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- The Long Hurdle Run – what homeowners' associations learn about sustainability
Summary Making a homeowners' association (VvE) more sustainable isn't a sprint, it's a hurdle run. This is evident in the book "De Lange Hordenloop" (The Long Hurdle Race) about VvE Sustainability , which provides practical examples of how they make their buildings future-proof step by step. The Sustainability Committee is pleased to share this book with all residents of Kleiburg Phase 1, as it's relatable and informative for our own approach. You can download it at the bottom of this article (please mind that this issue has only been published in Dutch) . What is the Long Hurdles Run ? The book, commissioned by the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area , tells the story of two homeowners' associations (VvEs) that made their buildings more sustainable. Not through grand promises, but through the real work: building support, making plans, securing financing, and weighing technical options. The title refers to the many obstacles a homeowners' association (VvE) faces along the way – from subsidies and quotes to permit regulations and communication between residents. The message is hopeful: every hurdle can be overcome, as long as the association takes the process step by step and works well together. What can we learn from other homeowners' associations? The book describes the examples of the Anslijn Owners' Association and Buitendok Owners' Association . Both complexes demonstrate that success begins with a clear plan, expert guidance, and plenty of patience. At VvE Anslijn, a single, coherent package of measures was chosen, which was approved in its entirety. At VvE Buitendok they started with four variants, but later they decided to further develop only the most feasible scenarios. This approach – first explore, then narrow down – is exactly what is central to Kleiburg phase 1. Why are we sharing this book? The Long Hurdles Run helps us keep expectations realistic. Making an apartment building more sustainable is a years-long process, during which technology, funding, and support must work hand in hand. By learning from other homeowners' associations, we can avoid mistakes and better assess what's needed to make our building future-proof. 📘 Download the book Frank Steenkamp 2024. The long hurdle race . A lesson in sustainability from two Amsterdam homeowners' associations. Published by VvENET Amsterdam /MRA. ISBN 978-90-9039-303-2. 112 pp. This publication was made possible by: Municipality of Amsterdam, Sustainable Future programme Amsterdam Metropolitan Area GasTerug action network Do you have any questions, ideas or would you like to share your experiences? Email us at duurzaamkleiburg1@gmail.com . Together we'll chart a path toward a future-proof Kleiburg.
- How we make things more sustainable together
Summary The sustainability upgrade for Kleiburg phase 1 is being implemented through a step-by-step plan that helps us make decisions together. The advantage of this is that everyone can contribute, but it does take time. Ultimately, the General Members' Meeting (ALV) will decide on the plan's content. Our goal remains the same: a comfortable, energy-efficient, and future-proof apartment building. The process and the path The sustainability of Kleiburg phase 1 is a multi-year process . It consists of two main phases: I. First we make a plan together, II. Then follows the execution. Phase I: making a plan together The plan must answer the questions: Which measures are technically and financially feasible? How can we improve living comfort (fewer draughts, more stable indoor climate)? How do we finance this, and which subsidies or funds can help? What does this mean for the monthly contribution and energy costs? The 6 steps To create a well-founded plan, we follow six steps. These are based on guidelines for homeowners' associations (VvEs), but adapted to the situation in Kleiburg phase 1. Hoofdfase I - de 6 stappen Step 1: Orientation Research and knowledge gathering. Consider studies by Utrecht University of Applied Sciences and Steeds Advies BV, as well as courses/webinars attended by committee members (e.g., from the Dutch government, the Heat Fund, and the Municipality of Amsterdam). Step 2: Share ideas Informing homeowners and residents and identifying preferences. This website plays a central role in this: everyone can access information and indicate their priorities via questionnaires. Step 3: Create a concept plan Residents' input will be incorporated into a draft plan. This plan includes a proposal for a customized recommendation, including several potential sustainability packages. Step 4: Share the concept plan The draft plan will be discussed and shared widely (with both owners and residents of Kleiburg phase 1), so that everyone can respond. Step 5: AGM decision on budget The committee requests the ALV to make a budget available for the tailor-made advice. Step 6: Customized advice and decision The customized advice is presented and the ALV decides which plan will be implemented. Where are we now? We are currently in step 2 : informing owners and residents and gathering their preferences. This website is the primary tool for this. The committee is also developing questionnaires and other resources to gain insight into what residents and owners consider important. Phase II: from plan to implementation After a positive ALV decision, the implementation phase starts. This runs from preliminary design; to final design, including financing and grant applications; to tender; and execution. We will come back with more information on this phase later. Do you have any questions, ideas or would you like to share your experiences? Email us at duurzaamkleiburg1@gmail.com . Together we'll chart a path toward a future-proof Kleiburg.
