How can energy transitions become more attentive to the realities of everyday life? Through stories, objects, photographs, and conversations, the co-creative exhibition Samen Stroomopwaarts brought residents' experiences of housing renewal and energy transition in the Watersportbaan neighbourhood to the forefront. Watch the aftermovie and discover how local stories can spark broader conversations about participation, care, and social justice.
The co-creative exhibition Samen Stroomopwaarts was developed with residents and local organisations in the Watersportbaan neighbourhood in Ghent. Through stories, objects, photographs, and collaborative activities, the exhibition explored experiences of housing renovation, energy use, maintenance, care, and everyday life in a social housing neighbourhood undergoing major transformation. Rather than presenting energy transition as a purely technical challenge, it highlighted the social relations, lived experiences, and local knowledge that shape how change is experienced on the ground.
This aftermovie looks back on the exhibition and the conversations it generated. While rooted in one particular neighbourhood, many of the questions raised extend far beyond the Watersportbaan. How can residents meaningfully participate in complex renovation and energy projects? Which forms of knowledge tend to be overlooked in planning and decision-making processes? And how can transitions become more democratic, inclusive, and attentive to the needs of everyday life?
Although the exhibition has ended, the stories it brought together continue to matter. The video aims to preserve the stories but also keep the conversation flowing. For those interested in learning more, a Dutch-language publication is available in the Resources section. It documents the co-creative process behind Samen Stroomopwaarts and presents each of the featured stories in greater detail, offering a lasting record of the insights, questions, and perspectives that emerged throughout the project.
