The objective of this article is to find a way to pursue optimum spatial policy on the local level to meet the assumptions of the energy policy of the European Union. Factors influencing changes in the energy efficiency of selected buildings were modeled using logic based on radial neural networks. An attempt was made to economically justify the future of energy efficient civil engineering on the basis of research carried out in the town of Zielona Gora, taking into account the possibility of obtaining financial means from the European Union in the new perspective for the years 2014-2020. The main institutions responsible for monitoring the processes of restricting demand for energy are town and administrative commune authorities. Because of the necessity to coordinate processes of achieving the values specified by the European Commission the energy balance of buildings, residential areas and towns should be improved. Public intervention is necessary in the form of financial aid, tax exemptions, promotions etc. stimulating rational use of energy in households. One of the possible ways of developing energy efficient civil engineering is varied town policy and programs supporting energy efficient buildings. A second is the use of renewable energy sources as a factor improving the energy safety of built areas and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. A third is the optimization of expenditure on these goals in towns. Although our current research and estimations based on it are limited to a medium-sized town in the west of Poland, the observations included in this article may be important for other regions that are interested in reducing energy consumption in buildings, residential areas and towns. Taking into account the geographical context, it is especially important for these regions of Europe that are obtaining financial aid from the European Union in the perspective for th(e) years 2014-2020. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.