What if one simple flyer could make your city cooler, greener, and more liveable?
In Middelburg, that's exactly what is happening. Through structured engagement between the municipality and local residents, 24 practical summer tips have been developed to help households take action against rising temperatures — and boost urban resilience from the ground up.
Now, the English version of Middelburg’s "24 Summer Tips for a Cool House and Green Neighbourhood" is available — and ready to inspire towns and cities right across the Interreg North-West Europe (NWE) region!
A simple idea, a powerful impact
By focusing on easy, everyday actions — like planting trees and shrubs, insulating homes, ventilating smarter, installing water-saving showerheads, and replacing paving with plants — residents are empowered to make a real difference.
These are not expensive interventions. They are low-cost, high-impact actions that anyone can take. And the beauty of it? They are incredibly easy to replicate.
From Middelburg to Everywhere: Why This Works
1. It’s Practical.
Clear, specific actions that every household can understand and implement.
2. It’s Participatory.
The tips were developed through a structured dialogue with residents — making
it their project, not just a municipal initiative.
3. It’s Replicable.
No major technical solutions needed. No complex funding applications. Just good
ideas, shared widely.
4. It Delivers Real Benefits.
More greenery, cooler homes, lower energy bills, better biodiversity, stronger
communities.
👉 Imagine if every town and city across Interreg NWE adopted this approach. The collective cooling effect could transform urban life.
What Middelburg Teaches Us: Cool, Green, Together
- Create shade around homes with trees and plants.
- Keep cool naturally by ventilating wisely and avoiding air conditioners.
- Green every space — from gardens and roofs to balconies and façades.
- Save water and reuse rainwater for gardens and cleaning.
- Share responsibility through neighbourhood action and shared gardens.
These ideas might sound simple, but when an entire community embraces them, the results are powerful. Middelburg is showing that cool, green living isn't a dream — it's a choice we can all make.
Your Turn: Bring These Ideas to Your Town
The full English flyer is now available to download here
✅ Municipalities can easily adapt it to their local context.
✅ Residents can see clear actions they can take immediately.
✅ Together, we can make our towns and cities across North-West Europe
cooler, greener, healthier — and more liveable.
Let’s Cool Our Neighbourhoods Together!
Small changes at the household level = Big impacts at the city level.
Structured engagement = Stronger communities.
Greener neighbourhoods = Cooler cities.
Let's replicate this good practice across the Interreg NWE region and show that when it comes to climate resilience, communities are the real game-changers.