Cities worldwide are experiencing a severe housing crisis, with rental and buying prices going through the roof. The problem has significant relevance in a small country such as the Netherlands, amid space limitations and a steady rise in the population. At the same time, the construction industry has to find ways to reduce its environmental footprint – buildings represented 37 percent of global CO2 emissions in 2021.
The Dutch start-up Blue Millies is working to develop the residential neighborhoods of the future. The not-for-profit social enterprise wants to create urban districts that are sustainable, self-sufficient, and where the residents empower each other. The company intends to build four sub-districts with food forests, sports facilities, and childcare centers. In doing so, Blue Millies believes in creating diversity and inclusiveness. Moreover, the goal is to keep these flats affordable, targeting population groups that don’t have the money to buy a house nowadays.
In a previous episode of our Start-up of the Day series, we already brought you this start-up’s story. Since then, Blue Millies has continued working to refine its concept further. Frank Teeuwen, co-founder of the Utrecht-based firm, takes us through the latest developments.
How far are you in the process of building your sustainable neighborhood?
“Currently, we are discussing with a municipality for acquiring land, trying to speed up all the necessary procedures. In our previous interview, we said we envisioned breaking ground before the end of 2023. It wasn’t an unrealistic idea, but with the knowledge we gained in the past years, we can state with greater certainty that we will start in the middle of 2024.”
Have you found any partner to assist you in the process?
“Finding the right partners can be difficult at times, but as you find the right ones, you realize how valuable it is. After talking for months with several construction companies, we found our match. It is a company that wants to contribute – and deeply believes in – to establishing a more sustainable construction industry. They can advise us throughout the process, from screwing bolts to erecting load-bearing walls. Ultimately, they will be the ones to prefabricate houses.”
How did you further develop the concept behind Blue Millies?
“We used the help of experts who believe in our project. With an architect, we further develop the houses’ design. Then – working with a graphic designer – we put this design together in a render. This helps provide future residents, policymakers, and ourselves, having a better glimpse of what the neighborhood will look like.
Most importantly, our team keeps focusing on the social aspect behind our concept, which is how we will soon live, work, and grow together with the residents.”
When can we expect to see your first neighborhood completed?
“As we expect kicking off construction in mid-2024, it should be completed at the end of 2025.”
What are your future plans?
“We are fully focused on completing our first neighborhood. Once fully built, it will be a tangible example for creating the next ones, bringing it to the attention of other communities interested in building new ones. In a way, the first district will be a blueprint for the ones to come. Our ultimate goal remains to allow people in the Netherlands to live in sustainable and affordable districts. This mission is far from completed with only one neighborhood.”
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