Munich

Munich is pioneering urban digitalization through SP1 – Digital Infrastructure & ICT Tools, developing an Urban Digital Twin to support data-driven decision-making, urban planning, and energy efficiency. This city-wide solution integrates real-time sensor data, geospatial information, and 3D visualization tools to optimize energy management and citizen engagement within Positive Clean Energy Districts (PCEDs).

Key Developments in Munich’s SP1 Solutions

• Urban Digital Twin for Energy & Planning – A shared digital infrastructure that enhances simulations, scenario modeling, and visualization for urban development.
• Advanced Data Integration – Incorporating IoT, geodata services, and smart sensors to improve city-wide energy monitoring and optimization.
• AI & User-Centric Enhancements – Developing AI-driven use cases and refining visualization tools to improve accessibility for both planners and citizens.

Next Steps:

• Enhancing 3D integration and real-time data processing for better urban simulations.
• Strengthening cooperation with the Technical University of Munich to expand Digital Twin capabilities.
• Exploring new AI applications to optimize energy efficiency and infrastructure planning.

Lessons Learned & Collaboration Opportunities

Munich’s Urban Digital Twin is designed for scalability and replicability, leveraging open-source technologies and standardized data frameworks to support cities facing similar urban challenges. By continuously refining its digital ecosystem, Munich is setting a benchmark for data-driven urban management and energy transition strategies.

Deployment of Energy Communities & Prosumers

Munich is expanding local solar energy consumption through the Photovoltaics Tenant Electricity Project, an initiative that enables residents to access affordable, clean electricity produced by on-site PV systems. The solution is led by Stadtwerke München and Isarwatt. Here we want to present Isarwatt and their work a little further:

It is a cooperative formed by 25 housing companies, which has deployed over 60 tenant electricity systems in Munich and surrounding areas.

With 750 kWp of installed PV capacity in the Harthof district, the project reduces energy costs by supplying solar power directly to residents while integrating hydroelectric energy from Naturstrom AG when needed. Next steps focus on expanding PV installations, optimizing energy distribution, and exploring financing models to enhance scalability.

Key Developments in Munich’s SP2 Solutions

• On-Site Solar Energy Generation – 750 kWp of estimated installed PV capacity at Harthof district supplying locally produced electricity to housing units.
• Tenant Electricity Model – Reducing network fees and energy costs by delivering PV-generated power directly to residents.
• Energy Supply Integration – Partnering with Naturstrom AG to complement solar production with hydroelectric power when needed.
• Scalable Governance Approach – A cooperative business model allowing housing companies to fund and expand the initiative.

Next Steps:

• Expanding PV Installations on additional rooftops.
• Optimizing energy distribution within tenant electricity communities.
• Exploring financing models for broader scalability.

Lessons Learned & Collaboration Opportunities

Access to funding remains a key challenge for scaling tenant electricity models, and successful implementation depends on close coordination with the grid operator (SWM Infrastructure). Strengthening ties with housing associations is also crucial to expand adoption of on-site renewables. As a cooperative-led initiative, Munich’s Tenant Electricity Project offers a replicable model for advancing urban energy communities, cutting emissions, and boosting local energy autonomy.

Munich is improving building energy performance and accelerating refurbishment timelines through an innovative prefabrication approach. This solution uses factory-built façade and roof elements with integrated PV systems and ventilation. The approach enables fast and precise building upgrades, significantly lowering heating demand and carbon emissions while improving comfort for residents.

Key Developments in Munich’s Refurbishment Solutions

• Prefabricated Renovation System – Installation of pre-made façade and roof elements combining insulation, triple-glazed windows, PV panels, and – if required - ventilation systems.
• On-Site Renewable Energy Production – Integrated photovoltaic systems reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to the building's renewable energy supply.
• Digital Building Modelling – Buildings are digitally scanned and converted into 3D models to manufacture customized prefabricated components.
• Targeted Use for Social Housing – Focused on upgrading aging residential buildings, particularly in the public housing sector, to improve efficiency and comfort.

Next Steps

• First project with prefabricated elements is under planning and construction works will start in 2026.
• Expand implementation across additional buildings in need of energy-efficient renovation

Lessons Learned

• Efficient On-Site Execution – Prefabrication is - under the right structural conditions- able to significantly reduce construction time and tenant disruption.
• Replicability – Suitable for a wide range of building types and sizes, supporting broad replication across urban areas.
• Economies of Scale – Larger-scale adoption leads to reduced production costs for prefabricated elements.
• Governance & Procurement – Specialized procurement processes are needed to engage qualified prefabrication contractors and align with funding criteria.

