Green Smart Cities

How to create beautiful cities that are more livable, sustainable, and community-focused

The event will be held in English.

Tom Bosschaert, Founder & CEO of Except Integrated Sustainability (Utrecht, NL) and Initiator of Orchid City

in conversation with Jörg Geier, ANSC Program Chair

The construction sector is responsible for 40% of global CO2 emissions. Additionally, it causes extreme water consumption, toxic waste products, questionable land sealing and a multitude of other environmental problems. Until we are prepared to make changes in this area, our efforts to reverse the climate change trend will hardly be enough. But what needs to be done to bring about the necessary changes in the construction sector?

The Orchid City concept strives to ask the right questions. Orchid City develops holistic blueprints to transform the built environment in order to create sustainable living spaces for the future: fully self-sustaining cities where all daily needs are met – social, environmental, financial, and material. Such smart cities require renewable energy, healthy food from regenerative agriculture, all-day services and programs, including schools, jobs, care, stores, culture, and entertainment. There is no need to use a car. Housing needs are adapted to a wide range of lifestyles to accommodate low-income families. Whether in factories or offices: creating meaningful jobs is another key point. The focus is on bio-based products, environmentally friendly building materials, fair textiles, and sustainable ceramics. This way, most of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be addressed.

Orchid City's design adapts to the local climate, culture, and context. Each design is tailored to local needs and societal challenges. To date, three sites have been modeled in the Netherlands, Brazil, and Vietnam, demonstrating the highly adaptable nature of the Orchid City concept in planning and design.

Tom Bosschaert is the founder and director of Except Integrated Sustainability (Utrecht, The Netherlands), a sustainability consulting and design firm. He conceptualized Orchid City to display how both structural, ecological and also social innovations can be brought together. Tom’s personal mission is to support the creation of the basis of a sustainable society. He had founded Except in 1999 while completing his Master’s degree in Industrial Design Engineering in Delft. He also studied Architecture in Australia and obtained another Master’s in Architecture & Urban Planning at Yale University. His work spans urban development, business, governance, and industry.

Important: This is a “2G” event

We appreciate but do not require a negative antigen rapid test ("Bürgertest"). There is also the obligation to wear a protective mask when moving around (FFP2).

The salon may be recorded. With your registration and participation, you give us your consent for the recording to be shared via social media.