On June 4–5, 2025, stakeholders from the MultiRoofs project gathered in Rotterdam for the Co-Creation Workshops, a two-day event dedicated to aligning efforts and planning the next steps in delivering the MultiRoofs solution. The project aims to develop a digital tool that helps cities turn underused rooftops into valuable spaces for climate action, community use, and sustainable urban development.
Defining Functions, Users, and Purpose
The workshops marked the transition from strategic vision to concrete design. Building on the project’s kick-off in March, participants explored what the MultiRoofs tool should do, how it should work, and who it should serve. Frameworks like Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle and the Lemniscate model guided discussions about the project’s purpose and target impact.
Structured Sessions for Technical and Social Insights
The event featured three key tracks:
- Design Studios: Case studies from Rotterdam, Dublin, Mechelen, and Paris allowed participants to co-create rooftop scenarios from various stakeholder perspectives.
- Data Workshops: Technical sessions proposed a layered, open IT architecture, with features such as rooftop mapping, gamified interfaces, and open APIs.
- Stakeholder Mapping: This session clarified roles across the project lifecycle—from development to deployment—with a focus on local adaptation and collaboration.
Tool Boundaries and Shared Language
Participants agreed the tool should support engagement and decision-making through visual simulations, clear outputs, and intuitive interfaces. It should not replace in-person facilitation or create false expectations. A common taxonomy of rooftop uses and urban challenges was also developed, allowing local flexibility while maintaining shared definitions.
Looking Ahead
The workshops concluded with a roadmap for the second half of 2025:
- Data Sprint – to gather and structure datasets,
- Definition Sprint – to finalize stakeholder roles and rooftop types,
- Strategy Sprint – to prepare pilot projects in partner cities.
Supporting Inclusive Rooftop Transformation
The MultiRoofs tool aims to be more than a platform—it is a process to help cities make informed, inclusive, and practical decisions about rooftop use. With a common direction emerging, the project is now entering a new phase of development and collaboration.