Transition plan climate-neutral infrastructure projects for Rijkswaterstaat
We helped Rijkswaterstaat make their transition plan for civil structures clear and easy to navigate.
The challenge
Rijkswaterstaat wants to be fully circular by 2030: no more CO2 emissions, reusing as few primary raw materials and materials as possible. The focus is on the work areas with the most climate impact. To get there, ‘transition paths’ have been drawn up for the four work areas with the most CO2 emissions.
One of them is the Artworks Transition Path (by works of art we mean bridges, locks, tunnels, viaducts), where a lot is to be gained especially in the production and use of materials, such as concrete and steel. A lot of different parties are involved: co-governments, knowledge institutions and market players. How do you start such a big change with so many stakeholders?
What did the process look like?
The solution: a roadmap showing the most realistic route to 2030
We chose a multi-stakeholder approach: creating change together. Rijkswaterstaat invited everyone to contribute their thinking, and enthusiastic market partners joined in. These frontrunners and leading experts together form an innovation ecosystem. Wonderful, of course, but even when everyone is willing and recognises the urgency, large long-term ambitions can still feel out of reach.
How do you transition to sustainable design, construction and maintenance? For bridges, locks, rail underpasses, tunnels, and roadside infrastructure? With so many different parties involved? A change of this magnitude can easily lead to paralysis or resistance among those involved, because where on earth do you start? What’s needed is clarity and a step-by-step plan.
''This common picture provides a good foundation for the conversation about how we can achieve this future together.''
Shared vision and commitment are essential
A shared vision is the starting point, one embraced by all parties in the chain: clients, market partners, and knowledge institutions. Achieving this requires large-scale input gathering, defining milestones, seeing the bigger picture and its connections, prioritising actions, and securing commitment from everyone involved.
Over several months and multiple sessions, we worked together to develop a shared vision – a clear point on the horizon – and identified the key activities and milestones. By unpacking and organising all components with all stakeholders, clarity emerged. We then placed the goals on a timeline. The roadmap makes it clear and accessible who will do what, and when.
The path toward a circular approach
So what is that shared vision? Most CO₂ emissions are generated during the transport and production of materials. That means the most climate-neutral civil structures are the ones that don’t need to be replaced. They simply need to be well maintained. And when components do need replacing? A futuristic bridge in 2050 will be fully repaired onsite, using standardised components.
Material hubs across the country will store components and produce new ones. A newly built bridge in the near future (say 2030) will also be modular. It all comes down to minimising transport and embracing standardisation – making it possible to reuse components in new infrastructure.
The result: a clear horizon and the roadmap to get there
A long-term goal creates clarity and calm: everyone understands the direction of travel. Once all parties know what the shared horizon looks like (fully climate-neutral by 2030 but what does that actually mean?), the next step is aligning on how to get there together. A long-term ambition must be broken into manageable pieces and realistic milestones, so people can work toward it step by step.
In short, strategic planning is essential when turning a vision into reality. A roadmap provides direction and translates strategy across time. It offers a clear overview of long- and short-term objectives, strategic tasks, milestones, and dependencies – making the path forward simpler, more understandable, and more accessible.
A shared vision gives direction
The visuals aren’t the final product, they are powerful tools that help large groups make sense of a complex topic. Maya Sule, programme manager for civil structures at Rijkswaterstaat, now sees the future vision reflected in presentations from other government organisations, and notes that the trajectory with Flatland has provided valuable guidance.
“Flatland’s compelling visuals were incredibly helpful in developing the roadmap. The shared visual gives us a solid basis for the conversation about how we can reach this future together,” says Maya. The roadmap and the visual “dot on the horizon” create clarity and direction, enabling everyone to take focused action.
Curious how we can help your organisation navigate through transitions?
Let’s explore what’s possible together. Reach out to Michelle.
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