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100 NEIGHBOURHOODS PLATFORM: Atelier with pioneering local governments launched

9. Nov 2023

On 12 October 2023, the trajectory started with ten pioneering local governments and their coalitions: Antwerp, Mechelen, Turnhout, Mortsel, Ghent, Leuven, Bruges, Beringen, Temse and Zoersel.

 

Each of them works within a neighbourhood approach on concrete breakthroughs and integrated realisations in terms of energy system, housing renovation, climate adaptation and/or mobility transition. Linking the step-by-step implementation of a heat network to the reconstruction of a major urban boulevard, the realisation of an energy community with a neighbouring school, climate-adaptive design of public space in combination with a renovation project in a vulnerable neighbourhood, setting up a public-private special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the renovation and heat transition of a neighbourhood, activating private front gardens and car parks in a climate strategy for a neighbourhood.

The 100 NEIGBOURHOODS PLATFORM brings the individual trajectories and experiments together in a learning and working environment. By exchanging experiences, by activating collective intelligence, and by adding expertise at the level of process approaches and specific breakthroughs, we support and strengthen these pioneering projects. At the same time, together with various Flemish policy domains, we draw lessons from these integrated projects. What is the potential of projects that realise different policy goals simultaneously from new collaborations between private entrepreneurs, public authorities and civil society? Can we combine, align and strengthen knowledge, instruments and policies to support the growing number of these integrated projects in the urban environment?

During the first workshop day, we were introduced to the status, breakthroughs and specific challenges of each case study. From these, we extracted those issues that most projects collide with, and on which we will continue to work in the coming months. At the same time, we went in depth for the first time: how do we develop a roadmap for such multi-stakeholder and multi-disciplinary projects? For that, we got to work with our PED toolkit. With the ten local coalitions, we descended into one of the cases ("Mechelse Vesten") and outlined a possible roadmap using the playing cards and the game board. All municipalities then formulated what they take away from this exercise to their specific process (approach). This is also how we will work in the coming months: sharing knowledge in breadth, and working together in depth. The first insights from this work-atelier will also be part of the 100 NEIGBOURHOODS FORUM that will take place on 5 February 2024. Save the date! 

 

The 100 NEIGBOURHOODS PLATFORM is initiated by Architecture Workroom Brussels in collaboration with Agentschap Binnenlands Bestuur, brings together expertise from 3E, Flux50, The New Drive, Plant and Houtgoed, ODE, VITO, etc., and is supported from Agentschap Binnenlands Bestuur (LEKP, Stedenbeleid), Vlaams Energie en Klimaat Agentschap (VEKA), Labo Ruimte and Departement Omgeving.

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WORKROOM

Since 2010, Architecture Workroom Brussels has focused on the future of our living environment. The organisation began as a safe haven to address the link between space and societal transitions, aimed at fostering a futureproof design practice, commissioning and building culture.

It has now become evident that the transformation of our streets, neighbourhoods, and landscapes is both a prerequisite and a lever for achieving societal goals in synergy. Yet we observe that these transformations remain difficult to imagine and implement. They span so many sectors and involve so many actors that responsibility falls on everyone, and therefore, ultimately, on no one.

That is why we make it our mission to create the space that connects them. And with this refined mission comes a new name: WORKROOM, House for transformation. WORKROOM is the shared space where the future of our living environment is not only imagined but also organised.

We are currently taking the lead on three mission-driven transformations:

  • SOCIETAL INCUBATORS - By 2030, stakeholders from the youth, culture, sports, care and education sectors will join forces to create renewed societal spaces that tackle loneliness and counteract the fragmentation and pressure on public infrastructure.
  • FOSSIL-FREE NEIGHBOURHOODS - By 2030, at least ten neighbourhoods will be underway with the transition to fossil-free energy in an inclusive and affordable way, with a view to completely phase-out fossil fuels by 2040.
  • SPONGE LANDSCAPES - By 2030, we will have achieved our water, agriculture and nature goals through a single, coherent approach at catchment area level, in which strong regional coalitions collectively enhance the landscape's sponge capacity.

To make these transformations a reality, WORKROOM works shoulder to shoulder with pioneering designers, local authorities, organisations and businesses, governments, knowledge institutions and impact investors.

Through co-creative design, we imagine shared pathways to the future in exhibitions, publications, innovation programmes and public programmes. These are the workrooms where we connect the actors capable of realising these transformations. From there, we design shared ownership and the organisational, funding and policy models that lead to real change.

The name is simpler. The stakes are higher. WORKROOM is the shared space where we tackle the social and spatial transformations that no one can achieve alone. In an era of polarisation, compartmentalisation and instability, that is perhaps the most radical thing we can do.