Pilot Project to Make Municipal Real Estate More Sustainable Off to a Good Start

The municipality of Voorschoten plans to make its municipal real estate more sustainable in the coming years. A good start was made on this initiative during the week of November 15. The De Boschbloem Activity Center and the De Boschfluiters Preschool were fully equipped with energy-efficient HR++ glass.

In May 2021, with energy and climate change in mind, the city council decided to make its municipal real estate more sustainable. In doing so, it is also aligning with national energy policies.

Pilot

As a result, it was decided to begin implementing these goals this year and to launch a pilot program (a hands-on learning initiative) for two properties in its municipal real estate portfolio. The lessons learned will be incorporated into the follow-up project to make municipal real estate more sustainable. An investment appropriation was set aside for this purpose in the 2021 budget. De Boschbloem and De Boschfluiters, together with Alettahof, will serve as the pilot for this policy. The municipality will incorporate the lessons learned from the renovations to the community center and preschool on B.S. van der Oyelaan and Sixlaan into the follow-up project. This is scheduled for 2022.

HR++ glass

The installation of HR++ windows is in line with the municipality’s planned policy to make more municipal properties in Voorschoten more sustainable. De Boschbloem and De Boschfluiters are housed in a building with double-pane windows. After 33 years, these windows were due for replacement. The double-pane windows were replaced with HR++ glass, which significantly reduces heat loss. This provides much greater comfort for the building’s occupants. In addition, it results in lower energy bills and is, of course, good for the climate.