Lecture by Prof. Liesbeth Huybrechts: Participatory Design of Energy Transitions at the Neighborhood Scale

In this lecture, Prof. Huybrechts will explore the use of Participatory Design approaches in facilitating energy transitions at the neighbourhood scale. Drawing on two case studies from Belgium—the garden cities in Genk and the post-war neighbourhoods in Kortrijk—she will discuss how designers collaborated with residents, public authorities, and local organisations to advance sustainable energy goals in historically significant areas. The lecture will delve into the successes and challenges of these participatory processes, examining what methods effectively engaged diverse stakeholders, where tensions arose, and how the projects balanced energy, social, and cultural objectives. Prof. Huybrechts will also reflect on issues of inclusion and exclusion in these transitions, offering insights into the complexities of aligning community and environmental goals.

Prof. Liesbeth Huybrechts, an Associate Professor at the University of Hasselt, specialises in participatory design, design anthropology, and spatial transformation processes. Her research focuses on fostering participatory exchanges and capacity building between humans and the material/natural environment, with an emphasis on the "politics" of these interactions.