The Amsterdam InChange team is getting ready for one of the most exciting events of the year! From November 5 until November 7 The Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) will take place - the ultimate gathering for innovators and visionaries from across the globe. Held annually in Barcelona, this event is all about shaping the future of urban life through innovative ideas and collaboration. The Amsterdam InChange team will join the Dutch delegation, hosting inspiring keynotes, interactive workshops, and sessions as we connect with partners and explore new opportunities to build better and more sustainable cities.
In collaboration with partners from the Amsterdam InChange network, including Amsterdam Trade & Innovate (municipality of Amsterdam), the Green Innovation Hub (municipality of Almere), Gemeente Haarlemmermeer (municipality of Haarlemmermeer) Spie, BTG, and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, we are organizing various activities on and around the expo. Find an overview of the programme below and keep an eye on this post for further updates leading up to the event.
Welcome drinks Amsterdam Region (16:30 – 18:00) (invite only) with the Green Innovation Hub, Amsterdam Trade & Innovate and Amsterdam InChange.
Official Dutch kick-off reception (from 18:30) organised by DMI-Ecosystem (only for participants of the Dutch mission).
Informal dinner with Amsterdam InChange and partners (20:30).
Smart City Business Day: 'The Next Step in Smart City Development' (09:00 – 17:00). International program featuring sessions, pitches, workshops, and excursions (only for participants of the Dutch mission).
Smart Ports Excursion to the Port of Barcelona and Roundtable with SPIE.
Next Level/Changemakers International Dinner (20:00 – 22:00). In collaboration with other organizing cities (including the City of Amsterdam), with both national and international attendees.
Smart City World Expo Congress (09:00 – 17:00).
Outgoing visit from the Dutch Pavilion “The Future of Mobility” to EIT Urban Mobility Network (11:00 – 12:00).
Outgoing visit from the Dutch Pavilion about “Digital Twins” to Forum Virium, Helsinki (13:00 – 14:00).
International Peer Review Session on “Zero-Emission Urban Logistics” at the Microsoft booth (14:00-15:30)
Official opening of the Dutch Pavilion by the Ambassador and delegation leaders, followed by a networking reception (from 16:00).
International Impact-Making Dinner organized by the DMI-Ecosystem and Amsterdam InChange (19:00 – 21:00) (invite only - participants of the Dutch mission).
Smart City World Expo Congress (09:00 – 17:00).
Outgoing visit from the Dutch Pavilion about “Net Zero Cities & ATELIER” at the European Commission (11:00 – 12:00).
Keynote: "The Tech Answers Making Cities Go Green" with Leonie van den Beuken, Amsterdam InChange, Congress: Green Room (11:40 – 12:25).
Thematic Roundtable: "Decarbonizing the Future one Building at a Time", with Jorrit Vervoorveldonk, Metabolic, Congress: Tomorrow.Building Room (15:45 - 16:30) (partner event)
Agora Event: Community Energy Sharing in the City for the Energy System of the Future, with Hugo Niesing, Resourcefully, Hall 2, Green Agora (partner event)
Smart City World Expo Congress (09:00 – 17:00)
Thematic Roundtable: “Collectively Moving Cities Forward” with Francien Huizing, Amsterdam InChange, Congress: Green Room (13:55 – 14:40).
Are you also in Barcelona and do you want to join us for any activities? Please contact Sophie at sophie@amsterdaminchange.com. We’re looking forward to meet you there!
In Today’s Changemakers, we talk with pioneers in our network who are all, in their own way, shaping the city and region of the future. Our third guest in this series is Jan van ‘t Hek, project manager and consultant at Metabolic and member of Young on Board at Amsterdam Economic Board. Metabolic is a multidisciplinary organization and one of the leading companies worldwide in the field of the circular economy. Much of their research and work is widely shared, making them agenda-setting, a responsibility that Jan finds motivating.
Jan has been a member of Young on Board for two years because he felt the need to make an impact in the city, in addition to his work. He sought a group of people with diverse backgrounds and fields of work to broaden his perspective. “I also have an interest in political and administrative matters and how we are governed in the Netherlands and the region, and the dynamics at play. Getting a glimpse behind the scenes there is very educational.” Additionally, Jan is an ambassador for the foundation “Luister Eens”, which aims to normalize conversations about mental health issues.
Jan is currently working on various projects that he finds important due to their potential to bring about real change. However, he notes that it is often difficult to see how quickly these changes are happening and what actually comes of their advice at Metabolic. One of the projects he is currently working on is in Baltimore. Here, they are mapping out the major material flows in the city spatially and setting conditions and principles for a waste transfer facility (WTF). The goal of this project is to create local value for communities and reduce the proportion of residual waste.
“There is a very strong community feeling in Baltimore. So we are looking at how we can strengthen this community with a WTF. We map out the major flows and assess their value, and how the local communities can benefit from them. It not only helps to return the value of those raw materials but also creates jobs.” The ultimate goal is to create a plan and a vision for how this facility can be realized. Jan hopes that this project, which is now close to implementation, will actually be carried out, although many governments are still reluctant to take concrete steps.