- Water-side balancing of heating
What is water-side balancing? Every home in Kleiburg has a Ferroli unit. This pumps hot water through radiators and/or underfloor heating loops. Without proper balancing, water flows primarily along the shortest paths: radiators close to the unit or short underfloor loops receive too much heat, while more distant rooms are left without enough. By adjusting the water side – via control valves or thermostatic valves – the flow per radiator or loop is adjusted, so that every room receives exactly the right amount of heat. What does it yield? Proper water-side balancing ensures evenly distributed heat in your apartment. The concrete benefits: More comfort: all rooms are heated evenly, without cold or overheated spots. Lower energy costs: gas consumption decreases by approximately 5–20%; in apartments with radiators the efficiency is higher than with underfloor heating Higher efficiency: colder return water increases the temperature difference, which improves the efficiency of the heat exchanger in the Ferroli unit. Sustainability: less energy consumption means lower CO₂ emissions. Longer equipment life: a balanced system prevents wear and failure. How does it work in your home? Apartments with radiators Each radiator has a supply and return pipe. Radiators close to the Ferroli unit are “throttled” with control valves or thermostatic taps, thus restricting the water flow. Radiators that are further away therefore receive more flow and heat up more evenly. Apartments with underfloor heating Hot water is supplied to several floor loops via a distributor. Short loops (e.g. bathroom) are limited with the control valves. Long loops (e.g. living room) get more water. This way, the entire apartment heats up evenly and efficiently. Costs and payback period for Kleiburg apartments Price level 2025: based on comparable homes: Small Kleiburg apartments: €300–€500 Larger apartments or corner houses: €500–€800 Payback period: usually within about 3–5 years thanks to lower heating costs. Financing through the National Heat Fund Collective water-side balancing is eligible for financing from the National Heat Fund, under the Energy Saving Loan. Subsidy? Water-side balancing is recognized within the SVVE subsidy scheme as a supplementary measure, for which an amount of €150 has been allocated. Who carries this out? This is specialized work because measuring flow and temperature must be done precisely to properly adjust the system. Therefore, it must be carried out by a certified installer. Do you have any questions, ideas or would you like to share your experiences? Email us at duurzaamkleiburg1@gmail.com . Together we'll chart a path toward a future-proof Kleiburg.
- ALV June 25, 2025 | Sustainability | presentation and report
Introduction On June 25, 2025, the ALV (General Members' Meeting) of VvE Kleiburg phase 1 took place again. The Sustainability Committee's report was item 8 on the agenda. Due to time constraints and numerous items, we were not addressed. In this blog post, we would like to share two documents (please know they are in Dutch - see the English summary below): Our presentation The report we wrote for this AGM Summary Why make things more sustainable? Making your home more sustainable means more comfortable and saving money. Better insulation and ventilation ensure a pleasant indoor climate, lower energy costs, and potentially a higher energy rating. This way, we contribute not only to our own quality of life but also to a livable world for the future. Where are we now? In 2024, student teams from Utrecht University of Applied Sciences investigated the state of Kleiburg phase 1. Their reports provided insight into the possibilities and challenges. Later, a supplementary feasibility study was conducted by the consultancy Steeds Advies BV, commissioned by the City of Amsterdam. Valuable reports are now available, forming the basis for further steps. What's coming up? The committee is developing a website with summaries, cost-benefit analyses, and implications for the maintenance plan. A survey is also being prepared to gather residents' ideas and opinions. This way, we will work together to develop a concrete plan that will be discussed at the Annual General Meeting. Join in! The committee is looking for reinforcements. Would you like to contribute your thoughts or help? Email duurzaamkleiburg1@gmail.com . Do you have any questions, ideas or would you like to share your experiences? Email us at duurzaamkleiburg1@gmail.com . Together we'll chart a path toward a future-proof Kleiburg.
- News | Groenhoven takes a big step towards sustainability
Summary In Amsterdam-Zuidoost, the Groenhoven residential complex, with 431 apartments, has approved a comprehensive sustainability plan. At the members’ meeting, 81% of those present voted, of whom 94% were in favor. The plan includes new window frames with HR+++ glass, improved insulation, solar panels, connection to the district heating network, and renewal of installations. This will improve living comfort, reduce energy consumption, and prepare the building for the future. It is important that the monumental character of Groenhoven will be preserved. The decision coincides with the 50th anniversary and shows that existing buildings can also be made future-proof. The City of Amsterdam and the national government are providing financial support, ensuring that sustainability remains affordable for residents. Implementation is scheduled for 2026. Download the whole article here: Why we follow this development? Unlike the Kleiburg flat, the Groenhoven flat is located just outside the official Bijlmer Museum area and therefore does not have the status of a protected cityscape. However , it is a municipal monument . The sustainability process is therefore interesting to follow, as the construction period, architecture, and scale are comparable to the flats within the Bijlmer Museum. The experiences with technology, costs, and resident participation at Groenhoven can thus provide valuable lessons for the sustainability of the protected flats. Do you have any questions, ideas or would you like to share your experiences? Although this is an external news article, email us at duurzaamkleiburg1@gmail.com . Together we'll chart a path toward a future-proof Kleiburg.
