Prof. dr. ir. Anke van Hal

In parallel, she was also Professor of Sustainable Housing Transformation at the Faculty of Architecture of Delft University of Technology for ten years. She developed a method aimed at increasing enthusiasm for sustainability (the Merger of Interests Perspective) which comprises the bulk of her work. Her main interest is the challenge of (sustainable) transformation of existing housing and neighborhoods. In this context, she initiated the knowledge platform HomeMates. This platform calls attention to 'the third success factor' of energy-friendly renovation processes (besides affordable costs and well-functioning technology). Her recent research also focuses primarily on this 'third success factor'.

Van Hal has spent a lot of time in Canada.  Amongst others, she taught at Ryerson University in Toronto. Inspired by her Canadian experiences, in recent years she has focused her attention specifically on vulnerable neighborhoods with the goal of using the energy transition to natural gas-free neighborhoods as a lever to improve the overall quality of life in such neighborhoods.

In 1989, she graduated from the Department of Architecture at Delft University of Technology. She received her PhD on a thesis titled "Beyond the demonstration project, the diffusion of environmental innovations in housing". She wrote several books and many articles and blogs.

The Merger of Interests perspective, developed in the construction industry, has proven to be widely applicable. Van Hal is therefore a core lecturer for various educational programs aimed at professionals with diverse backgrounds. In her modules she helps them combine sustainability ambitions with a healthy business case.