Ghent is Belgium’s third largest city, with a rich history, a vibrant city life and a harbour. The goal for 2050 is to be fossil fuel-free and climate neutral. The city and other partners, such as Ghent University, are developing a holistic and inclusive transition strategy, and pilot projects are underway to launch and disseminate technical and social innovations. The districts of Muide-Meulestede and Mariakerke are experimenting with transition initiatives to become climate neutral and resilient neighbourhood. In Muide-Meulestede a neighbourhood heat network will be designed to heat houses in the district using RES and incorporating solar energy installations from nearby rooftops. The feasibility of this PCED project needs to be improved from a technical, spatial, economic, and social standpoint (renovation needs, district heating optimisation, organizing and include residents and key actors, district heating system and its tendering, etc.). The CN-Lab will develop and evaluate different approaches and organisation models.
CN-Lab
The Climate-Neutral Labs act as innovation hubs with dual purposes: engaging local stakeholders and citizens in co-designing PCEDs and learning from other cities to accelerate the process toward climate neutrality.
The objectives of Living Lab Muide-Meulestede Fossil Fuel-Free are:
– The development of an implementation plan for an inclusive PCED
– The development of a collaborative organizational model for the PCED, including business models and exploitation
strategies
– Improvement of institutional capacity and
engagement of stakeholders with a
participatory approach.
If you are a local stakeholder and want to help us make Ghent climate neutral, fill in the form in Dutch.
Stakeholders
The Living Lab Muide-Meulestede Fossil Fuel-Free has identified ten groups of local stakeholders to be included in the participatory process of the NEUTRALPATH project.
