Material-versus energy-related impacts Analysing environmental trade-offs in building retrofit scenarios in the Netherlands

The construction sector is responsible for a substantial share of adverse environmental impacts from materials usage, waste generation, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the construction sector is a major creator of economic and societal value. Retrofitting existing residential buildings can contribute to the achievement...

Transdisciplinary Innovation Projects: A Case Study of Systems Thinking; Working not only on Content, but also on Context and Process

We face enormous challenges, e.g., to transition to sustainable energy, to promote conviviality, to combat economic inequalities. These are wicked problems, which need to be addressed via transdisciplinary approaches. The problem is that we tend to underestimate the difficulties of transdisciplinary innovation. As if putting different people in...

Considerations on pandemic resilient healthcare facilities

The healthcare response to the current COVID-19 pandemic has required marshalling nearly all available capacity in the system. The peak months of the pandemic have seen an almost complete cessation of all but the most urgent regular care. Healthcare systems and facilities must be made more resilient to future outbreaks to avoid large and...

Evaluating socio-economic impact of age-friendly environments

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (2007), physical and social environments are key determinants of whether people can remain healthy, independent and autonomous. Health and well-being are not only determined by our personal characteristics but also by the envi-ronment where we were born and where we live throughout our life (WHO...