Smart Village Network Café - Boekel Ecovillage (The Netherlands)
11th of December 2024
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As part of our ongoing efforts to engage more with our members we are organising a series of activities designed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing. With this in mind, we are excited to invite you to the first Smart Village Network Café event.
The Smart Cafe is an informal discussion where we will explore innovative ideas and sustainable solutions from our members. Our first session featured SVN member the Boekel Ecovillage, an inspiring example of sustainable living, where community-driven efforts are having a profound impact on the environment and future generations.
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Building the Future: Sustainable Solutions from Boekel Ecovillage
Ad Vlems, Climate Mayor of Boekel Municipality talks about how the residents of Boekel Ecovillage have transformed their community into an exemplary model of sustainability. Despite having only 36 houses, it is the ambition and vision of the inhabitants to make this ecovillage exceptional. They demonstrate how humans can have a positive impact on both their natural surroundings and future generations. This remarkable effort has earned them multiple accolades, including three Dutch sustainable building awards, a circular economy award, and a European award for SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
At Boekel Ecovillage, innovative solutions have been implemented to achieve the Global Goals, including storing over 800 tons of carbon in climate-positive homes designed to withstand extreme weather. Built using a cement-free alternative to concrete and foundations made from industrial waste, the homes are primarily constructed with biobased materials. Two years ago, residents presented their work to the European Commission on "Working with Nature." Among their groundbreaking innovations is a heating system that stores summer heat at 450°C, providing year-round warmth to the homes.