Sustainable Performance Building Design as a Driver of Post-Industrial Urban Transformation: Case Studies from Katowice, Poland

Post-industrial cities across Europe are undergoing profound transformation, where sustainable building design plays an increasingly strategic role in redefining urban identity and function. The transition toward sustainable urban environments requires innovative construction technologies and performance-driven standards. This study examines the role of sustainable building design in post-industrial urban regeneration, focusing on Katowice, Poland—a city undergoing significant socio-spatial and economic transformation. Through descriptive case studies of selected buildings, the research highlights how high-performance construction techniques, including advanced insulation, energy-efficient ventilation, and integrated daylighting, contribute to prestigious certifications while reducing energy demand for heating, cooling, and lighting. Beyond technical performance, the analyzed projects demonstrate how sustainable buildings can act as catalysts for post-industrial urban renewal, fostering social engagement, environmental responsibility, and architectural innovation. The novelty of this work lies in linking building-scale sustainability interventions with city-scale urban transformation dynamics, offering practical insights for similar post-industrial contexts in Central and Eastern Europe. This research provides the first comparative analysis of certified and non-certified sustainable buildings in the context of post-industrial regeneration in this region. The post-industrial revitalization of Katowice is largely driven by advancements in building energy systems, such as high-efficiency HVAC technologies and other sustainable solutions. The findings demonstrate that sustainable architecture can act as a tangible driver of social, economic, and spatial renewal, providing practical insights for post-industrial regeneration strategies across similar urban contexts.