Dutch and Belgian Queens visit Smart Sustainable District Utrecht
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited the city of Utrecht on Wednesday 30 November as part of the state visit of the King and Queen of Belgium to the Netherlands. They got a brief explanation about Climate-KIC’s Smart Sustainable Districts programme Utrecht.
Queen Maxima and Queen Mathilde arrived by train for a tour of the new Central Station, followed by a presentation in City Hall on the developments in the district.
The Utrecht Central Station area has been selected as an icon for sustainable transformation by the European Climate-KIC programme Smart Sustainable Districts. Carolien van Hemel, director of USI, was invited to give a brief explanation about the Smart Sustainable Districts project in Utrecht. In this project, several European research institutes will specify the sustainable ambitions of Jaarbeurs and the Municipality of Utrecht and will provide decisive input for the redevelopment plans.
Mayor Jan van Zanen, alderman Victor Everhardt, area development director Martin Mulder of the Municipality of Utrecht and Jaarbeurs director Rob van der Heijden were also present.
About Smart Sustainable Districts
Smart Sustainable Districts (SSD) is a consortium of city districts working together to accelerate the expertise and best practice needed to transition cities to zero-carbon living. It is one of Climate-KIC’s flagship programmes.
A ‘smart sustainable district’ is characterised by low carbon mobility, smart grids, energy neutral buildings, efficient water management and accessible, public green space. All of this is underpinned by responsive technologies that optimise resources. A smart sustainable district also promotes well-being and sustainable lifestyles.
SSD at a Glance
- Cities have ambitious climate goals but can struggle to bridge the gap between aspiration and the practical steps needed
- Districts have the autonomy and optimum scale for testing and implementing innovation
- A lack of implementation frameworks and joined-up policy hinders district development
- SSD starts dialogue and creates the tools and frameworks to accelerate implementation
- The programme now comprises nine districts across Europe and is expanding globally
Click here for more information about our Smart Sustainable Districts programme.
As cities grapple with transforming and adapting to meet...
All around the globe, cities and regions are driving...
Running from November 28 to December 2, the activities...
The Culture and Creative Sector Industries (CCSI) can play...
In order to reach net zero by 2030, or...
Gipuzkoa is taking action towards sustainability through collaboration with...
Much of the discussion around COP27 this year has...
The European Green Deal represents a unique opportunity for...
Audrey S-Darko is a researcher and a farmer from...
As the official COP27 outcomes are being drafted this...
Massamba Thioye is leading the UN climate change Global...
The Climate-KIC International Foundation is looking for a Supervisory...
Climate start-ups supported by EIT Climate-KIC are now worth...
Slovenia’s ministry of higher education is gearing up for...
EIT Climate-KIC launches the Post Coal Future Lab initiative...
“What does it mean to enable businesses to deal...
“Beautiful, Sustainable, Together”. These are the values – and...
The intersection of climate and innovation remains a male-dominated...
A broad survey, possible solutions displayed on screens, inspirational...
Climate-focused start-up teams in developing countries face distinct challenges...
EIT Community New European Bauhaus partners will be hosting...
Slovenia has decided to actively combat climate change by...
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has...
The City Council of Milan approved the Air and...
Three innovators from EIT Climate-KIC’s community have been nominated...
On Monday 13 June, the representatives of the 100...
Climate smart forest economies It’s a crucial decade for...
Scotland’s largest city region is actively tackling climate change...
EIT Climate-KIC and Built by Nature, announce an initiative...
EIT Climate-KIC is launching Circularity Thinking courses to tackle...