During April 2025, the Dauwendaele neighbourhood in Middelburg hosted a well-attended community meeting that placed climate resilience and liveability at the forefront of local discussion. The event, organised as part of the Cool Neighbourhoods project, brought together over 100 residents eager to learn more about the upcoming plans to improve their environment and adapt to the effects of climate change.
Edelstenenbuurt Pilot Project in the Spotlight
Project managers Tiny Maenhout and Sjaak de Visser presented the design and goals of the Edelstenenbuurt pilot, one of the key initiatives within Cool Neighbourhoods. Their presentation focused on the measures to be introduced to reduce heat stress and enhance the liveability of the neighbourhood. From increasing green spaces to introducing heat-mitigating infrastructure, the proposed changes are designed to improve the well-being of residents while contributing to broader climate adaptation goals.
Local Voices, Real Impact
A standout moment of the evening was the personal pitch delivered by Mr Bezuayehu, a resident of Edelstenenbuurt. Speaking alongside project lead Tiny Maenhout, Mr Bezuayehu shared his positive experience with the co-creation process, expressing his belief in the project’s potential to bring about real and lasting improvements to the neighbourhood. His enthusiasm and vision resonated with the audience, exemplifying the value of including community voices in climate resilience planning.
Collaboration Through Co-Creation
The Dauwendaele event served as a clear example of how Cool Neighbourhoods is fostering collaboration between local authorities and residents. The co-creation process ensures that solutions are not only technically sound but also reflect the needs and ideas of the people who live there.
A Strong Turnout Reflects Strong Engagement
Photos from the event show a packed venue filled with engaged residents, reinforcing the strong local interest in shaping a greener, more climate-proof community. The energy in the room highlighted the importance of transparent communication and collective ownership in urban transformation.
This initiative is made possible with the support of the EU Interreg North-West Europe programme, which funds the Cool Neighbourhoods project.
Stay tuned for more updates as Edelstenenbuurt takes bold steps toward becoming a cooler, greener place to live.