions of the existing building stock which seem to be the most convenient for such intervention.Design/methodology/approachUsing the methodology proposed by the scientific research project “Energy Optimization of Buildings in Context of Sustainable Architecture” (Faculty of Architecture – University of Belgrade and Serbian Ministry of Science and Technology) Belgrade's building stock is presented through six major groups. The typology shows different potentials of these building types for quality rehabilitation.FindingsThis paper shows that it can be estimated that over 45 percent of Belgrade's building stock could be efficiently improved in present market conditions. The potential overall benefit of such shift in the environmental quality of existing buildings is huge enough to initiate active involvement and support of various parties – authorities, legislation, building industry, professional organizations, NGOs, etc.Practical implicationsThe paper points out which building types are the most suitable for such upgrades and improvements. It facilitates the choice for potential pilot‐projects, experimental interventions or sampling for theoretical and numerical research that could explore technical solutions and estimate possible benefits for a particular building or building type.Originality/valueThe paper shows rather informative overview of Belgrade's building stock, structured in order to facilitate further theoretical and practical work in this area and initiate more focused and precise quantification of potential benefits.