A Co-Creation Approach Towards Gas-Free Homes in the Netherlands

Abstract

Dutch national policy states a goal to rid 7 million homes of natural gas by 2050. Municipalities, along with inhabitants, will determine what is the best alternative technology for gas heating.

There are many challenges to this as municipalities must adapt to a relatively new role and subject matter, coordinate with the inhabitants within their jurisdiction, and ensure that it is economically feasible. This transition towards a sustainable future requires reimagining a whole industry, as well as, the relationship between municipality and inhabitants. This is something that cannot be addressed as an individual, but with the collaboration of numerous stakeholders. Design co-creation is emerging as necessary in complex issues. Using co-creation means considering how to connect different stakeholders, and facilitate collaboration and expression of deeper emotional needs of the participants of co-creation. This project explores how co-creation can support municipalities in achieving their goal of transitioning homes away from gas.

Frame Innovation provides the main structure for this project. First, there is an analysis of the problem situation. Various methods are used for this, for example, interviews were held with important stakeholders in the energy transition and experts in co-creation — civil servants at the municipality level, homeowners, and designers. Second, a frame is presented that explores solutions through a metaphor. The frame was crafted by exploring stakeholders and their underlying values, needs, and motivation. Finally, the frame is used towards designing new solutions. The third section of the project presents the final design concept.

The proposed design concept presented here is a mentorship program called ‘Plan-It Together’. This program is designed for municipalities to support homeowners in adapting their homes so that they are well insulated and are heated using sustainable options. The program connects homeowners who have not made their homes gas-free ready yet, but would like to (mentees), with those in the community who already have (mentor). The program consists of a series of workshops with a complementary toolkit. An implementation roadmap that outlines a plan for a pilot and ways to evaluate it was created. The design concept and roadmap were tested with civil servants and homeowners.