Preferences for configurations of Positive Energy Districts – Insights from a discrete choice experiment on Swiss households

By 2025, the EU aims to develop 100 Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) – communities that promote renewables for energy generation and an environment enables sustainable lifestyles on part of resident. Despite rising interest in topic, prospective residents' preferences PED configurations have yet be documented. This paper addresses this gap by implementing a discrete choice experiment (DCE) Swiss residents explore PEDs according three attributes: ownership expected citizen engagement, mobility options, availability shared spaces. We document vary depending respondents’ car home ownership, age, household size, values. Findings suggest variety policy-makers may want consider when developing these communities. One key recommendation is policymakers should pay attention existing patterns designing alternatives around PEDs. Helping citizens envision their system recognize alternative future also important building familiarity propensity change. Groupings segments Districts. • Choice shows varying Districts, type renewable community. Car strong determinant preferences. Respondents split over who own technology District choice. Policies ways meet different needs Policy-makers need help imagine system.