Testing Simulation Model for a Human Powered Community at Huis van de Toekomst
News & Updates
In the past few months, Dirk Bertels and Arthur Van Schravendijk have worked on a Transition-Scape prototype for Huis van de Toekomst in Rotterdam. The goal of Huis van de Toekomst is to develop a whole building block into an energy community that is entirely free of fossil fuels, creating a living example of what a human-powered community could look like.
The prototype consists of a simulation model that responds to the question: how can Huis van de Toekomst better facilitate community building and make its impact visible and measurable? The model is an attempt to represent citizen initiatives in a simple yet layered manner. It illustrates the connection between initiatives, the vulnerability, but also the resilience of communities. The simulation model is not an end in itself, but a means to facilitate a dialogue with and about the community.
We tested a first version of the model during the After Summer School of the Nieuwe Instituut at Huis van de Toekomst on October 3. We have now tested an improved version during a Community of Practice Meeting on December 12. And last Monday, we organized a session with people from organizations like the housing corporation Havensteder and the City of Rotterdam who are already taking part in Huis van de Toekomst. We asked the participants to give feedback on the prototype as a tool to be used by the existing community, but also as a tool to explain community relations to external parties. And we asked for feedback on the design and functionality of the prototype. We are looking back at two very inspiring sessions.
With thanks to: Melle Smets (Huis van de Toekomst), Klaas Burger (Huis van de Toekomst), Ruby Schaap (Bright), Giulia D’Addario (Bright), Ekim Tan, PhD (Play the City), Francien van Westrenen (Nieuwe Instituut), Hanna Kreuger (Arcadis), Emilija Angelovska (Clever Franke), Iona Keeley (Clever Franke), Erik J. Vries, de (gemeente Amsterdam), Raul Forsoni (UNStudio), Angella Mackey (Master Digital Design), Luis Rodil-Fernández (Master Digital Design), Farinelly Eustatia (Havensteder), Jesse van de Luitgaren (gemeente Rotterdam), Lennart Arpots (Oud House), Cristina Ampatzidou (Civic Interaction Design), Linda Vlassenrood (Civic Interaction Design).