Technology and sustainability come together in the De-Cist project. But how do you ensure that residents and policy makers really benefit from new solutions? Isis van Rooy, sociologist at De-Cist, investigates how people interact with the energy transition and how data can be made more understandable. We spoke to her about her role, the power of transdisciplinary collaboration and the impact of the project.

From sociologist to sustainability expert
Can you tell us a little about yourself? How did you end up at De-Cist?
I am a sociologist and specialize in focus groups and research on vulnerable groups. When I started at De-Cist, I didn’t know anything about AI or technology, but I didn’t need to. My role is to research what residents and other stakeholders need. You can develop a great technical solution, but if people don’t understand or trust it, it won’t be used. That’s why I do a lot of interviews in neighborhoods and analyze how people deal with sustainability and energy poverty.This project appealed to me because it has an immediate impact. My sister saw the job posting and said, “This really suits you.” And she was right. I am now responsible for the social side of the research and work with scientists from different disciplines.

What is De-Cist? What exactly is the project about?
We are developing a tool that calculates which energy measures are most beneficial for homes in Rotterdam. Not only do we look at energy consumption and costs, but also at social factors, such as the cohesion in a neighborhood. The goal is to help residents and policymakers make better choices.
Currently, people have to figure out for themselves what measures they can take, but the amount of information is overwhelming. This tool filters the relevant data and makes sustainability more accessible.

Why is this project needed?

What problems are you solving with this?
Many people want to become more sustainable, but don’t know where to start. There are so many options: insulation, solar panels, heat pumps … and then you have subsidies, costs and payback periods. This is almost impossible for an individual to oversee. In addition, energy poverty plays a big role. Some households have so little budget that they simply turn off the heating in winter. They are then not officially registered as “energy poor,” but still live in uncomfortable conditions. The tool helps to see at the neighborhood level which measures really make an impact.

How does the tool work?

What exactly does the tool do and who can use it?
The tool analyzes data on homes, neighborhoods and social conditions and calculates which energy measures are most effective. These can include insulation, energy-efficient appliances or collective solutions. The tool also provides knowledge equality. At the moment, not everyone has the same information, which prevents a good response to the energy transition. The tool helps narrow that gap by making reliable and understandable information accessible to everyone.
Originally the idea was to make an app for residents, but we are now focusing mainly on the municipality. They can use the tool to make better policies and provide neighborhood-oriented solutions. Eventually, it could also become accessible to housing associations and individuals.

The power of collaboration

The project is carried out by several institutions. How do you work together?
De-Cist is a collaboration between Erasmus University Rotterdam, TU Delft, the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) and the Municipality of Rotterdam. This is a transdisciplinary project, supported in part by Resilient Delta initiative. Through this collaboration, we combine engineering, social science and urban development. This ensures that the tool is not only smart, but also connects to the needs of residents and policy makers.

Comments from residents

You are testing the tool in Rotterdam. How do residents respond?
We are conducting pilots in Kralingse Veer and Schiebroek. What we notice in focus groups is that many people are skeptical about AI. There is a kind of “AI-anxiety,” partly due to negative experiences with algorithms in government, such as the benefits affair.
But when we explain how this tool works and how it actually helps them, people become more enthusiastic. They like the fact that the tool filters complicated information and makes it clear. So they can make better decisions without spending hours doing research.

What happens after delivery?

When will the tool be launched and what happens after that?
The plan is to be ready in the summer of 2025. After that, the City of Rotterdam will take over and they will look at how to implement it. We remain available as researchers for advice, but we remain independent. This is important to maintain objective results.
We also organize reflection focus groups. Once the tool is concrete, we have the residents we talked to earlier look at the system again and give feedback. That way we know if it really fits their needs.

Lessons and future vision

What have you yourself learned from this collaboration?
A lot! Especially how valuable it is to look outside your own field. I learned how climate models work and how technological innovations come about. And vice versa, technicians have learned how important social factors are when developing technology.

What do you hope will eventually happen with this project?
My biggest wish is that this tool is used not only in Rotterdam, but also in other cities. Energy poverty is a growing problem, and with this AI tool we can help reduce it. I hope this will help us achieve a fairer energy transition, where everyone has access to clear and useful information.

In conclusion

Do you have any tips for other researchers working in a transdisciplinary team?
Really get to know each other! Not only professionally, but also personally. Have dinner together, talk about each other’s fields. The better you understand each other’s language, the smoother the collaboration goes. In the beginning, sociologists and engineers really speak a different “language,” but when you understand each other better, you can come up with innovative solutions together.