Cities4PEDs Atlas_November 2021.pdf

4. Business model
c. Socio-cultural program
A socio-cultural program, which via culture
focusses on the social aspect of the (energy)
transition, is a crucial element in engaging
people in the transformations that in
the end will land in their environments
and homes. This can be done via a broad
range of activities, like theatre, workshops,
exhibitions, etc. In BoTu there is an important
socio-cultural program on energy, where
via workshops on how to cook without gas,
pedagogical programs with schools, etc.,
they work on the behaviour of people related
to energy issues.
d. Map potentials
Imagining what is possible, and making this
explicit to people, helps them take part in
this transition. Furthermore, monitoring
where the development of the district
stands, can work as a motivation. In Limerick
they work with a digital twin in order to
display possibilities and keep track of the
transformations, in Stockholm, there is a
focus on monitoring the set principles.
e. Ownership
Existing districts show a variety of ways to deal
with these issues. Supporting the development
via subsidies is one way. It is clear that the
subsidies are almost always part of it. Can we,
for example, activate existing subsidies more
coherently, or in a package, instead of the way
in which subsidies are now segregated for roofs,
walls, etc.? The city of Limerick takes an active
role within a building block and invests itself
in the renovation of its public property to be a
catalyst for the block renovation.
5. Planning processes and regulations
Instruments which are applied in newly built
districts, like land sale contracts and civil
agreements, do not work in existing districts
in which a plain land ownership structure is
missing. The transferring of targets cannot
happen at the moment of a sales agreement
but must be applied in a different way. How
can existing city instruments and planning
regulations be already in place in certain
neighbourhoods be harnessed, like the
Sustainable Neighbourhood Contract in Brussels or
the decarbonization zone on provincial level in
Limerick.
Ownership is not only about informing
and creating with people, and not solely
about financial co-ownership, but more
importantly about citizens co-owning the
transition. In Eeklo for instance, this happens
via public procurement where (financial)
co-ownership by local citizens is a criterium.
The local cooperative, set up by the people,
is a form of organising co-ownership of the
energy transition by the people. They are not
a subject, but own part of transition.
Working document
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