Energy Transition of Recreational Homes

How can municipalities effectively facilitate the energy transition of recreational homes? This project develops knowledge, tools, and collaborative approaches to support them in doing so.

Centre of Expertise Mission Zero

recreatiewoning

Recreational homes play an important role in the Dutch energy transition, yet they are often left out of existing policies and subsidy schemes. This project investigates how municipalities, holiday parks, and property owners can work together to accelerate the sustainability transition of recreational homes. The project combines technical, policy-related, and social challenges into one integrated approach.

Project background

Many holiday parks are located in areas affected by grid congestion and have complex ownership structures. Municipalities often lack suitable instruments to effectively support sustainability measures. At the same time, recreational homes differ greatly in building type, usage, and energy performance. As a result, there is currently no practical and scalable approach for the energy transition of recreational homes.

Recreational homes are often excluded from existing sustainability programmes, even though they form an important part of the built environment. With this project, we are developing practical tools that enable municipalities to effectively facilitate the energy transition of recreational homes.

– Baldiri Salcedo Rahola

Objective

To develop knowledge, instruments, and collaborative approaches that enable municipalities to effectively facilitate the sustainability transition of recreational homes.

Target group

The project focuses on municipalities, holiday park operators, recreational home owners, industry associations, and policymakers. Researchers, students, and regional collaboration partners will also benefit from the knowledge and tools developed within the project.

Method

The research combines technical analyses, policy analysis and co-creation. Through fieldwork, interviews, living labs, and workshops, recreational homes will be categorised, sustainability measures will be explored, and collaborative models will be developed and tested in practice.

Results

The project will deliver a typology of recreational homes, technical sustainability guides, a municipal toolbox, opportunity maps for action, models for joint decision-making, and open data sources for knowledge sharing.

Impact

The project helps municipalities and holiday parks make recreational homes future-proof and energy-efficient. In doing so, it contributes to CO₂ reduction, climate goals, and an inclusive energy transition. In addition, the project strengthens practice-oriented education and research by actively involving students and researchers.

More information

The results will be shared through events, publications, and a project website: Energietransitie Recreatiewoningen.
The project aligns with national initiatives related to sustainable recreation and the energy transition.

Duration

2026 – 2028

Funding

SIA Taskforce for Applied Research | RAAK-public

Collaboration

The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Breda University of Applied Sciences, Municipality of Ameland, Municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee, Municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland, Municipality of Texel, Province of South Holland, HISWA-RECRON.

Team THUAS