NZD reimagines how productive districts manage energy and water under the pressures of climate change. These districts—often overlooked in urban sustainability planning—are reframed as strategic sites for climate action. The project pilots integrated approaches to energy efficiency, renewable energy deployment, and water reuse, tailored to the unique needs of industrial and service districts. By introducing ISO-aligned energy management systems and co-designed interventions, NZD addresses fragmented resource governance and builds resilience to extreme climate events. The initiative aims to create a replicable framework for district-level sustainability and systemic innovation.

Objectives

• Enhance energy and water efficiency in productive districts
• Deploy integrated management systems for energy and water
• Develop ISO 50001-aligned energy guidelines at district level
• Strengthen stakeholder and citizen engagement
• Facilitate replication and scalability of successful practices

Cities involved: Prato, Rome, Bergamo, Parma

ECT = Enabling City Transformation