Facility Management
Society faces major challenges in the areas of sustainability, inclusion, and vitality. These challenges converge in the way we design and use our buildings, workplaces, and support services. Facility management plays a key role in this: it is precisely in day-to-day FM practice that strategic ambitions are translated into concrete choices regarding accommodation, services, and usage.
The Lectoraat Facility Management therefore focuses on practice-oriented research into sustainable working and living environments and inclusive, vital communities. Based on the conviction that facility managers increasingly act as connecting professionals and agents of change, the research group develops knowledge and practical tools that help organizations to truly realize their societal ambitions. In doing so, the research group makes a concrete contribution to future-proof organizations, meaningful education, and social impact in the region and beyond.
About the lector
Wendy Broers has been Lector of Facility Management since 1 September 2025. She leads practice-based research that strengthens innovation and societal impact within the facilities management domain. She has been affiliated with Zuyd University of Applied Sciences since 2007 as a lecturer-researcher and has been involved in a wide range of national and international research and innovation projects, including European and cross-border collaborations in the fields of sustainability and the built environment.
In 2023, she received her PhD by Maastricht University for her dissertation Are energy decisions about energy? A study of homeowners’ decision-making processes in the transition to low-carbon housing in the Netherlands. Her expertise lies in sustainable transition processes, sustainable urban development, participation methods, sustainable real estate, and the social impact of the energy transition. Through a systemic, people-centred approach, she connects research, education, and professional practice.
Contact: wendy.broers@zuyd.nl
PhD thesis: Are energy decisions about energy? A study of homeowners’ decision-making processes in the transition to low-carbon housing in the Netherlands - Maastricht University
More about Facility Management
Research team
- Gerrie Bours
- Jacqueline Creuwels
- Kees Gelderman
- Eric Hamers
- Katinka Pani-Harreman
Publications and product
2021-2025
Pani-Harreman, K. E., Bours, G., Van Duren, J. M. A., & Zwakhalen, S. (2025). The development of a method to activate vital communities’ facilitation of older people ageing in place: A community-based participatory research study (Preprint). Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7046695/v1
Pani-Harreman, K. E., Bours, G. J. J. W., Bleijlevens, M. H. M. C., Van Duren, J. M. A., & Zwakhalen, S. M. G. (2025). Towards consensus according to experts on the theorised contribution of vital communities to successful ageing in place: A modified Delphi study. Ageing International. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-024-09574-7
Creuwels, J. E. M. D., & Hamers, E. P. M. (2025). Werken aan Biest en Groenewoud 2030: Wijkanalyse (leefbaarheid) Biest en Groenewoud in de gemeente Weert (Onderzoeksrapport). Zuyd Hogeschool, Lectoraat Facility Management, in opdracht van Gemeente Weert (City Deal Kennis Maken – Limburg UniverCity).
Pani-Harreman, K. E. (2024). The place to be: Guiding the activation of a community to facilitate ageing in place (Doctoral dissertation). Maastricht University. https://cris.maastrichtuniversity.nl
Creuwels, J. E. M. D., & Hamers, E. P. M. (2024, februari). Eerder denken over later bij herbestemmen vastgoed. Facto E-zine.
De Vree, P. R. T. (2023, december). De “road” naar waardegedreven inkoop met de 10R’s. Zuyd Hogeschool. Bekijk het artikel, de roadmap of gedetailleerde roadmap
Pani-Harreman, K. E., van Duren, J. M., Kempen, G. I., & Bours, G. J. (2022). The conceptualisation of vital communities related to ageing in place: a scoping review. European Journal of Ageing, 19(1), 49-62.
Creuwels, J. E. M. D. (2022, 22 maart). A workplace to be… hoe dan? Facto E-zine.
Pani-Harreman, K. E., Bours, G. J., Zander, I., Kempen, G. I., & van Duren, J. M. (2021). Definitions, key themes and aspects of ‘ageing in place’: a scoping review. Ageing & Society, 41(9), 2026-2059.