The housing challenge and the replacement and renovation of infrastructure require a significant leap in productivity. A total investment of €72 million is intended to help develop innovations that make the housing and infrastructure sectors smarter, faster and more sustainable. The National Growth Fund is contributing €31.3 million, whilst €8.7 million is conditionally available. At the same time, partners in the Future-Proof Living Environment (TBL) programme are investing €32 million. This joint effort is intended to ensure that innovations are brought to market more quickly and are widely adopted.
Whilst the first phase of TBL centred on developing and validating innovations, the focus is now on upscaling and widespread adoption. The aim is to have removed the main barriers to large-scale implementation by 2028. By pooling demand, developing standards and jointly scaling up innovations, the aim is to create a sector that is more productive, more sustainable and future-proof.
Six sectors for a sustainable future
Over the coming years, work will focus on six specific upscaling chains, each targeting a specific part of the construction and infrastructure sector. These chains are intended to ensure that innovations make the transition from theory to practice. The chains in question are as follows:
- Bio-based construction systems: Industrial construction systems using materials such as wood, hemp fibre, miscanthus and flax, including digital product and building passports. This will accelerate the uptake of bio-based construction and is expected to result in around 5,000 bio-based homes by 2028.
- Industrial renovation systems: Further development of concepts for façade panels, roofs and 3D-printed concrete building components, linked to digital supply chain collaboration. This will increase renovation capacity and accelerate the transition to sustainability.
- Circular façade economy: Systems for the reuse, recycling and extension of the service life of windows, doors and curtain walls. This contributes to a circular construction economy in which materials last longer and are reused.
- Circular road surfacing: Innovations that contribute to a more efficient use of raw materials, lower emissions and higher productivity in road construction and maintenance.
- Future-proof bridges: Data-driven management and maintenance of bridges, combined with flexible and demountable bridge designs. This extends the service life of existing bridges and makes replacement faster and more sustainable.
- Timeless canals: Data-driven solutions for the management, maintenance and life extension of urban canals and quay walls. This preserves cultural heritage and makes quays future-proof against climate change.
Collaboration between over 100 market players
The Future-Proof Living Environment programme is a collaboration between more than 100 market players, knowledge institutions and public authorities in the design, construction and engineering sectors. These parties are working together in three consortia: ecosystem, buildings and infrastructure. Each consortium has its own focus, but together they are striving for a more productive, sustainable and future-proof sector.
The consortia are focusing on four key areas. Firstly, the (further) development of circular and bio-based construction, in which materials and construction methods are optimised for reuse and sustainability. Secondly, the data-driven management and maintenance of infrastructure, making maintenance more efficient and predictable. Thirdly, scaling up industrialisation in the sector, with the aim of increasing productivity and reducing failure costs. And finally, strengthening the innovation ecosystem by developing new approaches to learning, collaboration and structural innovation.
By seeking to link up with other innovation programmes, such as the Housing Innovation and Scaling-up Programme and the National Approach to Bio-based Construction, TBL aims to strengthen the collective drive towards faster, smarter and cleaner construction. These collaborations will, amongst other things, facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience, with the aim of applying innovations on a broad scale. The programme will run for five years (2023–2028) and is coordinated by TKI Bouw en Techniek.