- Archive | Heritage of the Week: Kleiburg, from decay to masterpiece
Source: Municipality of Amsterdam, Heritage of the Week: Kleiburg, from decay to masterpiece (2021). Summary The Kleiburg apartment building in the Bijlmer district was slated for demolition in 2011. Ultimately, the building was saved by a renovation, with the apartments being sold as fixer-uppers. Kleiburg has since received international recognition and is officially part of the municipally protected cityscape. Its story demonstrates how heritage, housing, and innovation can coexist. From modern plan to problems The Bijlmer neighborhood was designed in the 1960s as a modern residential area: tall honeycomb apartment buildings with ample greenery and separate traffic flows. Due to budget cuts, key components were removed from the plan. This resulted in a bare neighborhood with few amenities. Kleiburg, built in 1971, was one of the largest apartment buildings. In practice, the neighborhood proved unpopular. Many residents left after a short time. From 1975 onward, vacant homes were allocated to Surinamese families who came to the Netherlands after independence. Drug problems later emerged. The Bijlmer's image deteriorated, and Kleiburg also fell into disrepair. Nearly demolished After the Bijlmer disaster in 1992, the neighborhood was extensively redeveloped. Many apartment buildings made way for low-rise buildings. Around 2011, Kleiburg was the last remaining original honeycomb block of flats remaining untouched. The building was largely vacant, and demolition seemed the only option. Housing association Rochdale decided to attempt a rescue and issued a tender. New life as a DIY flat Consortium DeFlat acquired Kleiburg and opted for a unique approach: the building's exterior was restored, but the apartments were sold as shells as fixer-uppers. Residents could design their own interiors and, if desired, combine multiple units. The ground floor was also opened up by converting storage spaces into work and living spaces. The result was a resounding success. All the apartments sold quickly. The spray-cleaned concrete restored the apartment buildings to their original appearance and created a peaceful atmosphere in the neighborhood. Recognition and heritage The renovation earned Kleiburg considerable praise. In 2017, the apartment building won the Mies van der Rohe Award , the most prestigious European architecture prize, and the Dutch Design Award Habitat . This was the first time the award went to a renovation project. Since 2019, Kleiburg has been part of the Bijlmer Museum , the area designated as a protected municipal cityscape. This makes the apartment building not only a residential area but also an official heritage site of the city of Amsterdam. Meaning for sustainability Kleiburg's history demonstrates that preservation and renewal can go hand in hand. For the current sustainability challenge, this means a strong focus on the building's heritage value. This can present limitations (for example, in facade modifications or material choices), but also opportunities to maintain or enhance the quality and value of the homes. Download the full article here (note: Dutch version only): Do you have any questions, ideas or would you like to share your experiences? Email us at duurzaamkleiburg1@gmail.com . Together we'll chart a path toward a future-proof Kleiburg.
- Archive | Documentary (in dutch): Kleiburg, the last Bijlmerflat
Summary The dutch documentary Kleiburg, the Last Bijlmer Flat by filmmaker Jeroen Visser tells the story of the largest DIY apartment block in the Netherlands. From the threat of demolition to international recognition: the film shows how a derided Bijlmer flat was given new life and grew into heritage and an icon. Why is this relevant for Kleiburg phase 1 For the sustainability plans of our homeowners’ association (VvE), the documentary is valuable. It shows that Kleiburg is not just any apartment block, but a monument with a rich history. When making choices about insulation, ventilation, and energy, we must take heritage and architecture into account, alongside comfort and affordability. Explainer Jeroen Visser shows how, upon completion in the late 1960s, the Bijlmer was hailed as the future of public housing. Tens of thousands of Amsterdammers found spacious, light apartments there, like in Kleiburg: 11 storeys high, 400 metres long. The mood soon shifted, however: the district gained a reputation for being unsafe and inhospitable, and many blocks were demolished. Kleiburg seemed headed for the same fate, but got a new chance in the early 2010s. The block was reopened as a DIY renovation project. In the documentary, former residents, architects and new residents speak, supported by unique archival footage. The result is a layered portrait with an unexpectedly positive ending. The film was screened in 2013 at the Netherlands Film Festival (Utrecht) and the Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam (AFFR). Benefits and limitations Benefit: the film offers a rich picture of Kleiburg ’s social, architectural and cultural value. Limitation: sustainability is not yet addressed. That challenge is ours today: insulation, airtightness, ventilation and energy generation are essential. Costs and finance The documentary itself does not discuss this, but the history shows that collaboration and creativity open new opportunities. The same applies now to sustainability: by combining subsidies, loans and resident initiative, the HOA (VvE) can take steps. What do we still not know? The film ends with the saving and renovation of the block. How we will also make this heritage energy-efficient in the coming years is the question we now face as VvE phase 1. Sources and links Documentary: Kleiburg, the Last Bijlmer Flat (Jeroen Visser, 2013). Municipality of Amsterdam: “Kleiburg, from decline to masterpiece.” Architecture awards: Mies van der Rohe Award (2017). Do you have any questions, ideas or would you like to share your experiences? Email us at duurzaamkleiburg1@gmail.com . Together we'll chart a path toward a future-proof Kleiburg.
