Beter in de Buurt: Community organizing als hefboom voor VvE-verduurzaming in de Rotterdam Zuid

The Beter in de Buurt project, funded by Klimaatonderzoek Initiatief Nederland and the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, investigates the role of community organizing in facilitating sustainable renovations for homeowner associations in vulnerable neighborhoods like Rotterdam Zuid. The initiative addresses common barriers to renovation, such as limited financial resources, technical complexities, and a lack of trust and collective decision-making capacity among residents. The project employs a comparative study across six associations, with three receiving specialized community organizing and three receiving standard support. By analyzing these groups, the study aims to determine if a community-led approach increases resident participation, fosters stronger consensus, and results in more ambitious renovation plans for the Carnisse area and similar urban environments.