Upcoming events
Objective
The objective of the Learning Community is to contribute to the Green Deal: Sustainable Care.
with the goal of reducing raw material consumption by 50% by 2030 and achieving maximum circularity by 2050.
Because there are many different ways to work toward this goal, it was decided to use the R-Ladder with circular strategies as a framework for addressing the various issues.
Platform
On the website www.evengroenevrienden.nl, (potential) stakeholders can find general information about all available Learning Communities. Questions can also be submitted via the website.
A platform is currently being developed where stakeholders, students, and educational institutions can connect with each other and upload deliverables. EdX's online education platform will form the basis for this. Once this platform is complete, a link will be provided on this page.
Projectorganisation & Communication
The project organization for this LC consists of Linette Bossen and Bart van Straten. Linette Bossen is the project leader for the projects “Streetwise: learning with society” and “ET-TLC: Energy Transition – Talent in Learning Communities.” The Learning Communities within Even Groene Vrienden originated from these projects. Bart van Straten is an expert in the field of sustainability and circular healthcare. He is affiliated with the company Van Straten Medical and various educational and government-related institutions.
Their role is to facilitate the various co-creation sessions and partner sessions and the associated communication, as well as to keep the platform and learning pathway up to date.
Current Projectcases
Below is an overview of the project cases currently available within the Sustainable Environments Curaçao Learning Community:
Learning Community
Learning communities are the driving force behind innovative developments. Professionals from businesses, governments, and NGOs work together in learning communities with researchers, teachers, and students from various knowledge institutions. In learning communities, small groups learn, work, and innovate based on a shared interest. The goal is to develop and share knowledge and find solutions to complex social problems.
Past projects
Below are some parts from the project presentations from November 2024:
What We Provide
01
Project Design
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
02
Construction Management
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
03
Site Evaluation
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
04
Construction
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
05
Cost Modeling
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
Topic
Water Management Policy
The new water policy plan advocates for a reform of the governance system for water management in Curaçao. Given the island's small scale and limited resources, it is essential to design a governance structure that is both efficient and flexible, tailored to local conditions. The challenge lies in establishing a system that ensures effective water management while considering resource constraints, the need for cross-sector coordination, and the importance of community engagement in sustainable water practices. How can Curaçao develop a governance framework that balances these factors while promoting long-term water security?
Topic
Green Infrastructure as a Water Management Measure
Green roofs and green facades are considered potential climate adaptation measures to reduce water runoff during heavy rainfall and mitigate urban heat. However, the effectiveness of these solutions in Curaçao, particularly in urban Willemstad, has yet to be assessed. How can green roofs and facades be successfully implemented in Willemstad, considering the city's unique climate and heritage status, so that these adaptations contribute to sustainability without compromising the area's historical and cultural integrity?
Topic
Water label
The new water policy plan proposes the introduction of a water label, similar to the energy label, to help consumers make informed choices when purchasing water-related appliances and homes. The challenge lies in developing and implementing this label in Curaçao, considering local conditions, consumer behavior, and the availability of water-saving technologies. How can a water label be effectively designed and integrated into the market to promote sustainable water use while remaining accessible, understandable, and relevant to consumers in Curaçao?
Topic
Reducing the Impact of Heat in the City Center
Building on the efforts of the MDP team at Wilhelmina Plein, the challenge is to explore opportunities to transform other squares and vacant lots in the city center into livable and climate-resilient spaces. This requires redesigning these areas to promote urban sustainability, improve public spaces, and better address the impacts of climate change. How can these transformations create multifunctional spaces that benefit both the community and the environment within the urban context?
Topic
Coastal Development and Sea Level Rise
Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, faces an increasing threat from rising sea levels, with high tides already causing the Waaigat to flood nearby streets. The risks to the area’s cultural and historical heritage are significant, and immediate action is needed to protect Willemstad from further damage. What strategies can be implemented to safeguard Willemstad from the effects of rising sea levels, ensuring both the preservation of cultural heritage and the resilience of infrastructure in the face of climate change?
Topic
Wastewater management policies through willingness to pay
Curaçao faces significant challenges in water management due to scarce freshwater resources and the high costs of wastewater treatment. Inadequate wastewater management can lead to environmental pollution, public health risks, and long-term damage to marine ecosystems. However, improving wastewater treatment requires substantial investment, and securing sustainable funding remains a challenge. A key issue is the uncertainty surrounding public willingness to contribute financially to wastewater management. Without sufficient funding mechanisms, the island risks continued inefficiencies in water treatment and distribution. Understanding the economic and social barriers to wastewater financing is crucial for developing sustainable solutions that balance affordability and environmental responsibility
Topic
Adaptation strategies for Curaçao
Curaçao faces increasing climate risks, including rising temperatures, water shortages, and coastal erosion. While a climate adaptation strategy provides a framework for addressing these challenges, its success depends on concrete projects that translate policy into action.
Currently, there is a gap between strategy and implementation, with limited initiatives to enhance climate resilience in key areas such as water management, infrastructure, coastal protection, and sustainable urban development. Identifying and developing feasible, well-structured projects is essential to ensure effective execution and long-term climate adaptation. This assignment focuses on designing practical and impactful projects that align with Curaçao’s climate adaptation strategy, considering feasibility, funding opportunities, and long-term sustainability.
Topic
Climate risk analysis for Curaçao
Curaçao is increasingly exposed to climate risks such as rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, sea level rise, and extreme weather events. Understanding the magnitude and impact of these risks is essential for developing effective adaptation strategies. However, accurate climate risk assessment requires scientific data from global and regional climate models to predict future changes and vulnerabilities.
Currently, there is a lack of localized climate projections tailored to Curaçao’s specific conditions. Without detailed risk analysis, decision-makers face challenges in prioritizing adaptation measures for critical sectors such as water resources, infrastructure, coastal protection, and public health. This assignment focuses on analyzing global and regional climate models to assess Curaçao’s future climate risks, providing a data-driven foundation for informed policy and adaptation planning.
Topic
Project development for climate adaptation on Curaçao
Curaçao faces increasing climate risks, including rising temperatures, water shortages, and coastal erosion. While a climate adaptation strategy provides a framework for addressing these challenges, its success depends on concrete projects that translate policy into action. Currently, there is a gap between strategy and implementation, with limited initiatives to enhance climate resilience in key areas such as water management, infrastructure, coastal protection, and sustainable urban development. Identifying and developing feasible, well-structured projects is essential to ensure effective execution and long-term climate adaptation. This assignment focuses on designing practical and impactful projects that align with Curaçao’s climate adaptation strategy, considering feasibility, funding opportunities, and long-term sustainability.
