Samenvatting

Implementing the Cradle to Cradle principles in the design of an industrial park is a challenging and complex task and requires a great amount of dedication of all parties involved. Due to the fact that Cradle to Cradle is a relatively new concept, only few experiences have been made with the design of buildings or industrial sites. This study was therefore set out to elaborate the extent to which existing sustainability projects in the Netherlands can serve as inspiration for a Cradle to Cradle project in Bielefeld. In order to do so, this study identified common obstacles and success factors of existing projects and applied them to the project in Bielefeld. In a first step, literature covering Cradle to Cradle in the built environment, industrial ecology, eco-industrial parks (EIP) and the design of these parks has been reviewed and analysed. By comparing the approach of Cradle to Cradle and the principles for the design of an EIP, overlaps were identified. The degree to which both approaches overlapped, confirmed the assumption that findings regarding drivers, limitations and success factors of EIP’s can also be applied to Cradle to Cradle projects. Primary data were gathered through the conduction of in-depth interviews with experts on the field of sustainable industrial parks in the Netherlands. The interviewees were asked about their experience in the development of EIP’s and the obstacles and success factors they came across. The analysis revealed that most projects faced economic or technological uncertainties and time restrictions as most challenging obstacles. The interviewees provided a range of success factors, such as good communication, accurate economic predictions, an inventory of the present situation, as well as continuous evaluation. On the basis of these findings the framework conditions of the project in Bielefeld were analysed and potential strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities identified. These findings were used to formulate recommendations and strategies to implement them. It was recommended to promote the overall positive framework conditions and to use the development of the sustainability strategy of the provincial government to provide the required incentives and subsidies. Further, the city should elaborate a letter of intent with involved companies to emphasise its long-term ambitions. Additional recommendations, like the early involvement of stakeholders and the development of a communication plan, were derived from the findings of the interviews and their contribution to the success of the project in Bielefeld was discussed. In conclusion, this research has proven that the present conditions are beneficial for the realisation of a Cradle to Cradle industrial park and that the city should be able to successfully realise this project.