A look back at 2022

As I'm busy with the question of what we're going to conjure up during the holidays this year, it occurs to me that I'm constantly thinking ahead. I think about Christmas dinner, about what awaits us as a country and as people in the new year, and how we as Innovattic can respond as best as possible to all laws and regulations that will apply in the urban environment from 2030. And as I think ahead, I realise that I haven’t even thought about everything that happened last year. Which is a lot! It seems appropriate at this moment to look back at 2022 and show the positive impact our customers have achieved.

The first example relates to something that concerns me every day: the war between Russia and Ukraine. Because, while I’m thinking about the future, Russians and Ukrainians are happy if there is a tomorrow at all. Many Ukrainians had to leave their homes in a hurry and sought a safe place in the Netherlands, among others. Many refugees need medical help. But just imagine trying to arrange that if you as a doctor do not know what the medical background is, and you cannot communicate with each other in the same language. That’s why the municipality of Tilburg and PrimaCura have joined forces to organise medical care for the estimated 1,000 Ukrainian refugees in Tilburg in a different way. Since August, a pilot with the Medicoo app from Medicinfo has been running there, with the aim of relieving the care providers who provide day-to-day aid from the reception in the former GGD building in Tilburg. Refugees can use the app to ask all their healthcare questions in their own language. Every care question is personally answered by the medical team of Medicinfo. The automatic translation allows both the patient and the healthcare provider to communicate in their own language in the app. Based on this pilot, Medicinfo anticipates a 50% reduction in the number of practice visits. What a great example of the positive impact of digitisation on people's health. Thanks, Medicinfo!

I would also like to take a moment to think about the urban environment. Did you know, for example, that buildings are responsible for 36% of European CO2 emissions, even though we spend 90% of our time indoors? Therefore, if we can make a positive impact on the environment anywhere, it is in the built environment. Soon, this will no longer be a choice, because in 2030 a government mandate comes into effect that requires construction companies to build 50% of every building in a sustainable way. In 2050 this will increase to 100%. In addition, an office building will only be permitted to consume 70 kWh of energy per m2 per year in 2050, according to Paris Proof. Quite a challenge, but with the right techniques and mindset, it’s certainly possible. That right mindset starts with building users increasing their awareness. The TROEF consortium, which includes BAM, understands this all too well. They want building users to be much more aware of their energy consumption. Energy is not unlimited, and we shouldn’t pretend otherwise. BAM uses dashboards to provide insight into the energy consumption in buildings and thus creates a positive change in behaviour among building users. Soon we’ll have a world in which no-one charges their car when they arrive at work in the morning, but instead waits until the sun’s shining brightly in the sky. Good job, BAM & TRUMP!

I look forward to the new year, in which we as Innovattic can hopefully contribute to a healthier and smarter world together with you. Only together can we change the world. I wish you happy holidays and a very healthy 2023.

On behalf of the Innovattic team,

Lauwers Metz