By integrating renewable energy production with high-precision, low-disruption renovation methods, Munich’s prefabricated refurbishment approach demonstrates how cities can accelerate climate action in the building sector—delivering energy savings, better living standards, and faster results at scale.

Munich is advancing sustainable mobility through its large-scale Mobility Point initiative—a citywide network offering bundled shared mobility services as convenient alternatives to private car use. Led by the City of Munich and co-developed with citizens and private providers, this approach supports the city’s goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2035 by reducing fossil fuel consumption and improving access to sustainable transport.

Key Developments in Munich’s SP4 Solutions

• Citywide Mobility Points – By 2026, 200 locations will offer integrated mobility services, including carsharing, bike and e-scooter sharing, cargo bikes, and repair stations. 102 points are already operational.
• Public-Private Collaboration – The city provides infrastructure such as parking, signage, and markings, while private companies supply and manage the vehicles.
• Strategic Mobility Planning – Mobility Points serve as a sustainable extension to public transport, improving accessibility and reducing CO₂ emissions, noise pollution, and car dependency.
• Digital Tools & Data Use – A dedicated website  support easy access. Location selection is based on heatmaps and space availability data.
• Participatory Governance – Citizens and local district committees could suggest Mobility Point locations via the participatory platform Unser München. In cases of doubt, they should provide good arguments for the choice of location by the city administration.
• Funding & Procurement – The programme is city-funded until 2026, with providers paying monthly fees to access Mobility Point parking. Post-2026, an impact assessment will guide future funding strategies.

Next Steps

• Expand the network to reach the target of 200 locations by 2026.
• Evaluate the environmental and behavioural impacts of the Mobility Points to inform long-term planning.

Lessons Learned

• Rapid Deployment & Scalability – The solution is low-cost and fast to implement, making it highly replicable in other cities.
• Flexibility & Inclusivity – Multiple transport modes in a single location offer convenience and promote mobility equity.
• Behavioural Impact – The model is proven to reduce private car ownership when implemented citywide.
• Multi-Stakeholder Innovation – Co-designing the system with citizens and providers enhances uptake and long-term impact but slows down the process and is often impossible to realise.

Already being replicated in other German cities such as Bremen, Nürnberg, Erlangen, Kempten, and Rostock, Munich’s Mobility Points demonstrate how bundling shared services in public space can accelerate the transition to climate-friendly urban transport systems.

Mobility points – situation in Harthof

Two Mobility points got installed in early spring 2025 at two locations in Harthof including free floating carsharing, and shared mobility vehicles like E-scooters, Bikes and E-Mopeds. Further equipment is foreseen for 2026.

Munich is putting citizens at the centre of its climate strategy through the Klimarat (Climate Council), a participatory body that guides the city’s decisions on climate protection. Established in 2021, this low-cost yet high-impact initiative empowers experts and civil society representatives to shape policies, foster transparency, and support the city’s climate neutrality goals for 2035.

Key Developments in Munich’s SP5 Solution

Participatory Climate Governance – The Klimarat Advisory Body

The Climate Council consists of 16 members from various stakeholder groups: city administration, city council, civil society, business, and academia. The Council provides structured input and feedback on key climate-related decisions, supporting a more transparent and informed policy-making process.

• Advisory Function: Acts as a consultative body for climate-related decisions by the city administration and council.
• Public Access: Meetings are open to the public; citizens can attend as guest listeners by registering via email.
• Structured Governance: Operates under a defined statute and rules of procedure, with ~8 meetings per year and structured agenda sharing.

Business Model & Resources – Leveraging Civic and Social Capital

The Council creates value by pooling expertise across sectors and enhancing the legitimacy of climate actions. Its main resource is voluntary participation, representing an innovative form of civic engagement that requires minimal financial investment while delivering high returns in terms of trust and alignment.

Communication & Transparency – Digital Channels for Engagement

Communication tools such as a dedicated website and direct email channels help maintain transparency and openness, encouraging citizen interest and participation in the climate discourse.

Next Steps

• Continue public sessions and advisory contributions to upcoming city climate initiatives.
• Deepen partnerships with scientific institutions, NGOs, and business networks.
• Explore wider replication within Germany via national study participation.

