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,
Küsters.Grün.Stadt.Klima, Energieland2050 e.V., Gemeente Enschede, Gemeente
Hengelo, Saxion Hogeschool, Bureau Overbodig, Inversable 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, Ems-Achse GmbH, Buro de Haan and Stadt Münster. 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: First Pilots Launched and Further Development of Tools The first pilot
projects within the open part of FutureBEEing have started. In Schinkel
(Osnabrück) and Pesse (municipality of Hoogeveen), sustainable neighbourhood
transformations are underway, with active involvement of residents and local
stakeholders. A new subproject has also started in Aalten, focusing on the
cross-border area Dinxperlo–Suderwick. At the same time, partners continue to
develop the FutureBEEing Menu Card and the open-source FB Tooling. On 9
September, the first demo was presented to the consortium, receiving very
positive feedback. The tool supports municipalities and organisations in making
smart, integrated decisions for sustainable neighbourhoods. Project
communication is also expanding: the website has been renewed, the visual
identity updated, and the LinkedIn community is steadily growing – now
exceeding 520 followers. In the coming period, new pilot neighbourhoods will be
prepared in the Netherlands and Germany, as FutureBEEing evolves step by step
into a practical approach for sustainable area transformation.
