NEB Lab: Sustainable and Inclusive Neighbourhoods

Goal: Transforming places sustainably

The project partners and participants will work together to design and develop neighbourhood and district projects from the initial idea through to implementation. The project will provide support in the search for and application of financing options, including public subsidies, for ecologically and socially viable projects. Whether extensive construction, development and infrastructure projects in the fields of circular economy or CO₂ neutrality, or small-scale, targeted ecological and social improvements on site. 

Approach – the three project phases

In phase 1, the project team analyses and conceptualizes projects which have potential in the ecologic and social dimension. The analysis will be published via a knowledge platform. Here, a connection to the soon to be published DGNB Social Impact Award can be made. 

Phase 2 consists of the passing on of knowledge to various projects. These projects must apply to the NEB Lab. The NEB Toolbox is used as a methodological basis. 

Phase 3 focuses on scaling successful approaches. The gained knowledge, conceptual ideas (phase 1) and capacity building (phase 2) are upscaled through further training (on the job).

The project offers the following services: 

• Consultancy and project management in the field of urban planning, sustainability and social inclusion
• Stakeholder and persona analyses – concepts that focus on people
• Urban sustainability concepts, certification, and green finance consulting
• Holistic feasibility studies including business plans, innovative infrastructure and development concepts
• Development of a realistic roadmap and support for concrete implementation, including on-site construction management

Project milestones

• September 2024: Launch at the Future Summit, Berlin
• January 2025: EU funds already won (Driving Urban Transition (DUT), Horizon, ELENA, EUCF)
• Through 2025: Neighborhood projects designed and set up (Germany, Estonia, Austria, etc.)

Participation in the project

Why participate?

1. Increased visibility, EU-wide
2. Interdisciplinary expertise in spatial, social and ecological issues
3. Access to funding – including grants and other financing options
4. Participants benefit from expert knowledge (NEB ecosystem)
5. Safety – your project is future-proof in line with EU policies and regulations

How do you join?

Participate as a project: 
Apply with your district, neighbourhood development project by sending us your expression of interest.  

Criteria:

• Project needs to be in Europe or associated countries
• Assessment of the project regarding the NEB principles
• After positive assessment: signing of commitment letter

Participate as a committed network partner: 

• As a service provider, innovator, university or similar
• Joining and organizing events
• Individual in-kind-contributions in the form of a commitment letter

Participate as a donor / foundation:

• You support a project that actively contributes to solving social challenges such as housing shortages, inclusive architecture and public space, social isolation, and unequal living conditions. Donors position themselves as pioneers in the field of social and sustainable neighbourhood development.
• You tap into a broad network of experts, municipalities and project planners.
• The Lab offers the opportunity to participate in the development of new technologies, materials and concepts that are directly related to the business areas of the funding agencies (e.g. building material innovation, circular economy).
• By systematically analysing and evaluating successful projects, the Lab generates well-founded findings. Donors can use these for their own strategies to develop sustainable business models or strengthen their CSR strategies.

Upcoming events 

• NEW bauhaus
  • 19 May 2025 in Berlin  I Kick-off NEW bauhaus Lab LIVING PERIODS (supported by NEB Lab Experts)
  • 03-04 September 2025 in Weimar  I NEW bauhaus VISIONALE: The future of the Real Estate Industry  I  Link
• 11-12 June 2025 in Brussels  I neext European Talk  I  neext European Talk in Brussels
• 15-16 October 2025 in Vienna I  Austrian Institute of Technology & ÖGNI – Urban Transformation I  neext Themendialog (powered by Drees & Sommer)  I  Link
• 05 November 2025 in Barcelona I  New European Bauhaus LAB: Inclusive and Sustainable Neighbourhoods I  Tomorrow. Mobility World Congress  I  Link

Previous events 

• 18 September 2024 (remote)  I  NEB Lab - Towards Inclusive & Sustainable Neighbourhoods  I  neext Future Summit 2024  (powered by Drees & Sommer)  I  Link
• RE-BUILDING EUROPE (NEB Lab Preparation Journey)
  • 28-29 August 2022 in Basel  I Smart, inclusive and green Cities for peaceful and secure European Societies  I  Link
  • 07-08 July 2022 in Milan  I  Re-building territorial Strategies for future European Societies  I  Link

Project team coordinators

BABLE Smart Cities, NEB Friend
CPEA, NEB Partner
DGNB, NEB Partner
Drees & Sommer, NEB Friend 
ICLEI, NEB Partner 

Contact

Haris Piplas: haris [dot] piplasdreso [dot] com,

Alexander Schmidt: alexbable-smartcities [dot] eu (alex[at]bable-smartcities[dot]eu)

Related information

The NEB Lab