Aardehuizen
Netherlands' most self-sufficient neighbourhood

Where's the water from?
There is no sewage/drinkwater connection. Instead, ground water is pumped up from a depth of 60m. After usage, wastewater is cleaned using a helophyte filter before being drained to the surface water, thereby fully restoring the local water balance.
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water self-sufficiency

How to produce energy?
The Aardehuizen is one of very few truly 'Zero Energy Neighbourhoods'.
Electricity: Rooftop solar panels produce more electricity than is consumed each year.
Space heating: Pallet stoves burn sustainable biomass to generate heat.
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Electricity: Rooftop solar panels produce more electricity than is consumed each year.
Space heating: Pallet stoves burn sustainable biomass to generate heat.
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energy self-sufficiency

What do they produce?
> There is a small communal herb garden.
> Many inhabitants keep chickens for eggs.
> Berries and fruits are grown in the gardens.
> A small aquaponics system provides fish.
> One house even has a banana tree inside.
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> Many inhabitants keep chickens for eggs.
> Berries and fruits are grown in the gardens.
> A small aquaponics system provides fish.
> One house even has a banana tree inside.
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%
food self-sufficiency
A unique achievement
Getting high on their own supply
No other neighbourhood in the Netherlands comes close to the level of self-sufficiency that is achieved in the Aardehuizen, thanks to the dedication of its inhabitants to change regulations once deemed as insurmountable barriers, as well as to build systems even when there is no direct business case.
What did it take?
A concerted effort to change the world
United by a single vision, the Aardehuizen were built by the inhabitants themselves. It took tremendous effort, willpower and required many conflicts to be resolved. The success of the Aardehuizen is not easily replicated, making it therefore important to learn from their lessons.
Did you know that 90% of ecovillage initiatives fail?
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people
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years start to finish
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months to build
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labour hours
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euro invested
What we like
By the people, for the people
All design decisions around urban planning focus on building a thriving community. Instead of everyone having their own driveway, carport, toolshed and gated garden, they decided to tackle these issues collectively in order to create a highly liveable and inclusive neighbourhood.
Project 3:
> Shared facilities: A trampoline for kids is just one of many shared facilities that the neighbours decided to install.
> Community building: A community house in the center allows for gatherings, parties and other activities.
> One big garden: All houses have well-tended gardens without fencing, creating the feeling of living inside of a big botanical garden
> Quiet living: Almost no traffic or light pollution thanks to having neither asphalt nor street lanterns inside the neighbourhood.
Inside the houses
Modern housing with a twist
Each house in the Aardehuizen is different on the inside, depending on the owners’ tastes, wants and needs. Generally, the interiors are styled with an emphasis on natural materials and equipped with all modern comforts.