Lessons Learned

• Civic Collaboration Works: A cross-sector advisory body can meaningfully influence policy while reinforcing public trust.
• Low-Cost, High-Value: Effective citizen-centric governance doesn’t always require large budgets, just the right partners and procedures.
• Replicable Model: The Climate Council concept can be applied in other cities, provided there is political will and stakeholder openness.
• Agility vs. Consensus: Balancing inclusive dialogue with timely decision-making remains a key challenge, especially during political transitions.

Munich’s Climate Council offers a compelling model for inclusive climate governance, one that blends institutional structure, public participation, and cross-sector collaboration to accelerate the journey to climate neutrality.

The City of Munich is leading efforts to orchestrate and replicate Positive Clean Energy Districts. ASCEND is participating in the city-wide approaches to achieve climate-neutral districts. New approaches such as serial retrofitting with PV façades are explored to accelerate decarbonisation. These initiatives aim to establish scalable processes and replication concepts that can be applied in districts across Munich.

Roles

• LHM (City of Munich) – Urban orchestrator and leader of replication concept development.
• Local stakeholders – Partners and private owners engaged in piloting serial retrofitting, PV integration, and replication strategies.

Key Developments in Munich’s SP6 Solutions

Solution MUC 6.1 – Special-Purpose City Mission to Orchestrate and Build a Replication Concept.

• Approved concepts and good practices will form a blueprint for replication in other Munich districts.
• Recent updates show a shift in focus: rather than establishing a new organisational body, the emphasis is now on defining the process for orchestration and replication, including documentation of steps, templates, and stakeholder involvement. Also existing structures inside the municipality should be used to enable scaling up
• Milestones:
  • Q4 2025 – Initial concept (beta version) established
  • 2026 – Validation of concept for PCED orchestration
  • Q4 2026 – Updated concept available and replication starts in at least one district

Solution 6.2 – New Time and Cost-Saving Processes for Serial Retrofitting

• Aims to scale serial retrofitting from building to district level and integrate PV façades within the orchestration framework if possible.
• Supported by digital twin technology, district-scale financing models, and communication strategies.
• Expected to lower costs, reduce uncertainties, and improve quality during the retrofitting process.
• Milestones:

Update (2025): Munich’s housing company Münchner Wohnen will test this solution in the retrofitting of one building in the Harthof district. Another building will be newly built using a similar approach.  The Münchner Wohnen will begin a documentation of the serial refurbishment based on its experience in a pilot project and summarize it in a short guide. The solution was vacant for the last months, next steps and milestones have to be defined. 

In parallel we will also look for suitable buildings owned by the City of Munich or to find a private owner nearby the Harthof district to test serial retrofitting with integrated PV installations. 

Challenges and Risks

• Risk 1: Hesitation to adopt serial retrofitting
  • Private owners and project partners may prefer traditional renovation methods.
  • Mitigation: Inform private homeowners of funding opportunities; strengthen arguments in tendering; monitor national-level legal reforms.
• Risk 2: Lack of a suitable new partner for MUC 6.2
  • Finding the necessary partner to carry out the retroffiting is difficult.
  • Mitigation: Engage private owners for small-scale pilots; draw on MUENCHNER WOHNEN GMBHand partner experiences and integrate these lessons into Solution 6.1.

Next Steps

• Advance the beta version of the orchestration and replication process.
• A new lead partner for serial retrofitting was found.
• Pilot serial retrofitting with a private homeowner and integrate findings into orchestration.
• Document and refine processes to produce a replication blueprint for Munich districts.

Lessons Learned

• Orchestration should focus on process design and documentation rather than establishing new structures in the municipality.
• Replication concepts must be practical, adaptable, and well-documented for broader application.
• Strong private sector engagement is critical to testing new approaches such as serial retrofitting.
• Flexibility in partnership models is necessary when expertise shifts or partners withdraw.

Munich is shifting focus toward defining orchestration processes and building a replication blueprint for Positive Clean Energy Districts. While challenges remain in serial retrofitting due to partner changes and private sector hesitancy, the city is laying the groundwork for scalable, transferable models that will support climate-neutral district transformation across Munich.

Munich’s approach centers on active citizen participation through its approach involving building up an energy community and the creation of a District Energy Council in the Harthof neighborhood. The project allows tenants and building owners to benefit directly from local renewable energy production, reducing both costs and carbon emissions. The District Energy Council serves as a platform for residents to share ideas, collaborate on local sustainability projects and shape the district’s long-term development. By turning energy governance into a shared community effort, Munich is building trust and participation as core elements of its energy transition.