The Netherlands’ stakeholder workshop: bringing a social perspective to the Building Renovation Passport
Last week in Rotterdam, we held our third stakeholder workshop, a significant milestone in the project, as only one more remains to complete the deployment of the ad-hoc engagement methodology. These sessions are a great opportunity to gather insights from key stakeholders in the renovation field. Their contributions will play a crucial role in finalising the development of the Building Renovation Passport that the project is currently working on.
The Rotterdam session brought together experts from diverse fields, including engineering and consultancy firms, housing services companies, residential consumer representatives, and research institutions. This well-rounded mix of professionals and recipients provided a multidisciplinary perspective, which is essential for discussions of this nature.
The workshop was structured into three key parts:
1. In the first part, we asked participants to work collaboratively to identify key technological, social, and economic changes expected over the next 10 years and their potential impact on the renovation sector.Some particularly insightful contributions emerged. Participants predicted shifts in the political landscape, foreseeing a more collaborative EU where countries share knowledge and tools to drive economic progress, benefiting the renovation sector in the process. Others highlighted the role of emerging technologies such as AI and robotics in assessing and defining renovation processes, as well as advancements in data collection methods. A particularly thought-provoking discussion revolved around the potential challenges of material scarcity and the worsening impacts of climate change. Participants reflected on how these factors could reshape renovation strategies, pushing the industry to adapt and innovate.
2. The second part of the workshop focused on identifying the current services and tools that could help achieve a positive renovation landscape by 2035. To structure the discussion, we asked participants to consider six key aspects of the renovation process:
Building diagnosis
Improving the building envelope
Heating and cooling systems
Integration of renewable energy storage
Water and ventilation efficiency
Exterior and sustainability improvements
Participants shared valuable insights, including technological innovations such as the potential of drones, AI applications, advanced scanning techniques, and new materials. However, what stood out most was the emphasis on social approaches, something that had not been as common in previous workshops.
Many participants reflected on the importance of low-tech solutions that leverage existing knowledge and tenant experiences. Instead of relying solely on new technological gadgets to address renovation challenges, they advocated for sharing best practices and community-driven knowledge. This approach, they argued, could achieve energy efficiency just as effectively, perhaps even more quickly and affordably, than high-tech solutions.
3. The final session focused on co-creating the ideal Building Renovation Passport based on stakeholders’ needs and expertise. This exercise is crucial, as its outcomes feed directly into the design and implementation of the tool.
Participants brought forward key considerations around inclusivity, usability, flexibility, and simplicity. A particularly strong consensus emerged around structuring the tool as a two-step process:
The Building Passport – A user-friendly interface that provides accessible information on a home’s energy consumption.
The Renovation Passport – A step-by-step guide outlining measures users can take to improve their home’s energy efficiency.
The One Click Reno Building Renovation Passport is progressing well, with a first version set to be published during the next year. In parallel, we will release a deliverable summarising the key outcomes from these stakeholder engagement workshops. This will ensure that these valuable insights can be replicated across other EU countries.
If you’d like to learn more about previous workshops, you can explore the Valencia and Dublin sessions on our website.