In addition, Jan is working on a study for Glasgow, where they have mapped out the demand for wood in the built environment, including the origin and sustainability of that wood. Glasgow wants to focus more on timber construction in the coming years, especially for high-rise buildings. The results of this study are being used to establish key guidelines for material selection and design principles for wood in the early stages of a construction development.
The insights Jan and his team gain in other cities are also applied to make an impact in Amsterdam. “At Metabolic, we have a strategic partnership with the City of Amsterdam. This allows us to avoid having to conduct separate research projects each time. We provide both requested advice on current themes and unsolicited advice, sharing insights based on what we see elsewhere with Amsterdam. This gives us the opportunity to put issues on the agenda that would normally not come up, despite the political colors and lengthy processes.”
Jan emphasizes the importance of people from his generation stepping into positions where decisions can be made. “For my generation, it’s quite clear that the current system doesn’t work for us.” This becomes evident in the struggle to find housing and the constant movement from one crisis to another, with no clear outlook for improvement. As a result, a generation has grown up with uncertainty on many fronts. “I think a strength of this generation is that they no longer believe in the idea that everything is manageable. We have to work with what we have, and I think we’re very aware of the scarcity of many resources.”
At the same time, he highlights the importance of intergenerational knowledge exchange, especially in the field of the circular economy. “It’s a hypercomplex challenge. It’s about bringing about large-scale behavioral change. On an individual level, you want to ensure that people feel involved, but at the same time, it’s also crucial that governments and large organizations take the lead. This involves resource use, environmental impact, poor working conditions, and child labor. I don’t think we can hold individuals responsible for this. Some people simply aren’t in a position to choose sustainable options due to socioeconomic circumstances.”
Jan easily recalls a specific moment that marked a turning point in his career: “I was raised with the importance of a sustainable world. Sometime in 2015, I saw the “Tegenlicht” episode about the end of ownership, with Thomas Rau. I was so inspired by that story that I fully immersed myself in the circular economy. That was a clear starting point and something I still refer to.”
Jan finds a good balance between work and private life important, despite the challenges and versatility of his roles at Metabolic and Young on Board. “I generally find it fairly easy to switch between work and private life. But I always try to get enough exercise, and I love cooking—and I have a boat. Being on the water is the easiest way to disconnect. The pace is simply much slower.”
We concluded the interview with the following two questions.
What is your dream scenario for the future of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area?
“I don't have a very clear dream scenario, but I hope that the (inter)national political developments will not affect our region. I hope that the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area can position itself as a progressive region with its eyes on the future and a focus on people and nature. Where value is not only expressed in financial terms but also attributed to nature, community spirit, and (mental) well-being.”
How do you see your role in this scenario?
“I stand firmly for what I believe in, both in my work and in my role at Young on Board. I have also thought about becoming politically active, maybe that will happen later. I don't know if I can bring about the change I want, but I will do my best in both my work and personal life to contribute to a sustainable future. I'll see what roles come with that.”
[for English, scroll down]
Al 15 jaar zetten we als Amsterdam Smart City netwerk innovatie en digitalisering in voor betere straten, buurten en steden. We groeiden uit van het realiseren van energieprojecten, naar aanjagers op het gebied van digitalisering, naar een open innovatieplatform gericht op sociale innovatie. Altijd met de mens centraal. En we blijven groeien en ontwikkelen. Innovatie en digitalisering (lees ‘Smart’) zitten nog steeds in onze kern, maar de aandacht is verschoven naar hoe we de complexe maatschappelijke opgaven samen kunnen aanpakken, hoe iedereen hiervan kan profiteren en hoe we dit duurzaam en toekomstbestendig kunnen doen. En daar past een nieuwe naam bij. Een naam die beter aansluit bij wat we al doen en waar we naartoe onderweg zijn. We nodigen je uit om met ons mee te doen, op weg naar een duurzame toekomst voor iedereen.
InChange staat voor dynamiek, verschuiving en transformatie vanuit creatief denken. Het impliceert dat innovatie niet alleen gaat over nieuwe ideeën, maar ook over betekenisvolle veranderingen die gemeenschappen, bedrijven, individuen en de samenleving beïnvloeden.
‘In’ geeft aan dat innovatie momentum heeft; het is gaande, we zijn aan de slag! Het zegt ook dat het een gezamenlijke inspanning is, we hebben elkaar nodig. Het benadrukt dat elke belanghebbende, van de kleinste start-ups tot de grootste bedrijven, een cruciale rol speelt in deze transformatie.
‘Change’ versterkt het beoogde doel en resultaat van waar we met elkaar aan werken. Het gaat niet om innovatie omwille van innovatie, maar om innovatie gericht op tastbare, betekenisvolle veranderingen. Daarmee staat Amsterdam InChange voor een netwerk dat zich inzet om zichtbare en betekenisvolle verandering teweeg te brengen. En zo samen te leren hoe het anders kan.
