Housing Hackathon: Shape the future of housing in Wageningen!
Wageningen is facing increasing housing demands. As a current pressing global challenge, ensuring sufficient housing is becoming increasingly complex. Factors such as limited land availability, growing income inequality, environmental pressures on new developments, real estate speculation, and the continuous rise of residents are all contributing to this difficulty.
As students, you’re feeling the impact. Affordable housing is becoming harder to find, and for those hoping to stay in Wageningen after graduation, securing accommodation remains a challenge. With the city’s population growing steadily, we must find sustainable, inclusive, and innovative ways to ensure housing remains accessible to everyone, from students to families to professionals.
The challenge
The municipality of Wageningen, in collaboration with local stakeholders, wants to provide 3000 housing units by 2030, making sure that they are accessible and affordable to all Wageningen citizens. They’re looking for creative thinkers and problem-solvers with all kinds of expertise to generate out-of-the-box ideas on how the city can achieve its goal. Whether it’s smart urban planning, innovative housing models, new housing policies, alternative investment strategies, new ways to engage the community – we're open to any approach!
If you're a student or a recent graduate and you're passionate about the topic, we're looking for you: your ideas can determine the future of housing in Wageningen!
The hackathon
For one day, you will be part of an interdisciplinary team of students working on a real assignment from the municipality of Wageningen. You will be competing with other teams to find the most inspiring solution to this local challenge; and you will be guided in the process of developing your idea, supported by policymakers and other professionals in the sector. Of course, you won’t have to worry about food: pizza will be provided!
This Hackathon is part of the event Gelderse Woonmaand (https://www.twynstragudde.nl/woonmaand) by the province of Gelderland, an event aimed at promoting affordable and flexible housing options. The Woonmaand takes place from 17 October to 13 November, 2025, in Wageningen.
What's in it for me?
- Make a real impact: Your ideas could influence real policies and projects in Wageningen.
- Expand your network: Collaborate with policymakers, housing experts, and like-minded people.
- Sharpen your skills: Gain hands-on experience in problem-solving, navigating complex challenges, and finding integrative solutions.
- Win a prize: €500 for the winning team!