Dorien Aerts

At VITO, Dorien Aerts spearheads the transformation of urban spaces through the groundbreaking European oPEN Lab project, which has evolved from a conceptual vision in 2020 to a functioning reality in multiple European locations. Her research reveals the critical importance of combining digital solutions with community co-creation processes to develop sustainability initiatives that communities genuinely embrace and implement. Through parallel projects in Belgium, Spain, and Estonia, she demonstrates how resilient neighbourhoods emerge when technical excellence meets thoughtful social integration. At Love Tomorrow Summit, Aerts will share the journey of building innovative energy-positive districts, revealing both the challenges overcome and the practical frameworks developed for creating urban environments that enhance both planetary and human wellbeing.