From the late 1930s to today, the technological lure of hydroponics has inspired many geopolitical imaginations of planetary transformation. Hydroponics, or soilless farming, refers to a bundle of technologies to raise crops outside of arable land, using nutrient solutions in water, sand or gravel media. …

How can applied research in Facility Management accelerate the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals? This interactive workshop invites academics and professionals in FM to reimagine their role as change agents for sustainable transformation. We will explore how research can drive SDG …

The Dutch national CO2 emission targets for heritage buildings are a 60% reduction by 2040. However, holistic insights on the impact of this reduction on heritage values, energy performance, and CO2 emissions are understudied. In this article, the impact in four heritage buildings by comparing the situation …

Background This research study applied the 'Integrated Energy Landscape Approach and the Ecosystem Services Framework' to formulate a pre-proposal for a Positive Energy District in the Hoogkerk Zuid neighborhood in Groningen, the Netherlands. Results The proposed energy saving and energy generation interventions …

Bio-based and circular building materials and techniques can play an important role in the transition toward a more sustainable construction sector. This study focuses on the Northern Netherlands and explores those competencies (in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitude) required by construction workers …

Background Positive Energy Districts, which incorporate energy planning at the district level, are a pioneering concept for sustainable, smart and climate-neutral urban development. This concept supports creating communities that generate more annual energy than they consume. To this end, integrative …

The transition to a sustainable and climate-neutral society requires professionals with integrated technical, economic, legal, ethical and societal competencies. The University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (HU) introduces the full-time bachelor’s program Energy and Sustainable Development (“Energie en …

Living Labs are vibrant, open innovation ecosystems where research and development take place in real-world settings instead of isolated laboratory environments. Through a structured co-creation process, they position citizens and end-users at the heart of innovation, ensuring that emerging solutions …

"The transition to a sustainable energy system demands not only technical innovation but also social engagement and collaborative governance. This paper presents a case study from Zoetermeer, a mid-sized city in the Netherlands, where the number of citizen-led energy initiatives grew from four to fourteen …

Energy poverty and liveability of neighbourhoods are major socio-economic challenges. They pose a complex task for policy officers working in urban neigbourhoods. There is a need for better understanding of the profession of policy makers and their relation to homeowners. In a development and innovation …