Students develop sustainable solutions for empty properties in Breda

The project brought together 35 students from the Building Your Own Business minor, who spent three intensive weeks exploring creative and feasible ways to revitalise vacant spaces in Breda. Their challenge was to develop a well-substantiated memo for René de Vos, representative of the Ondernemersfonds, advising on which sustainable business concept would best suit a specific empty property. Each idea had to be both economically viable for at least five years and contribute to a vibrant, attractive city centre.

The students’ proposals showcased an impressive range of creativity and entrepreneurial thinking. Some envisioned social or cultural meeting spots, such as Alone Together – an intimate jazz bar and vinyl café designed to transform loneliness into connection – or Blue Note, a high-end jazz club that could turn Breda’s main shopping street into a lively cultural destination. Others leaned towards community and inclusion, like Mom’s House, an authentic kitchen where local mothers cook homemade meals from their diverse cultural backgrounds, or Player 1 Café, a student-friendly gaming hub combining console and board games with affordable snacks and drinks.

Several teams explored innovative hybrid spaces, such as FlowRoom, a “third place” where people can alternate between work and relaxation through science-backed three-minute VR breaks, or Exhibit Room, a rotating showcase for local artists that bridges the gap between intimidating galleries and casual markets. Meanwhile, Beer Baron reimagined the traditional beer shop into an immersive experience celebrating local craft brewing, and The Charm Café blended creativity and commerce by offering a cozy DIY jewellery studio where visitors can design and assemble their own pieces over coffee.

Each concept reflected a shared ambition: to give new life to unused spaces while fostering community, creativity, and sustainability. Together, the projects demonstrated how entrepreneurship and imagination can help shape a more vibrant and connected urban future for Breda.

The collaboration was made possible through BUas Start-up Support (BUSS), which encourages entrepreneurship within the university. René de Vos officially launched the project on 10 September at an event held in the Grote Kerk.

On Friday 3 October, the students presented their findings, demonstrating a variety of imaginative concepts designed to revitalise the city centre. BUas emphasised the importance of students engaging with real-world challenges in their immediate environment. “We want students not only to learn about entrepreneurship, but also to experience how their ideas can make a societal impact,” a BUas spokesperson stated.

The project has been widely regarded as a success, showing how education and the city can work together to shape Breda’s future.