Rotterdam, the second largest city in the Netherlands, has a proud reputation for being an innovative, creative and open city. In the field of civic participation, public space adaptation and public sector collaboration, there are a wide range of solutions, models, formulas and experiments.

There is a growing movement among Rotterdam-based designers, architects and planners working together with public sector to keep developing new bold approaches. Engaged experts are aiming to reinvent the relationship between municipality, neighbourhoods and space, and in this way (“learning-by-doing”) define new roles for the public sector.

This panel discussion on the next steps for urban innovation and governmental transition will explore the essence of Rotterdam’s “subtle revolutions” in the fields of urban planning, public space management and civic participation.

Who is joining us on the panel?

• Jose Besselink / Senior Urban Planner, City of Rotterdam
• Jeroen Laven / Placemaking Europe, Rotterdam
• Beitske Boonstra / Academic Researcher, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Dept. of Public Administration and Sociology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam
• Merten Nefs / Programme Leader, Vereniging Deltametropool, Rotterdam

The speakers will give their views on this topic as urban professionals working with the public sector, but also as citizens and innovators. The floor will be then open for dialogue and questions from the audience.

Registration opens 18 October 2020.

Event organisation, curation and hosting: Blok 74 Urban Simulations / Urban Communications, Rotterdam, with panellists from: Veldacademie, City of Rotterdam and local Rotterdam civic organisations.

Recording of the event

A recording of the event can be found on the organiser’s site.