The Dutch design offices Generation.Energy and PosadMaxwan aim to stimulate integrated planning, i.e. planning that cuts across disciplines and silos in order to address a challenge within all its complexity. As part of MULTIPLY, the offices hosted expert workshops to share their experiences on integrated urban planning with all committed- and forerunner cities. During the Big European Exchange conference, Boris Hocks (the CEO of Generation.Energy) presented a number of projects that encourage sustainability through integrated planning and make cities more climate friendly and comfortable places to live in. One of these projects was the Integrated Neighborhood Strategy, which provides insight into the spatial claims of various transitions, and where efforts can be combined and implemented into strategic and implementable process.

Figure 1. POSAD

The transition of the Netherlands starts within the neighbourhood as benefits of an integrated solution are particularly noticeable at this level. Each field of transition directly affects the local scale because space is scarce and interests diverge. Due to these factors, decisions made regarding transition become particularly noticeable for residents. Through formulating insights with the Integrated Neighborhood Strategy they are best able to support those involved in identifying and weighing up interests and opportunities. When implemented at a system level, the approach enables better coordination between multiple neighborhoods thus making municipal and national ambitions more easily realized.

Figure 2. POSAD

The unification of various transitions and efforts thus results in minimal inconvenience to the residents. For example, if a street is being opened for a new sewerage system the decision can be made to use this work to install also a heat network even if before planned schedule. Moreover, this approach makes tailor-made solutions possible, since districts and tasks differ locally. By unravelling the complex interplay of space, time and the processes surrounding transitions, municipalities can use the Neighborhood Strategy to translate ambition into concrete action.

Read more about this project here: https://posadmaxwan.nl/projects#project-34/Integral-Neighborhood-Strategy