Exploring the Residents' Attitude towards Greening Buildings and their Willingness to take action: An Empirical Survey Study in Deutz, Cologne

Abstract: In times that reveal the consequences of climate change, cities are using urban greening as a potential measure in their climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Greenery in the city regulates the climate and balances temperature extremes through evapotranspiration and air humidification, spending shade and increased air circulation. Many cities in Germany, such as the City of Cologne, have established funding programmes for private stakeholders to support the greening of buildings. Greened buildings contribute to a reduction of the urban heat island effect by decreasing temperatures through increased evapotranspiration, increased air circulation and air humidification and a higher reflective power (albedo). The greening of buildings also cools down the building itself forming a natural insulation layer, shading and the reflection of sun energy. However, in most cities the potential for houses that could be greened is barely utilized. This study explores variables that influence the residents’ attitudinal and behavioural acceptance towards greening their building in Cologne Deutz. Survey research was conducted based on a theoretical framework that explains how external variables form beliefs that lead to attitudinal acceptance (positive attitude) and eventually behavioural acceptance (actual behaviour). The survey was designed to examine attitudinal acceptance and behavioural intention to act, as behavioural acceptance is difficult to measure. The main variables found to influence the residents’ attitudinal acceptance and behavioural intention towards the greening of buildings were ecological aspects, such as an increase of nature in the urban environment, an improvement of the urban climate, air quality and street cooling, and climate change. Visual-aesthetic aspects also played a major role, while finances and funding possibilities had a special influence on the perceived ease of use of greening one’s building. Amongst the sample of this study attitudinal acceptance and behavioural intention were categorized as high. Reasons that could explain the low amount of greening measure implementation were a possible lack of knowledge (of funding possibilities), a low number of private property owners, and an imbalance in the distribution of tangible advantages and disadvantages amongst tenants and landlords.