SUPERLOCAL in Bleijerheide up to speed
In Bleijerheide, the SUPERLOCAL project is still hard at work.
Four high-rise apartment buildings are making way for 130 new affordable rental units, a common area for residents and neighbors, a new public space and a water loop.
What does it look like now?
The fifteen ground-level homes have been occupied for some time. The flat is almost finished, in the first quarter of 2022 the new residents can move into their homes. Work on the new public space is in full swing. The water cycle is taking shape. A parking deck has been added to the apartment building where residents will soon be able to park their cars.
What makes the project special?
SUPERLOCAL is not a usual area development. We did not simply demolish the flats and build new housing. No, as many materials as possible from the area are reused and applied in the construction of new housing and the construction of public spaces. Reuse of the concrete was first applied in an expo building, then in three test houses and then on a larger scale in new housing.
What can we do with European grants?
SUPERLOCAL has received two European grants, from Urban Innovative Actions and Life. These allow the partners to test new methods on an extensive scale, such as how to turn concrete from the old apartment into new usable concrete or how to reuse the water in the area. From the lessons learned and still being learned, 'the world' can make use of them. We call this "Open Source.
Much interest from home and abroad
There is a lot of interest in SUPERLOCAL from home and abroad. From ministers, European delegations from Brussels and municipalities to groups of students, lobbyists and professionals in the field of building and circularity. This shows how special the project is.
Winner The Innovation in Politics Award 2020
Not only does the attention given to the project show how unique it is, but also the awards that have been won. Responsible Alderman Tim Weijers likes to think back to the moment he learned that SUPERLOCAL had won The Innovation in Politics Award 2020: "I was called with the good news and was immensely proud. On our city and on the unique collaboration with 12 partners within this wonderful innovative project." SUPERLOCAL also won the Dutch Building Award.
People make the area
The residents of the "old flats" were very close, it was its own community. The parties would like to see that return to the area. Therefore, former residents have been approached to return and the new residents must want to get involved in their neighborhood. The neighborhood also has a sounding board group of local residents and, recently, residents. They are closely involved in the plans and are a source of questions for the neighborhood.
Cooperating partners
SUPERLOCAL-Super Circular Estate is a circular building project in Bleijerheide, Kerkrade dedicated to sustainability and resident participation. Project partners are: HEEMwonen, municipality of Kerkrade, IBA Parkstad, Dusseldorp, construction companies Jongen, Stadsregio Parkstad Limburg, WML, Waterschapsbedrijf Limburg, Zuyd Hogeschool, Veras, municipality of Landgraaf and municipality of Brunssum.
More information can be found on the website of SUPERLOCAL
In the SUPERLOCAL project in Bleijerheide, as many materials as possible from former high-rise flats are being used for the construction of new housing and public space. There will be 130 new affordable rental homes, a common space for residents and neighbors, and a water cycle that collects and purifies rainwater. SUPERLOCAL is a circular building project dedicated to sustainability and resident participation. Twelve parties are working together: municipality of Kerkrade, HEEMwonen, WBL, WML, Veras, municipality of Brunssum, municipality of Landgraaf, Zuyd Hogeschool, Bouwbedrijven Jongen, Dusseldorp demolition and infra and the city region of Parkstad Limburg.
