B-Kode

About

Our mission is to provide the data-driven building blocks, analytics and support,
to service a better, more sustainable climate-proof future.

B-Kode is adept in integrating technological advancements that are scientifically sound and that foster urban environmental resilience. Its diverse portfolio encompasses projects that delve into high-resolution urban modelling, intricate analysis of Earth Observation data, and the application of AI-driven analytics to effectively tackle challenges related to urban environmental risks and integrated adaptation and mitigation strategies. Engaging in active collaborations with global partners and remote professionals, B-Kode is committed to establishing a worldwide collective of enthusiasts dedicated to urban environmental analytics, aiming to provide the building blocks for a better future.

Environmental data

Processing earth observation products and (non)traditional data sources to measure and monitor our environment.

Analytics

Data analytics and in-house model developments combined with expert knowledge to find the best solution.

Climate services

Assisting with climate-change challenges and opportunities, decision making, planning and adaptation strategies.

B leader

As a B Leader we support the B Corp network and sustainable companies in applying for a B Corp certification.

Realisations

Urban heat expert @ The World Bank

Acting as a knowledge partner for World Bank team leaders in urban development and other World Bank Global Practices. Supporting the extreme heat team at GFDRR to help deliver high-quality studies, modeling exercises, data collection efforts, workshops, and other technical support offerings to their clients.

People-centric technologies for climate resilience

The "Minority Report" project aims to address cities' vulnerabilities compounded by climate change, increasing urban populations, and outdated building infrastructures, by developing a people-centric technology platform that integrates advanced predictive technologies, risk assessment models, and innovative building solutions.

Climate Resilient Development Pathways in EU Metro regions

CARMINE will provide multi-scale impact-based decision support services and multi-level climate governance supporting local adaptation, including both traditional and Nature-Based Solutions. B-Kode is contributing to the integration of multi-scale climate physical risk assessment models and providing nature-based solutions guidance.

Urban heat resilience in Bangkok

Integrating innovative climate modeling to identify effective nature-based solutions to combat urban heat stress, and promoting sustainable climate adaptation strategies in vulnerable communities. This work is done under the "Urban Heat Resilience: Bridging Science, Policy, and Sustainable Design" project, in partnership with APDC, Alluvium, TEI, and RMIT Vietnam, and is funded by SEI's Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Network

The Urban Green and Liveability Tracker

Together with WEO, we are developing a market-ready Urban Green and Liveability Tracker, a service designed to enhance urban sustainability and liveability through advanced Earth Observation data and AI-driven analytics. This work is supported ESA's Space Solutions - demonstration study program.

Rainwater from company to neighborhood

Striving for rainwater neutrality by removing 600m² of pavement, harvesting rainwater from an adjacent roof (3500m²) in an 120m³ underground rainwater tank, and maximising re-use by Cohousing Bijgaardehof and Baertsoen Buysse. Excess water can infiltrate via two wadis. Supported by the Flemish environment agency, and executed as a partnership between GMF, Cohousing Bijgaardehof, and Siklos Invest.

Health cost impacts of Australian urban heat amelioration

A program lead by Marsden Jacob Associates and supported by the Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment to model, analyse and report on health costs avoided or reduced by amelioration of urban heat effects through the application of integrated water management (IWM) strategies. B-Kode is forming a strategic partnership with Dr. Nice, Dr. Coutts and Dr. Tapper to model the urban heat and IWM scenarios.

Terrain-AI: data-driven climate change decision-making

A data platform to integrate, analyse and visualise big earth observation data, to increase our understanding of Ireland's land management practices in carbon emissions, leading to sustainable management pathways in accord with environmental and regulatory constraints. Funded by Microsoft and the Irish Science Foundation, in collaboration with UCD's Prof. Gerald Mills (IAUC's 2021 Luke Howard award winner).

Urban green space: quality and impact tracker

Together with WEO and RSS-Hydro, we are exploring the development of a space-based green space quality and impact tracker to provide data to support evidence-based management of green spaces, the optimization of green space maintenance spending and the measurement of their impact on the surrounding environment. This work is supported ESA's feasibility study program.

Antwerpen voor klimaat: klimaatplan2030

Developing the Climate Adaptation Plan 2030 for the city of Antwerp, in collaboration with Antea, Endeavour and Overmorgen. A co-creation and participation process resulting in objectives and tangible measures to make the Antwerp of tomorrow a climate-safe and liveable city.

Cloud to Street: global flood mapping

Contributing to Cloud to Street's flood monitoring by developing a precipitation retrieval procedure, delivering near-real time an historical precipitation information. Tasked by the World Food Program to make a flood risk assessment of refugee camps along the Congo river.

Aircheckr: global air quality evaluation

Examination of the global surface air quality predictions provided by NASA's GEOS Composition Forecasting model. The benchmark was performed against open-AQ data, and Aircheckr's current custom-made air quality forecast for Belgium and Europe. Performed as part of an ESA demonstration project.

CANUE: local climate zone mapping

Local Climate Zones are mapped using open-source satellite information and reflect urban form and functions. This multi-temporal mapping effort is done for the Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium, that targets risk assessment of e.g. heat, air quality, and urban flooding.

Guest speaker and invited expert

Feel free to reach out for a keynote that explains the relationship between cities and climate (change), and that highlight do's and don'ts of urban adaptation and mitigation strategies. Some policy support activities include Leuven 2030, MIRA climate report 2015, and Nature explorer 2050: Inspiration for the nature of the future.

B corp: B Leader workshop

B Leaders is a training programme, designed by B Lab, to empower people who want to lead organisations through the B Corp certification and work with businesses to measure what matters. As a B Leader, Susanne can assist sustainable companies in applying for a B Corp certification.

Who are we?

Global affiliate

Urban systems & Software engineering

Nigel Tapper (Em. Prof.)

Global affiliate

Urban climate, adaptation & heat-health interaction

Andrew Coutts (PhD)

Global affiliate

Water sensitive design & climate policy

B-Kode continues to grow its collaborative relationships and partnerships to enhance its offerings, expand its reach, and provide additional value to its clients.