On 24 April 2025, the Cool Neighbourhoods consortium convened online for a pivotal event led by the Province of Antwerp to present and discuss the project's Needs Assessment Report. The development of the report brought together local stakeholders, municipal representatives, researchers, and implementation partners from across the nine pilot areas in North-West Europe.
The event aimed to ensure that adaptation actions within the Cool Neighbourhoods project are firmly grounded in local realities, and that the transition to climate-resilient, liveable neighbourhoods is equitable, community-informed, and responsive to site-specific vulnerabilities.
Why a Needs Assessment?
Climate adaptation is often most effective when rooted in place-based knowledge. The Needs Assessment Report was designed to:
- Identify environmental, social, and spatial vulnerabilities at the neighbourhood scale;
- Understand resident experiences, perceptions, and priorities;
- Highlight gaps in infrastructure, governance, or data;
- Strengthen alignment with municipal and regional climate strategies;
- Guide context-sensitive pilot interventions under Cool Neighbourhoods.
Methodological Framework
The assessment was based on a shared methodology developed by the Province of Antwerp, refined and applied by each pilot partner through a participatory process. The core elements included:
🔹 Stakeholder Workshops: Each pilot organised at least one co-creation workshop with local stakeholders (residents, community organisations, youth workers, housing agencies, etc.).
🔹 Surveys and Interviews: Targeted engagement tools collected qualitative and quantitative input from residents and frontline actors.
🔹 Local Data Analysis: Mapping exercises highlighted socio-demographic indicators, climate exposure (e.g. urban heat islands, flood risk), green space accessibility, and mobility gaps.
🔹 Municipal Policy Alignment: The assessment integrated ongoing urban and climate plans to ensure consistency with local strategies and ambitions.
This mixed-method approach allowed for both a granular understanding of neighbourhood-specific issues and a structured comparison across all pilots.
Cross-Cutting Insights
While each pilot is unique, the report identified several shared themes across sites:
✅ Climate risks disproportionately affect vulnerable residents;
✅ Nature-based solutions are often underutilised or fragmented;
✅ There is strong local demand for safer, greener, cohesive neighbourhoods;
✅ Community ownership and participation are critical to long-term
success.
The assessment underlines the importance of co-design, inclusive communication, and sustained partnerships between public authorities, social services, and civil society.
Next Steps
The Needs Assessment will directly inform the design and implementation of pilot interventions starting in 2025–2026. Moreover, it will serve as a blueprint for other cities and North-West Europe regions seeking to align climate action with local needs.
A follow-up Knowledge Sharing Workshop is planned for Autumn 2025, where partners will reflect on how the findings have shaped adaptation strategies in practice.
See click on the Adobe symbol for the full and final report.
Watch this space for updates!!