How healthy is your neighborhood?

A new way to understand urban well-being

Cities are more than just buildings. They shape how we live, feel, and connect. A healthy city offers clean air, safe transportation, green spaces, and opportunities for social interaction. Yet, as urban areas expand, these qualities come under pressure.

By 2050, nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in cities, facing increased noise, pollution, inequality, and stress.

Improve health

To address these challenges, the municipality of Eindhoven launched the Healthy Living Area project, aiming to improve health in neighborhoods. However, they encountered a key obstacle: existing tools focused either on hard data or personal experiences — rarely both. What was needed was a method that could integrate objective indicators with the lived experiences of residents.

In collaboration with the municipality, Eindhoven Engine hosted the EngD project of Golnoosh Sabahifard, embodying its core philosophy: deeply understand the problem before jumping to solutions. A systems overview was essential, beginning with a systems dynamics sketch — the foundation for a model that could later support policy scenarios. Crucially, the project wasn’t done for the people, but with them. Stakeholders were involved in co-creating and validating the systems map, ensuring it reflected real experiences. These principles — co-creation, systems thinking, and problem understanding — are central to Eindhoven Engine’s approach to innovative solutions.

 

A new approach: Combining data with daily life

With a background in architecture and built environment, Golnoosh brought a systems-thinking mindset to the project. She combined systems dynamics modeling with citizen participation, using the Vensim platform to build a model based on eight criteria — four social and four environmental — already used by the municipality:

Social indicators:

• Socioeconomic status (SES)
• Loneliness
• Stress
• Years in good perceived health

 

Environmental indicators:

• Green space
• Noise levels
• Distance to facilities
• Population density

These criteria were applied to two neighborhoods: Hemelrijken and Blixembosch-Oost. The model visualized how these factors interact, enabling comparison and scenario testing. But numbers alone weren’t enough. To capture residents’ perspectives, Golnoosh used the Repertory Grid technique. Participants compared criteria in triads — for example, stress, green space, and noise — and explained which two felt similar and why. This revealed personal constructs like “quiet vs noisy” or “stressful vs calm.” Residents then rated all criteria, adding depth and nuance to the model.

Neighborhood-specific strategy

The findings were revealing. In Hemelrijken, low SES and high stress emerged as the strongest negative drivers of health. Green space and noise were key environmental concerns. Residents confirmed these insights, emphasizing stress, noise, and crowding as major issues. They prioritized solutions such as stress relief, affordable housing, and long-term health support.

In contrast, Blixembosch-Oost presented a different picture. Residents focused more on long-term health, SES, and green space. Loneliness and distance to facilities were more prominent concerns, reflecting the suburban layout. While noise and stress were present, they weren’t central. Residents valued green space and lifestyle health, viewing affordability and density as moderate issues.

These differences highlight a crucial lesson: urban health strategies must be neighborhood-specific. What works in one area may not apply in another. A one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work.

Based on the findings, Golnoosh proposed tailored solutions:

• For Hemelrijken: pocket parks, green roofs, noise reduction measures, affordable housing, and community events to relieve stress and foster belonging
• For Blixembosch-Oost: preserving green infrastructure, health awareness programs, noise buffers, and inclusive community activities

 

Two additional insights emerged. First, urban health is shaped not just by data, but by people’s lived experiences. Residents often described health in personal terms, such as ‘quiet vs noisy’ or ‘stressful vs calm’. Second, co-creation is essential: involving residents leads to more grounded and accepted solutions.

The next phase

The project didn’t end there. A new team member, Veron Afonso, joined to expand the systems dynamics simulation, bringing an IT perspective. The next phase involves returning to residents for validation and scenario building, continuing the cycle of co-creation and refinement.

This project exemplifies how diverse expertise, citizen involvement, and systems thinking can lead to meaningful urban innovation. As Golnoosh’s work shows, understanding the problem deeply is the key to designing healthier cities. Once the real challenges are clear, solutions follow naturally.

Advancing energy flexibility in buildings

Transforming building energy management with smart control systems

The BuildInFlexergy project, funded by the Dutch Mission-Driven Research, Development, and Innovation (MOOI) program, is revolutionizing building energy flexibility. This is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and managed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). This four-year industry leading initiative unites 10 industry partners (including Eindhoven Engine) and 2 top universities (TU Eindhoven and TU Delft).

A unified approach to innovation

Coordinated and managed by Kropman B.V., the consortium includes installation companies, energy consultants, platform developers, building owners and managers, technology providers, and other experts. The aim is to foster open knowledge exchange and drive innovation through strategic collaboration and widespread dissemination of results.

Buildings at the heart of the energy transition

As the energy sector shifts towards a decentralized, digital, and low-carbon future, buildings—significant consumers of electricity and thermal energy—are key to providing demand-side flexibility. This flexibility allows buildings to adjust their energy use in response to external signals like electricity prices, carbon intensity, or grid constraints, without sacrificing occupant comfort or essential functions.

Kick-off meeting 17th June, 2025 | Kropman Nijmegen

The power of model predictive control

Model Predictive Control (MPC) is a cutting-edge tool for optimizing building energy performance. Unlike traditional control systems, MPC uses predictive models and real-time data to proactively manage a wide range of systems, including HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), lighting, heat pumps, thermal storage, electric vehicles charging and other building loads It uses forecasts of occupancy, weather conditions and other relevant parameters to determine the best control actions over a future period, continuously updating the plan based on new data.

