What is the case?

Business parks are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to their paved environment. The effects of heat, drought, and intensive rainfall are more pronounced here than elsewhere in the city. This implies risks for the businesses located there. Additionally, business parks significantly contribute to the climate sensitivity of other parts of the city.

Need for a new approach

Local governments are eager to implement integrated measures to make business parks not only climate-adaptive but also nature-inclusive, CO2-neutral, and attractive. Entrepreneurs are key players in taking these measures, but regular adaptation strategies of governments do not seem to directly align with their way of working. To achieve a more sustainable and future-proof design for business parks, municipalities and water boards need a new approach that enables effective collaboration with entrepreneurs on these sites.

What is the project doing about this?

At various business parks in Friesland, Groningen, and Drenthe, participatory research has been conducted to map the situation concerning (perceived) climate risks, biodiversity, and economic vitality. Based on this, we have identified obstacles and opportunities for measures and collaboration. Integrated solutions have been developed in co-creation, and through various methods, we have examined the conditions for effective cooperation between governments and entrepreneurs. The outcomes form the basis for a method for governments (municipalities and water boards) to develop climate-adaptive measures with entrepreneurs (associations).

Download research results

• Eindrapport onderzoek Klimaatadaptieve Bedrijventerreinen (Dutch, pdf, 8,3 MB)
• Studentenrapport: Dakkoeling met regenwater (Dutch, pdf, 13,5 MB)
• Studentenrapport: Biodiversiteit op bedrijventerreinen (Dutch, pdf, 14,6 MB)