Prague Hosted an International Meeting of the ASCEND Project

In June, Prague hosted an international meeting of the ASCEND project. The event was jointly organised by Operátor ICT, the Czech Technical University's University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings (UCEEB), the Prague Development Company, and representatives of the Prague City Hall. The Czech capital welcomed representatives of European cities, project partners, and thematic working groups to review the project's progress and discuss the further development of the Positive Clean Energy Districts (PCEDs) concept—urban districts that integrate clean energy, climate resilience, affordable housing, innovation, and active citizen engagement.

The programme included project progress presentations, thematic workshops, and discussions on energy communities, mobility, monitoring, financing, and opportunities to transfer successful solutions between European cities.

The central question of the meeting was: "What are we actually building?" After three and a half years of implementation, the project's original plans are increasingly taking the form of tangible results. Building renovations are underway, photovoltaic systems are being installed, energy communities are emerging, and new urban districts are being planned. At the same time, the discussions highlighted that the PCED concept cannot be applied uniformly. Each city adapts it to its own local conditions and priorities—from renewable energy sources, affordable housing, and energy poverty to citizen engagement and the renovation of the existing building stock.

Prague is contributing to the project through the development of a new neighbourhood in Dolní Počernice, providing housing for key public service professionals such as teachers, healthcare workers, and emergency service personnel. The project also explores new financing models, including the use of Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) schemes.

Participants agreed that the successful development of positive energy districts requires not only technical solutions but also appropriate financing, effective governance, and strong cooperation between cities. Topics discussed included digital twins, photovoltaic analytics, coordinated district development, impact monitoring, and overcoming regulatory and investment barriers.

For UCEEB CTU and the other Prague-based partners, the meeting provided an opportunity to present the Czech Republic as an active contributor to the European debate on the future of sustainable cities. The ASCEND project demonstrates that the energy transition is not solely about technology—it is equally about quality of life, affordable housing, and cooperation between the public and private sectors.