Flanders launches digital neighbourhood renovation tool
To further boost the pace of renovation, the Flemish government is investing in a digital neighbourhood renovation tool (Dutch only). With this tool, the renovation needs of entire neighbourhoods can be mapped digitally in one go. Specific advice can then be given per household, linked to guaranteed follow-up. The tool will run on a new digital platform that will be developed by EnergyVille / VITO on behalf of the Flemish Government.
Global warming on the one hand, and the energy crisis on the other, are creating the need to accelerate the renovation of our ageing housing heritage. This is partly why Flemish minister Bart Somers developed the Local Energy and Climate Pact, within which an important focus lies on collective renovations. Within this pact, the participating local authorities committed themselves to organising climate panels that bring citizens together around the energetic transformation of their neighbourhood.
The neighbourhood renovation tool will run on a digital platform being developed by EnergyVille / VITO, making maximum use of existing Digital Twin building blocks and standards. Through this platform, the tool uses data on the housing stock and public data sources. On top of that, it can simulate what economies of scale can be generated by a collective approach.
In addition, the Energy houses can also provide data. Initially, the tool will be used by local authorities and the Energy houses. They will analyse in different neighbourhoods how much a renovation trajectory costs, what it brings in, and inform citizens. A cooperation between local governments, the Energy houses and their partners will ensure the follow-up of these trajectories.
