This Co/Lab explores, together with Heijmans and relevant system partners, how we can engage stakeholders in the water challenge in a compelling and tangible way. T
The water balance disrupted
In many parts of the Netherlands, the water balance has been disrupted. This is mainly due to human interventions in the water system. We have designed the surface water system to discharge water as quickly as possible, there is a lack of capacity for buffering and infiltration, we artificially manage groundwater and surface water levels, and we extract groundwater for drinking water. The water balance is also being affected by a rapidly changing climate. This leads to challenges related to water safety, drought, water quality, food production, nature and public health.
System challenges
The Dutch water system is complex and consists of a network of groundwater, surface water and rainwater. In current practice, however, various structural issues hinder the functioning and management of this system. These include climate change, competing interests between nature, drinking water, industry and agriculture, water quality requirements under the Water Framework Directive and the housing challenge.
In addition, the Netherlands has long believed in its ability to engineer its environment. For centuries, we have fought against the water and are internationally known for the waterworks we have realised. Increasingly, we recognise that this belief in total control has reached its limits, that we risk losing the battle and that we must take greater account of water in all we do. We need to see ourselves as part of the natural system rather than standing above it.
The design question
The design question for this Co/Lab is: What if… we approached our water system as a collective responsibility?
Buitenplaats Kraaijenberg, Vught
The municipality of Vught faces an important challenge: providing sufficient housing for both young and old. Therefore, new locations for housing are being explored. Buitenplaats Kraaijenberg in Vught has been designated by the municipality as a potential site for a new neighbourhood. Heijmans is investigating whether this area development, located between Vijverbosweg and Hoevensestraat, is feasible.
This is not only about housing; Heijmans is considering the development of the entire area. The Kraaijenberg site is partly low-lying and partly situated on higher ground. This presents a key consideration for drainage. Future flooding in the lower areas and drought on the higher ground must be prevented.
Why a Co/Lab?
The water challenge seems to belong to everyone and no one at the same time. Because no one feels truly responsible, solutions are rarely approached in an integrated way. Instead, people tend to look to one another, while no one takes the lead. Conversations about the water balance often take place within our own bubble. The risk is that, despite good intentions, we quickly reach agreement without making real progress. We also tend to move too quickly towards solutions, while the issue is not necessarily substantive in nature.
In relation to the water balance challenge, and specifically within the context of housing, we are seeking new ways of collaborating with both direct and indirect stakeholders. Parties are involved in water management at different moments and have different interests. How can we move beyond existing barriers to collaboration and uncover new, workable solutions that are not yet visible?
In this Co/Lab, we focus on redesigning collaboration around water before jointly exploring how projects themselves might be improved or adapted. We want to investigate how a sense of ownership for a healthy water balance can be encouraged among stakeholders, including those without a direct stake. We believe it is important to let people feel and experience the situation, rather than only talk about it, and to create a setting in which everyone feels safe to step outside their comfort zone and explore new forms of collaboration together.
This Co/Lab focuses on the water balance in area development: the relationship between water entering and leaving an area, within the natural system of groundwater, surface water and rainwater. A healthy water balance requires not only technical solutions, but collaboration across the stakeholder system.
Design studios contribute by strengthening this collaboration and exploring shared responsibility.
What kind of designers are we working with?
For this Co/Lab, we work with designers who approach water not only as a technical issue, but as a systemic and collaborative challenge. A collaboration between a design studio and an expert, for example in the field of behaviour or systems change, is also an option.
We work with a design studio that understands that the greatest barrier within the water system is not purely substantive, but lies in behaviour, structures, roles, responsibilities and mutual dynamics. Design studios that investigate how the system truly works between people, organisations and interests. Based on these insights, they develop new forms of collaboration, methods and tools that enable regenerative development and contribute to a potential breakthrough of systemic barriers. In other words, designers with expertise in areas such as behavioural and organisational science, strategic and systems design, and social and participatory design.
In this Co/Lab, the emphasis is therefore not primarily on finding practical solutions to water-related challenges, but on creating new forms of collaboration and engaging with one another on a different level.
Two phases
The Co/Lab consists of two interconnected phases:
- Phase 1 – Discover & Define (2026):
In this phase, new forms of collaboration around water balance challenges are explored and tested. Together with Heijmans and system partners, we investigate what works, what motivates stakeholders, and how choices can be made tangible and transparent. Based on these insights, guiding concepts are developed that illustrate what collaboration and shared ownership could look like.
- Phase 2 – Develop (2027):
The concepts and insights from phase 1 are translated into concrete ways of working, interventions, and tools. These resources support employees of Heijmans and its partners in their work and collaboration around the water transition. They also make it easier to put new forms of communication, co-creation, and shared responsibility into practice.
Does this sound like a design challenge for you?
In the briefing below, you will find all the information about the Co/Lab and the challenge. You can apply for this Co/Lab until 6 April, 23:59.
