FutureBEEing
– Sustainable Transformation of Existing Neighbourhoods in the Netherlands and
Germany
Since January 1, 2024, the FutureBEEing project has been underway. The Province of Overijssel, in collaboration with Dutch and German organizations, is working to accelerate the sustainable transformation of residential neighbourhoods in the Interreg A NL/DE area. The sustainable transformation of residential neighbourhoods is approached comprehensively and includes various aspects such as climate adaptation, transitioning to renewable energy and heat, improving the quality of life, addressing demographic changes, and challenges in the housing sector. Over the next four years, €6.9 million is allocated for the FutureBEEing project. The project partners include the Province of Overijssel, Buro De Haan, Küsters.Grün.Stadt.Klima, Energieland2050 e.V., Stadt Münster, Gemeente Enschede, Gemeente Hengelo, Saxion Hogeschool, and Fachhochschule Münster. Associated partners of the project are Hochschule Emden/Leer, Alfa College, LWC (Living Wave Company) Associates, Gemeente Noordoostpolder, Handwerkskammer Münster, Verband der Wohnungs- und Immobilienwirtschaft Rheinland e.V. (VdW), Klima-Frieden, and Ems-Achse GmbH. All partners contribute expertise to transform existing residential neighbourhoods in the Netherlands and Germany sustainably.
In the closed part of the project, FutureBEEing focuses on the development and implementation of sustainable solutions for urban development in neighbourhoods, considering environmental, social, and economic factors. It addresses various stakeholder groups, including municipalities, authorities, neighbourhood developers, network operators, homeowners, residents, and organizations involved in neighbourhood transformations and scaling. Two instruments for sustainability are developed and utilized for the transformation of existing neighbourhoods: The FB Menu outlines the measures required to make the neighbourhoods climate-resistant. It establishes clear norms and requirements as the basis for the sustainable development of residential neighbourhoods. The FB Tool is a 2D/3D software determining the best scenarios for a neighbourhood master plan for sustainability. The FB Tool is developed in collaboration with stakeholder groups. In the open part of the project, five neighbourhoods in the Netherlands and five in Germany undergo transformation, with 40 sub-projects implemented in existing residential neighbourhoods involving at least 80 organizations.
FutureBEEing Update: Collecting Information, Stakeholder Engagement, and Test Neighborhoods In the coming period, the partners of FutureBEEing will continue collecting crucial information about stakeholders and neighborhoods, focusing on data infrastructure and data management. We are also working on a stakeholder engagement plan with active involvement of partners and participants. Additionally, we are refining our action plans for the sustainable transformation of residential neighborhoods and engaging stakeholders from the selected areas. Furthermore, we are developing and testing the application of the FutureBEEing Menu and Tooling in four test neighborhoods (Enschede, Hengelo, Ochtrup, Münster) and preparing for implementation in the ten pilot neighborhoods. FutureBEEing – Sustainable Transformation of Existing Neighbourhoods in the Netherlands and Germany.