Prototype #2: Haven-Stad

Prototype #2: Haven-Stad

The prototype has two main goals:

1. Involve potential residents: Engage young adults (18-26 years old) in envisioning new ways of living and working with a future energy system in Haven-Stad. Although the exact energy system for 2050 isn’t clear yet, informed choices need to be made now. This tool aims to make future residents aware of how the energy system could be arranged, give them a collective voice for their preferences and ideas and encourage ownership of that future.

2. Engage the municipality: Help the municipality create a shared vision for the future by making informed choices based on feedback from potential future residents.

The prototype uses augmented reality to connect with the multimedia installation Model-City Haven-Stad in Arcam (architecture centre of Amsterdam) and can be used at other public locations with printed maps. Young adults are invited to join a youth council that will grow over time. Instead of being a stand-alone tool, the interactive model forms part of a series of moderated events.

Participants use the model to understand the complexities of a future energy system, exploring what it could look like and how it could be set up in Haven-Stad at three levels: home, street, and neighbourhood. They also receive extra information to help them make informed decisions and refine their ideas.

Transforming our energy system is complicated. Beyond numerous technological choices like heat networks, hydrogen, water pumps, geothermal energy, nuclear power and batteries, this transition involves new ways of thinking and collaboration between governments, residents, social organizations, businesses, energy suppliers and grid operators. At the neighbourhood level, it includes the possibility of collective ownership of the energy system. Are young adults willing to join energy cooperatives, or do they prefer the local government and market to handle things? Where should electricity and heat come from in their future neighbourhood, and how visible should these sources be?

The analysis of participants’ answers and feedback can kickstart a long-term exploration led by an urban curator to build a community around a local energy system. For the prototype to be of value, the municipality must position itself as the owner of the question to potential residents and take the results seriously.

Screen shots of the interactive tool for Haven-Stad which visualises different scenarios for the organisation of a future energy system and explains the implications of each scenario.

The Haven-Stad prototype was tested in the entrance hall of the Jakoba Mulderhuis, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. Photo: Linda Vlassenrood

The Haven-Stad prototype was also tested at Arcam. Photo: Linda Vlassenrood