- Our flat - protected cityscape Bijlmer Museum
Summary Kleiburg is not only a large residential building but also part of the Bijlmer Museum, a municipally protected cityscape . This means that the cultural-historical value of the apartment building and its surroundings is protected. Exterior modifications, such as facades and window frames, are only permitted if they harmonize with the original character. This may have consequences for the sustainability improvements of phase 1 : some measures require additional consultation and permits. The flat Kleiburg was built in the early 1970s. The name refers to an old farmhouse in the Bijlmermeer neighborhood. In the 1980s, the Bijlmer neighborhood fell into disrepair. After the Bijlmer disaster of 1992, a major renovation of the neighborhood began. Housing association Rochdale wanted to demolish Kleiburg around 2008/2009, but local residents took action. The building was eventually sold to Consortium DeFlat for €1, on the condition that a sound renovation plan be developed. The exterior renovation began in September 2013. The homes were sold as empty shells for fixer-uppers. Phase 1 was completed in February 2014. In 2017, Kleiburg received international recognition: the project won the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Award and a Dutch Design Award . The protected cityscape Since May 2019, the Bijlmer Museum has been designated a protected cityscape by the municipality of Amsterdam. Kleiburg is part of this, along with the Gooioord, Groeneveen, Grubbehoeve, Kikkenstein, and Kruitberg flats. The elevated metro line, the greenery, the water, and the bridges are also part of this designation. The goal is to protect the cohesion and cultural-historical value. For Kleiburg, this means that the appearance cannot simply be altered. Limitations and consequences For Kleiburg phase 1, "protecting cohesion and cultural-historical value" may mean that we sometimes have to work together with phases 2, 3, and 4 on sustainability. Consider this: facades at the front and back; windows and frames; raising the roof for insulation. Permits In most cases, a permit is required for changes visible from the street or public space. Examples include: replacement of windows and frames; roof insulation on the outside; applying facade insulation. The municipality assesses whether changes are compatible with the character of the apartment building and the surrounding area. For advice, the homeowners' association can contact the Sustainable Heritage Desk (in dutch: Loket Duurzaam Erfgoed) of the City of Amsterdam. Next step We will always indicate in the research results whether a measure might be restricted by the "protected cityscape" status. This way, it remains clear what is and isn't permitted. Do you have any questions, ideas or would you like to share your experiences? Email the committee at duurzaamkleiburg1@gmail.com . Together we'll chart a path toward a future-proof Kleiburg!
- Events | Invitation residents & owners – presentation by consultancy firm Steeds Advies BV – feasibility study (16-01-2025)
Dear residents and/or owners of Kleiburg phase 1, Making Kleiburg phase 1 more sustainable is a project that contributes to more living comfort: no more draught or cold thanks to improved insulation and more stable indoor temperatures; lower heating costs and less energy consumption due to better insulation and more efficient ventilation; higher energy label, which increases the value of your home Commissioned by the Sustainable Kleiburg phase 1 committee, 3 student teams of Architecture from Hogeschool Utrecht conducted research into the current state of our building in Kleiburg phase 1 in the first half of this year and investigated the possibilities for making it more sustainable.As a second step, commissioned by the Municipality of Amsterdam and our committee, the consultancy firm Steeds Advies B.V. conducted a feasibility study into the possible sustainability of Kleiburg phase 1. Would you like to know more? Then come to the information evening on Thursday 16 January 2025 from 19:30 to 22:00 in community centre NoLimit, Geldershoofd 80 Steeds Advies BV will then explain the results of its research and answer questions about it. The information is provided in the Dutch language. All residents and owners of Kleiburg phase 1 are welcome! Kind regards, committee Duurzaam Kleiburg phase 1 committee
- (Test) Final advice report Steeds B.V.
Here is the final report Here is the link: download








