Sustainable Schiebroek-Zuid

In this video, the Schiebroek-Zuid project is discussed from about 5:50.

Social housing conversion

As a first of its kind, the Sustainable Schiebroek-Zuid project provides a template approach to converting a commonly problematic post-war social housing typology into a beautiful, equitable, resilient, sustainable community. The neighborhood uses proven, standard technologies in innovative ways, combined with 'biological engines' to provide the district with water, electricity, heat, waste processing, and 70% of its food production.

Closed-loop metabolism

The plan combines socio-economic programs and proven technologies to create a closed-loop urban metabolism. All energy and water are locally provided, and most wastes are handled on-site. Local agriculture is the "biological engine" that drives many aspects of the plan, such as energy generation, nutrition, education, recreation, social programs, and local economic activities.

Integrated sustainability

Except drew on its integrated sustainable development approach, Symbiosis in Design (SiD), to develop an extensive set of measures, or 'ingredients,' which can be mixed and matched over time to achieve the end vision. These ingredients were designed in cooperation with stakeholders and residents. SiD facilitates and assures the integration of the many elements of sustainability in a cooperative framework.

Social and economic development

The ingredients include social programs for neighborhood target groups such as the elderly, children, teenagers, immigrants, and entrepreneurs. A marketplace and community center will be central hubs for the new neighborhood activities. Meanwhile, flexible ateliers provide spaces for startup companies to be used as anything from craft workshops to offices and kitchens to storefronts. A local currency has been suggested to encourage local trade and incentivize energy-saving or waste reduction efforts.

Resource self-sufficiency

The area can supply its required electricity and heat by utilizing biogas-fueled power plants, solar installations, and heat capture from rooftop greenhouses.

Edible landscaping throughout the neighborhood can use previously empty lawns while meaningfully connecting residents to their natural surroundings. A vital feature is that it renovates instead of demolishes most of the neighborhood’s existing buildings, reducing both the social disruption and environmental impact typically caused by neighborhood renewals that begin with demolition.

Contractor Vestia will start with implementing several ingredients from the plan. Except hopes, this project will serve as an example for the numerous social housing areas with similar typologies worldwide.

Further information

An in-depth article "Urban Evolution: the Case of Schiebroek-Zuid" was written about Schierboek-Zuid's transformative journey.

For the project, a vision book was developed and an ingredient book, both available for free and open source below (in Dutch). The ingredient book, counting almost 300 pages of details, calculations, examples, and solutions for all project categories.