Overvecht (Utrecht, the Netherlands) is a post-war (1950s/60s) modernist neighbourhood with a diverse community, a large share of social housing (70%), and vast areas of public space. The neighbourhood is challenged by several constraints such as security and poverty issues, and pollution of public space. Revitalisation and restructuring efforts –physical renovation and social-development plans– have been made since the early 2000s. The energy transition is a new challenge.
Ondiep (Utrecht, the Netherlands), a traditional working-class neighbourhood (built in the 1910/20s), is characterized by its predominantly terraced housing. Since the early 2000s, the area has experienced transformations through revitalization and restructuring efforts focused on reducing public housing and promoting an increase in owner-occupied residencies. These policies have not only reshaped the neighbourhood’s demographic landscape but have also catalysed dynamics that share similarities with those observed in gentrification processes. This neighbourhood is next in line to start making an energy transition in Utrecht.
The CO2PED research by the Dutch partners focuses on collective-inclusive visioning. By focusing on this approach, the project aims to develop an alternative visioning process that supports neighborhoods to envision sustainable energy futures. The objective is to test and evaluate this process by actively engaging with community stakeholders, gathering their feedback, and refining the approach accordingly.
On the first day of the international CO2LAB in Ghent, we (the Utrecht-based team) organized an experimental workshop on visions for the heat transition. Our objective was to connect research and practice across contexts and experiment with elements to help develop our tool for collective, inclusive visioning processes. That last part represents our role in the consortium: how to create visioning processes for alternative futures of vulnerable neighbourhoods in ways that connect to their communities’ needs?
Our first encounters with our local partners—Utrecht Municipality—and the evolving landscape of the energy transition in Utrecht.
In March, our journey began with a meeting at Utrecht Municipality. The Utrecht University team presented the research project, outlining...
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