Mijke the Matchbot: Bridging gaps with AI

Introducing Mijke, the Matchbot: a conversational AI designed to bridge the gap between individuals with low literacy and the support systems around them.

Hi, I’m Sichen, and I am currently pursuing an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) at Eindhoven Engine. With a background in Industrial Design and a strong focus on user experience (UX) and interaction design, I completed my master’s at Eindhoven University of Technology.

Currently, I work within the focus area of Inclusive Society. Here, I explore how AI can create more accessible and supportive environments for everyone. Our solution? Mijke, the Matchbot.

 

Breaking barriers with AI

My EngD project focuses on the development of Mijke from the Met Mij project. Mijke is a conversational AI chatbot designed to support NT1 (Dutch as a first language) adults with limited basic skills in accessing local services. Hosted on WhatsApp and powered by a large language model, Mijke offers both voice and text interaction. This reduces the barriers many users face with written communication.

 The project explores five core challenges:

Addressing information inequality

Millions of people in the Netherlands struggle with basic literacy, numeracy, and digital skills. Mijke shows a possibility of solving this information inequality by offering a friendly experience tailored to the real-world needs of often overlooked people via Artificial Intelligence (AI). This work stands at the crossroads of technology, social equity, and public service innovation. It shows how AI can be used responsibly in human-centered design.

Empowering communities

To achieve these goals, I plan to run iterative user tests to gather insights and improve mijke’s usability.  to help people with limited basic skills access support more easily and confidently. By doing so, I hope to decrease the workload of stakeholders, such as social workers, employees from municipalities, or public service staff. Additionally, I want to set a benchmark for evaluating AI recommendations in social public service contexts and contribute new knowledge and tools to the fields of human-computer interaction (HCI), accessibility, and digital inclusion.

As energy demands continue to rise, many regions, including the Brainport region, are facing significant grid congestion challenges. These issues hinder the efficient use and storage of renewable energy, putting strain on the local electricity network. With ambitious sustainability goals in place, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions to optimize energy management and ensure a stable grid.

With the GENIUS project, the TU/e campus will become a smart lab for energy transition solutions. Ultimately, this project will served as a blueprint for efficiently managing energy demand and to serve as a testing ground for innovations, shortening their time to market.
 

• Cathelijne Brantjes | Human & Technology, 4th year, Avans University of Applied Sciences | Inclusive Society
  Research on making blended care more understandable at general practitioners’ offices for people aged 18-40 with reduced digital skills.

• Hilde Schram | Strategic Communication, HBO Master, Fontys University of Applied Science | Communication
  Eindhoven Engine focuses on the complex challenges our society faces. Addressing these challenges requires a specific approach. Hilde is researching how this approach can be tackled through strategic communication.

• Levi Deerenberg | Business Innovation, 4th year, Avans University of Applied Sciences | Livable Region
  Develop a concept that reduces energy consumption at the residential towers Luna & Aurora on the TU/e-campus by actively influencing the behavior of the residents.

• Ivory Johan | Business Innovation, 4th year, Avans University of Applied Sciences | Livable Region
  Develop an innovative concept to increase the engagement and participation of students and staff on the TU/e campus around sustainability, by connecting them with sustainable innovations in an inspiring way.

• David Rozenberg | HBO-ICT (Software) , 4th year, Fontys University of Applied Science | Inclusive Society
  Preparing the MetMij chatbot for deployment and real-world use. MetMij easily directs people with low basic skills to appropriate support agencies.

• Santiago Triginer | Industrial Engineering, 3rd year, Eindhoven University of Technology | Livable Region
  Identifying challenges and solutions for solar panel reuse, and exploring how AI can enhance recycling processes.

• Mare Gijsbers | Business Innovation, 4th year, Avans University of Applied science | Inclusive Society
  Develop a methodology to effectively and accessibly introduce the ‘Met Mij’ app to users with low literacy, enabling them to quickly and easily receive support to participate fully in society.

• Rosalie Hendriks | Business Innovation, 4th year, Avans University of Applied Sciences | Inclusive Society
  Develop a new concept for people with low basic skills between the ages of 18 and 40 in the Eindhoven region, in such a way that these people can independently ensure the security of their financial situation.

The Career Expo is specially tailored for all TU/e students. However, if you are a non-TU/e student it is possible to walk around over the expo and have a talk with all the companies.

During the expo, students will have the possibility to introduce their selves to over 180 companies eager to answer questions and talk about their potential place in that field of study or business. Students will be able to orient their selves and develop their career like never before.

Source: Innovation Origins

The project focuses on smartly addressing grid congestion, improving connectivity and creating a sustainable testing ground for innovations. The battery plays a crucial role in optimizing energy flows on campus and enables sustainable growth.

This reveal is for invited guests only.

Introducing the GENIUS project

A promising answer to these pressing issues is the GENIUS project (Grid Efficiency and Network Integration for Universal Sustainability). With €1 million in funding, the GENIUS project is set to pioneer energy efficiency and tackle grid congestion challenges. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving 13 partners, including Eindhoven Engine, and is part of its Livable Regions program

A blueprint for nationwide application

The project aims to smartly address grid congestion, enhance connectivity, and create a sustainable testing ground for innovations. With the GENIUS project, the TU/e campus will become a smart lab for energy transition solutions. Ultimately, this project will served as a blueprint for efficiently managing energy demand. The goal is to develop solutions that can be applied to approximately 3,500 industrial sites across the Netherlands, ensuring a more stable and efficient energy network.

For more details, check out the article published by Innovation Origins.