NMF Limburg

Help the NMF Limburg strategically address the spatial pressures arising from multiple societal transitions, such as housing, energy, agriculture, and nature restoration, by mapping current and future land-use demands and exploring innovative, collaborative pathways for a sustainable spatial future in Limburg.

The Project

The Project

The Nature and Environment Federation Limburg (NMF Limburg) is a non-profit organization committed to shaping a sustainable and resilient future for the Dutch province of Limburg. Founded in 1971, NMF Limburg works independently and collaboratively with citizens, local governments, and organizations to promote sustainability, protect nature, and strengthen environmental awareness. As the umbrella organization for numerous local nature and environmental groups, NMF Limburg plays a central role in the transition toward a society that balances ecological, economic, and social well-being.

Limburg is currently facing one of its greatest challenges: how to manage limited space amid overlapping societal transitions. The region must simultaneously make room for housing developments, renewable energy infrastructure, nature restoration, transport networks, and agricultural and industrial transformation. These transitions all compete for scarce land, creating a complex spatial puzzle that can lead to conflicts, bottlenecks, and difficult trade-offs—but also offers opportunities for innovative, future-oriented solutions.

In this project, students are invited to support NMF Limburg in mapping and analyzing the competing spatial claims that define Limburg’s future. By exploring both the current situation (“as is”) and more visionary, innovative approaches, the student team will identify where transitions overlap, where synergies can be found, and how creative land-use strategies can align societal needs with environmental goals.

Possible areas of exploration include integrated land-use concepts, modular or circular housing models, multifunctional landscapes, and participatory approaches to regional planning.

Students will also provide strategic advice on how NMF Limburg can position itself as a facilitator and knowledge partner in these spatial transitions—strengthening its influence and collaborative impact with policymakers and regional stakeholders.

The project combines elements of research, spatial analysis, and strategic thinking. It offers students the opportunity to work on a real-world societal challenge at the intersection of sustainability, policy, and design thinking. By the end of the project, the team’s insights and ideas will directly inform NMF Limburg’s advocacy work and future vision for Limburg’s spatial development.

Join this project if you want to contribute to rethinking the future of land use—where living, working, energy, and nature coexist in balance, and where research helps shape the roadmap toward a sustainable Limburg.

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To the client's website

Research-oriented

In this project, the focus is on “discovering something new”

The Client

The Client

NMF Limburg is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainability, nature conservation, and environmental awareness in the Dutch province of Limburg. Working together with citizens, local governments, and businesses, NMF Limburg aims to create a healthy and resilient living environment.

The organization supports local initiatives, provides expert advice on environmental policy, and encourages active participation in the transition toward a sustainable society. Through collaboration and advocacy, NMF Limburg plays a key role in shaping Limburg’s sustainable future.

The NMF Limburg (Nature and Environment Federation Limburg) stands for a healthy and clean environment, a vital and rich nature, a varied landscape and a society that reuses raw materials in Limburg. In this way, we guarantee a good quality of life for present and future generations.

Since our foundation in 1971, we have been doing this independently of any political, philosophical or social convictions. NMF Limburg is the umbrella organisation for affiliated local organisations in the field of nature, the environment and landscape and is affiliated with the national Natuur en Milieufederaties (Nature and Environment Federations).

For more information about our activities in 2026, please read our ‘Jaarprogramma 2026’ (in Dutch only).

Formal Client

This client provides an assignment and perceives the team of students as consultants doing a job for them. The formal client provides guidance and supports the team with feedback, but is not actively involved in project execution.