How can the heating transition succeed in Wilhelminian-style districts such as Darmstadt's Johannes and Martinsviertel? Sustainability researchers at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da) and stakeholders from the city and urban economy are currently in dialog with local people about this. The Stifterverband sees potential in the project and has included it in the University Transformation Lab funding program: it is supporting h_da and HEAG with strategic workshops and coaching for one year to drive forward the local heating transition.