Er is de afgelopen tijd veel veranderd: een nieuwe naam, een nieuw logo, nieuwe kleuren en een website die er anders uitziet. We leggen je graag meer uit over dit proces.
Wat betekent dit voor jou? Voor de online community verandert er voorlopig nog niet veel. We hebben een nieuwe website, die we later gaan samenvoegen met ons online Amsterdam Smart City platform. Je behoudt gewoon je account en je kunt het platform blijven gebruiken zoals je dat gewend bent.
Mocht je verdere vragen hebben over onze rebranding en online community, neem gerust contact op met ons team via info@amsterdaminchange.com.
For 15 years, the Amsterdam Smart City network has been using innovation and digitalization to create better streets, neighborhoods, and cities. We grew from realizing energy projects to becoming leaders in digitalization, and now to an open innovation platform focused on social innovation. Always with people at the center. And we continue to grow and develop. Innovation and digitalization (read 'Smart') are still at our core, but the focus has shifted to how we can tackle complex societal challenges together, how everyone can benefit, and how we can do this sustainably and future-proof. This calls for a new name, one that better aligns with what we already do and where we are headed. We invite you to join us on the journey towards a sustainable future for all.
InChange stands for dynamism, shift, and transformation through creative thinking. It implies that innovation is not just about new ideas, but also about meaningful changes that affect communities, businesses, individuals, and society.
‘In’ signifies that innovation has momentum; it is ongoing, we are taking action! It also suggests that it is a collective effort; we need each other. It emphasizes that every stakeholder, from the smallest start-ups to the largest companies, plays a crucial role in this transformation.
‘Change’ reinforces the intended goal and outcome of what we are working on together. It is not about innovation for the sake of innovation, but about innovation aimed at tangible, meaningful changes. Thus, Amsterdam InChange represents a network committed to bringing about visible and meaningful change. And so, together, we learn how things can be done differently.
In the last weeks, a lot has changed: a new name, a new logo, new colors, and a different website. We are pleased to tell you more about this process.
What does this mean for you? For now, the online community remains the way it is. We have a new website, which we will later merge with our online Amsterdam Smart City platform. You will keep your account and can continue to use the platform like your used to.
If you have any further questions about our rebranding and online community, please feel free to contact our team via info@amsterdaminchange.com.
Op 21 november 2024 vindt de tweede editie van Just.City.Amsterdam plaats. Dit jaar richten we ons op een belangrijk thema: rechtvaardigheid in de praktijk brengen. Waar we tijdens de eerste editie verschillende perspectieven op rechtvaardigheid onderzochten, gaan we nu aan de slag met de vraag: Hoe doen we dat?
Vanuit het A Lab in Amsterdam Noord gaan we de wijk in om rechtvaardigheid van dichtbij te ervaren. Samen bezoeken we lokale initiatieven die actief werken aan meer rechtvaardigheid. We kijken naar wat er gebeurt, wat werkt, en wat misschien anders kan. Daarnaast denken we samen na over wat jij zelf kunt bijdragen aan een rechtvaardige stad.
Tijdens Just.City.Amsterdam.2024 ervaar je hoe rechtvaardigheid in de stad wordt toegepast. Sluit je aan bij één van de excursies waarin lokale gemeenschappen hun projecten en uitdagingen delen, en leer meer over hun inzet voor rechtvaardigheid en verandering. Of kies voor een workshop waarin je dieper ingaat op hoe creatieve en praktische methodes bijdragen aan een eerlijker Amsterdam.
Bekijk het aanbod hieronder, meld je aan en doe mee aan het gesprek over een rechtvaardige stad!
- Excursie: Inkijkjes in de Energietransitie - met Tessa Steenkamp
- Workshop: School voor Strijders - met Massih Hutak
- Excursie: Red Amsterdam Noord - met Eva Bollen en Esmee Barel
- Workshop: De maatschappelijke impact van documentaires - met Ester Gould
- Excursie: De Rechtvaardige Stad en Community Wealth Building - met Floris Bremen
- Excursie: Van wie en voor wie is de buurt - Met Bart Stuart
Calling all community engagement specialists shaping the future of our urban spaces! 📢
At Playground City🛝, we believe real impact happens when we build solutions together. The insights we’ve gained from incredible conversations at Placemaking Europe, World Summit AI, and soon at Smart City Expo World Congress are already shaping our roadmap—and now, we’re ready to bring in those who can help take it to the next level.
We’re building an ambassador community for dedicated community engagement professionals to join us in pioneering a platform created for (and with!) the people driving change in our cities.
As an ambassador, you’ll have early access to shape and use Playground City🛝 as it evolves, guiding its development with your insights. We’re also preparing exclusive perks just for you, like discounted pilot projects, early access to new features, and more exciting benefits (yes, also our amazing merch.. 😎).
If you’re a community engagement specialist, urban strategist, or resident leader ready to make an impact, comment “I’m in!” below, and we’ll follow up with details. We can't wait to meet you all!
Passionate about co-creation in urban spaces? Join Playground and make an impact! 🌍
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