How do we ready the existing built environment for the future? A large part of the Netherlands has already been built. At the same time, climate change, limited space and changing housing needs are setting new requirements for our cities and neighbourhoods. As a result, the challenge is shifting increasingly from expanding to adapting.
In this session, Ronald Schleurholts of cepezed and Eric van der Kooij, Chair of BNSP and concept developer at BPD, will talk with each other and with the audience about the future of existing neighbourhoods, buildings and cities.
At the core is the question of how we can upgrade, intensify and make existing housing and areas climate-resilient. This requires a different way of looking: not only from the perspective of demolition and new-build, but precisely from what is already there and what opportunities are embedded within it.
The speakers share their perspectives from architecture, urban planning and area development, and explore how renovation, sustainability measures, climate adaptation and new housing can come together in a single integrated design challenge. How do we ensure that existing neighbourhoods not only perform better, but also become more attractive, liveable and future-proof?
We also link this to the ambitions set out in the Nota Ruimte and discuss what choices are needed to deliver them. Where are the opportunities, where do we need to dare to think differently, and how do we make this transition a reality in practice?
For three days, the real estate sector stood shoulder to shoulder at RAI Amsterdam. With a record number of visitors, a packed programme and plenty of energy, PROVADA 2026 was an edition to remember. Below, we look back at the highlights — and at the end you'll find the photos and aftermovie to relive it all.
At PROVADA 2026, the PROVADA Inspiration Award 2026 was presented to Michel Baars. The award is presented annually to an individual who realises sustainable change within the built environment through vision, courage and decisiveness. This year's presentation marks the award's fifth edition.
The nominees for the PROVADA Inspiration Award 2026 have been announced! Three inspiring professionals who are truly making a difference in the industry are competing for the title. Meet the nominees:
On Tuesday 9 June at 10:00 AM, PROVADA will be officially opened by Lieutenant General Dick van Ingen, Deputy Director-General of Policy at the Ministry of Defence. Through his contribution, PROVADA underlines the current and growing intersections between Defence and the real estate sector.
During PROVADA, BouwLab R&Do and The Green Village will be providing the content programming for the Innovation Café. In collaboration with partners BPD, COD and VORM, and the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and the DMI Ecosystem, one central question takes the lead: how do we move innovation faster from idea to application?
The fiscal threshold for foreign pension funds and insurers to invest in the Dutch housing market must be significantly lowered. That is the view of Mark Siezen, CEO of asset manager Bouwinvest. 'Foreign capital is absolutely essential to meet the enormous housing construction challenge. That requires a stable housing policy and fiscal climate. I am hopeful: the new minister recognises this and will act on it.'