The Netherlands is facing a growing mismatch between its housing, health and care systems: more older adults living independently, rising long‑term care needs, and a shortage of suitable homes and care workers. To address these interconnected challenges, the Dutch College of Government Advisors (CRa) launched the WoonZorgChallenge — a national design competition encouraging municipalities, care organisations and housing corporations to collaborate with interdisciplinary design teams.
Our team worked on a case in The Hague South‑West: a post‑war housing complex for older adults situated in a neighbourhood where social, health and environmental pressures are high. Many residents struggle to leave their homes, and the surrounding area offers limited places for rest, safety and social connection. The task was therefore much broader than renovating a building; it required rethinking the wider environment, local services and the organisational structures that support daily life.
Using a participatory, research‑by‑design approach, we combined site research with co‑design sessions involving residents, care professionals, municipal staff and building owners. This collaborative process led to an integrated strategy that links spatial improvements with social and organisational transitions. It introduces a concept for new community spaces, healthier and safer surroundings, and a more resilient model of shared responsibility between partners.
The project shows how design‑led collaboration can bridge housing and healthcare agendas and open pathways towards more inclusive, future‑proof neighbourhoods. A key learning is the difficulty of moving from participation and co‑creation to genuine co‑realisation. Together with the partners, we are now exploring how this can be advanced — both in this specific context and in similar neighbourhoods across the country.
