April 5, 2018
Tool

The Duurzaamheidsmeter Wijken (DZM Wijken, Sustainability Meter for Neighborhoods) is a tool created by the Flemish government to support the planning, design, and implementation of a new sustainable (residential) neighborhood, and measure its sustainability. The tool can be used by the local government or a project developed.
The DZM Wijken helps to objectively assess the sustainability of a neighborhood. In essence it is a collection of criteria and indicators, using an Excel file, supplemented by an extensive guidebook. Based on the guidance, all indicators can be scored, which leads to an overall score for the sustainability of the neighborhood.
The indicators focus on 8 themes: quality control; social sustainability; mobility; physical environment; nature and nature development; water; materials and waste; and energy. 
In addition to the full DZM Wijken, there is also a Quickscan Duurzame Wijken. This quickscan does not provide an explicit score for sustainability, but it provides a quick indication based on a simpler procedure.    
 

Transferability
YES.
Although developed for Flanders, it can also be used in other regions or countries. In addition to translation, some reconsideration of indicators and scoring may be needed (for example in other countries the importance of cycling infrastructure may be scored differently).
Needs Addressed
• insufficient information on training possibilities (art. 17)
• insufficient information on technical tools (art. 17)
• lack of in-house expertise about technical tools (art. 17)
• absence of softwares supporting energy efficiency measures development (art. 17)
• absence of other tools supporting energy efficiency measures development (art. 17)
• absence of support organizations in your territory addressing energy efficiency matters (art. 17)
• support organizations have insufficient competency and knowledge (art. 17)
Validation/testing information
Nancy Matthys (nancy.matthys@dar.vlaanderen.be)