29 Apr 2026 — The new Smart Cities Marketplace booklet shows how integrated approaches can turn Positive Energy Districts into scalable pathways towards climate neutrality
Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) are being redefined as more than neighbourhoods with a positive annual energy balance. As presented in the Smart Cities Marketplace 2026 booklet, PEDs are holistic, resilient, and inclusive urban districts that integrate renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, flexibility, mobility, ICT, and governance within a unified framework. PEDs are a practical route for European cities trying to decarbonise neighbourhoods, modernise local energy systems, and improve quality of life through integrated urban transformation.
For POCITYF, the message is especially relevant, as the integrated systems perspective strongly aligns with the approach adopted by the project. The project is working to demonstrate how Positive and Clean Energy Districts (PCEDs) can be developed by integrating renewable technologies and co-designed solutions to build a network of sustainable and citizen-centred positive energy hubs. The peculiarity of this project is its focus on protected heritage areas and the emphasis on how it is possible to significantly expand local renewable-energy production without compromising historical aesthetics. Through its Lighthouse Cities, Alkmaar and Évora, POCITYF is demonstrating how PEDs can evolve beyond isolated technological interventions into interconnected urban ecosystems.
What makes this vision particularly significant is its focus on district-scale integration and urban transformation. In this respect, POCITYF contributed by developing and testing integrated Positive Energy Block and District strategies that connected buildings, public spaces, mobility systems, and local energy infrastructure into coherent and scalable urban solutions. The project also placed strong emphasis on co-creation processes, data-driven governance, and citizen participation, ensuring that technological innovation was accompanied by social acceptance and practical implementation pathways.
For municipalities, urban practitioners, and local stakeholders, the Positive Energy Districts Solution Booklet, therefore, serves not only as a technical reference but also as a strategic reminder that climate neutrality depends on coordinated local action and cross-sector collaboration. The experiences generated through POCITYF reinforce the role of Positive Energy Districts as one of the most effective frameworks for accelerating Europe’s transition toward climate-neutral and resilient cities.
Read the publication: Positive Energy Districts Solution Booklet by the Smart Cities Marketplace
Photo Credits: Antoine Schibler via Unsplash
