PILOT PRESENTATION: Municipality of Pécs, Hungary
The Pécs pilot shows how technological innovation, renewable energy solutions, and social engagement can work together to create a more sustainable and inclusive urban future.
Pécs Urban Development Nonprofit Plc. is a fully municipality-owned organization dedicated to supporting the continuous growth and renewal of the city of Pécs. As a key player in the city’s development, we manage projects financed through both European and local funding sources, helping drive sustainable urban progress and innovation.
Interview answered by:
Judit Nyuli-Vörös
International Project Manager
- Role of your organization in the project:
Our organization represents the City of Pécs, acting as the main coordinator for the local LEGOFIT pilot site in Hungary. We are responsible for overseeing the renovation and energy modernization of a municipally owned prefabricated apartment building, located in the Kertváros district. Our role includes managing data collection, coordinating the technical design and construction phases, ensuring compliance with local energy regulations, and facilitating collaboration between technical experts, district heating providers, and social service organizations. We also engage directly with residents to support energy-conscious behaviour and ensure that the project delivers both environmental and social benefits.
- Why is Legofit important to your organization/pilot site?
The LEGOFIT project represents a key opportunity for Pécs to demonstrate innovative and socially inclusive energy renovation practices. As one of Hungary’s largest social housing areas, Kertváros faces significant energy efficiency challenges due to outdated building stock and limited resources among residents. Through LEGOFIT, the city can pioneer replicable solutions for low-income, prefabricated housing blocks, combining renewable district heating, improved building envelopes, and smart energy management. The project directly supports Pécs’s long-term goals of carbon neutrality, social inclusion, and affordable housing and is a valuable addition to the city’s commitment to the Climate City Contract.
- Main objectives of your pilot site in LEGOFIT project
The Pécs pilot site focuses on the energy renovation of one wing of a large prefabricated apartment building of approximately 2,400 m². The project aims to improve the building’s thermal envelope by reducing heat losses through upgrades to the walls, roof, and part of the windows. It also introduces individual thermal controls, enabling residents to better regulate their heating and avoid unnecessary energy use. Renewable energy integration is a key element of the pilot, with a 20 kW rooftop solar PV system and a 20 kW battery installed to help offset electricity demand. In addition, the project emphasizes occupant engagement through energy awareness workshops and training on new heating systems and energy-saving habits. A comparative analysis will be carried out between the renovated and non-renovated wings of the building, providing valuable real-world data on the effectiveness of the measures implemented. Together, these objectives support energy positivity, energy efficiency, and energy flexibility in prefabricated residential buildings.
- Expectations from LEGOFIT:
Through LEGOFIT, the City of Pécs expects to gain access to new tools that will support its positive energy ambitions while significantly reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The pilot is designed to lower living costs and improve comfort for 40 socially disadvantaged households, while generating transferable knowledge and best practices that can be applied to other municipal housing renovations. The project also aims to strengthen community participation and social cohesion, and to validate a cost-effective model that integrates renewable energy into district heating systems and supports the sustainable refurbishment of existing building stock. Overall, the Pécs pilot shows how technological innovation, renewable energy solutions, and social engagement can work together to create a more sustainable and inclusive urban future.