Imagine walking through a neighborhood where every tree, street and garden could previously be seen in a digital environment. In a few years, it will be reality for residents of the Liendert neighborhood in Amersfoort. Several parties are busy redesigning the residential neighborhood that was built in the 1960s. They are using a digital tool to create a healthy and sustainable living environment in the Utrecht region, Heart of Health.
The Liendert Interactive Visual Experience (LIVE) project brings together cutting-edge technology and collaboration. It is an innovative project to improve public space in Liendert using the digital tool Digital Twin. The Digital Twin creates a digital copy of the neighborhood. In the 3D environment, everything is captured in detail. From infrastructure, tree health to water drainage options.
Optimal situation
So, in addition to the 3D Cityplanner, the LIVE project is also working on a water monitoring system and a tree registry to identify and monitor climate measures in public spaces. Camiel Weijzen, economics consultant for the municipality of Amersfoort, explains: “In the digital representation of reality, we can apply all kinds of scenarios. What is the impact of placing or removing a tree? How does rainwater flow away when it rains hard? In this way, we can test in advance whether an idea will turn out well or not. And adjust plans to the most optimal situation.”
The European REACT-EU program is subsidizing the project with 1 million euros. That amounts to 60 percent of the project costs. The remaining 40 percent of the 1.7 million cost will be borne by the project partners (Amersfoort-based geo-companies, specifically Geomaat, NEO, Hydrologic, Strategis and AeroVision), RVIM, Future City and the Municipality of Amersfoort.
Earth Valley
LIVE is a project within the Earth Valley initiative. This initiative brings together companies, knowledge institutions and governments to tackle social and urban challenges. From the Utrecht region, Heart of Health they develop innovative solutions to problems such as climate change, energy transition, livability and sustainable mobility. The goal? To make the Amersfoort-Utrecht region a leading knowledge environment, both nationally and internationally.
Building blocks
“There is a lot of knowledge in our region in the field of digital innovation. We are good at that,” says Camiel. “Earth Valley connects parties such as engineering firms, innovative companies and educational institutions to realize a healthy urban living environment. After all, the building blocks are there for the taking in our region. We provide a network, but it must also produce results.”
Geo-data
The innovation project LIVE is a concrete example of Earth Valley’s ambitions. “In this project we combine knowledge and experience in the field of digitization and use geo-data such as maps, satellite photos and aerial images from drones, for example. We are applying this knowledge and solutions in the Liendert neighborhood, but they can also be used in other neighborhoods and cities in the Netherlands.”
Living Lab
The collaboration between various parties combined with the tool represents an important new step in urban development. By combining various data, this project shows how digitization and collaboration can contribute to solving urban and social issues. Moreover, it provides the opportunity for all participants to test their ideas. As a result, LIVE serves as the ideal testing ground for the development of 3D city models.
Healthy region
“In addition, as a municipality, we are involved as a partner in the development of the project,” Camiel adds. Ultimately, Amersfoort wants to give its residents the opportunity to live healthier lives physically, mentally and socially, in an environment that contributes to this. “We want to become the healthiest region in Europe. Through innovations like this, we can achieve that goal. This is how we become healthy people in a healthy environment in a healthy society.”
Better decisions
The tool offers so many possibilities that the parties continue to develop. “As a municipality, it is useful to be able to use computers to put ideas from stakeholders and all the data into a model. Technology makes things easier and better. This development allows us to make faster and better decisions. That’s really an advantage.”
Experiment
Experimentation is currently underway with Liendert. Once the tool is well mastered, the techniques and methods developed in Liendert can be used efficiently in other places where changes in public space are needed. The knowledge gained is immediately applicable. In addition, the experiences from the LIVE project can also come in handy in other Earth Valley initiatives.
Puzzle piece
Indeed, Camiel hopes that many more issues can be solved under Earth Valley’s umbrella. “Think about issues around sustainable mobility, energy, climate adaptation and traffic jams on the power grid. It would be nice if we could find solutions and switch gears quickly with parties in the neighborhood. By seeing together who can provide which piece of the puzzle of the solution. This is how we strengthen knowledge in the region.”
