Mobility

In Almere en de provincie Flevoland vinden de grootste gebiedsontwikkelingen van Nederland plaats zoals Hortus, Pampus, Zuidoever. Om echt toekomstgericht te kunnen bouwen en als voorbeeld te dienen voor de rest van Nederland, organiseren zij de Green Innovation Hub contest ’24. In deze competitie worden organisaties uitgedaagd om met digitaal gedreven toepassingen te komen op het gebied van duurzame energie, mobiliteit of slim wonen.

Ben jij een start-up, scale-up of een innovatief kleinbedrijf (MKB), en heb jij een digitaal gedreven toepassing op het gebied van duurzame energie, mobiliteit of slim wonen? Is jouw oplossing klaar om verder te groeien, te versnellen en op te schalen? Een oplossing waarmee jij echt impact kan maken? Doe dan mee met de Green Innovation Hub Contest ’24.

Op 6 maart wordt op basis van de ingezonden video-pitches een selectie gemaakt van de tien bedrijven die worden uitgenodigd voor het Green Innovation Hub Café. Op woensdag 17 april vindt de Contest Day plaats, tevens de officiële opening van de GIH 3.0 op de 9e verdieping. Tijdens dit evenement zullen de 10 deelnemers hun pitch presenteren, met een maximale duur van 4 minuten. Na de pitches krijgt de jury de gelegenheid om vragen te stellen. De winnaar wordt door experts verder geholpen en begeleid.

Check de website link voor meer informatie!

Er zijn zoveel smartcity-onderzoeken dat je soms de bomen door het bos niet meer ziet. En daarom brengen we op 23 mei 2024 in Utrecht alle bomen bij elkaar. Wil je weten welke innovatieve smartcity-onderzoeken er zijn die bijdragen aan een leefbare en slimme en sociale stad? Dan mag je de Slimme Stad Parade op 23 mei in het provinciehuis van Utrecht niet missen!

Tijdens dit unieke evenement krijg je de kans om kennis te maken met alle smartcity-onderzoeken in Nederland en Vlaanderen. Ontdek welke slimme wetenschappelijke onderzoeken er zijn voor het sociaal domein en hoe we de verstedelijkingsopgaven van de toekomst kunnen oppakken. En leer wat digitalisering en technologisering betekent voor de maatschappelijke opgaven van vandaag.
Dus, wil je weten welke smartcity-onderzoeken er zijn die bijdragen aan een betere wereld? Wil je het hele bos kunnen overzien? Kom dan naar de Slimme Stad Parade op 23 mei in het provinciehuis van Utrecht en laat je inspireren!

Datum: 23 mei 2024, 10.00 – 17.00 uur (inloop 10.00- 11.00 uur).
Locatie: Provinciehuis Utrecht
Kosten: Deelname aan de Slimme Stad parade is gratis

Meld je hieronder aan:

Reinventing the City Conference, April 23-25, 2024, Amsterdam. The ticket sale has started! Purchase your ticket and be part of this amazing event!

Join us for the Reinventing the City conference, where we will explore sustainable urban transformations on a metropolitan scale. Scientists, policymakers, students, and industry partners will come together to share insights, inspire action, and shape the future of our cities.

Purchase your ticket here

About the conference
The AMS Scientific Conference (AMS Conference) explores and discusses how cities can transform themselves to become more livable, resilient and sustainable while offering economic stability. Cities are innovation hubs, where an increasing number of people live, work, recreate, interact, and care. The urban fabric is where major transitions take place, catalyzing advancements in mobility, circularity, renewable energy, climate adaptation, urban food systems and digitization. Precisely for these reasons, our cities set the agenda for improving the livability and sustainability of our world.

Cultivating transformation
To foster improved urban environments, we need scientific and societal insights into our complex urban systems, into how natural and social processes are interconnected and reach tipping points, into the good, the bad and the ugly of our cities. We need amazing discoveries, technical and social innovations to transform the ugly, leave the bad behind and reach for the good. And most of all, we need to make the city together, because WE are the city.

Theme of this year

In this second edition of “Reinventing the City”, the overarching theme will be ‘Blueprints for messy cities? Navigating the interplay of order and complexity'. In three captivating days, we will explore ‘The good, the bad, and the ugly’ (day 1), ‘Amazing discoveries’ (day 2) and ‘We are the city’ (day 3).

Day 1: 'The good, the bad, and the ugly'
The first day of the AMS Conference primarily focuses on the messiness: the various aspects of urban development and innovation. "The good" refers to success stories and positive developments in cities. "The bad" relates to challenges and issues that cities face, and "the ugly" pertains to less attractive aspects of urban development. This theme explores how cities, both in terms of space and users, evolve in both positive and negative ways.
Day 2: 'Amazing discoveries'
The second day of the conference concentrates on pioneering research and innovations, both technical and social, in the field of urban renewal and sustainability. Here, we ask participants to present and discuss new and exciting discoveries that have a positive impact on urban areas. We focus on areas such as mobility, food, circularity, energy, climate resilience, and smart data.
Day 3: 'WE are the city'
This theme emphasizes that the people living and working in cities play an essential role in urban renewal and development. This can involve community engagement, citizen participation, public-private partnerships, and the importance of involving all stakeholders in the city. Only together can we create livable and inclusive cities.

Topics
mobility | circularity | energy transition | climate adaptation | urban food systems | digitization | diversity | inclusion | living labs | transdisciplinary research

Registration Options

• Full Conference Access: Immerse yourself in the entire event, spanning three captivating days, each dedicated to a distinct theme:
  • Day 1: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
  • Day 2: Amazing Discoveries
  • Day 3: We Are the City
• Single-Day Access: If your schedule is tight, you can opt for a single-day pass to attend the day that interests you the most.
• Student Access: To encourage student participation in our conference, we offer exclusive student rates. Universities often provide funding opportunities to support students in attending conferences like ours. We encourage students to explore the available funds and grants at their respective universities. It's a great way to help offset the costs of your participation. Please note that student passes are available to currently enrolled students with valid student IDs.

Conference Fees

• Full Conference Pass: €650,-
• Single-Day Pass: €150,-
• Student Full Conference pass: €200,-

Wat is de impact van (platform)technologie op de overheid van de toekomst en haar rol in de (door o.a. technologie) veranderende samenleving? Wil jij de toekomst tastbaar en beeldend maken en meedoen met een groeiende beweging van jonge (t/m 35 jaar) visionairen, denkers en doeners?
Doe dan mee aan de toekomstverkenning publieke platformen georganiseerd door FUTUR en Provincie Zuid-Holland en ondersteund door Scape Agency.

Vanuit verschillende thematische invalshoeken gaan we hiermee aan de slag in groepen van ongeveer 10 jonge professionals vanuit verschillende organisaties (Publiek, privaat en kennis). Een beschrijving van de eerste thema’s vind je hieronder:

Thema's
- Circulair 2050 - De ambitie om in 2050 niet alleen klimaatneutraal, maar ook nog eens onze economie 100% circulair in te richten, vergt een omslag in denken en doen. Hoe buigen we lineaire ketens rond? Waar beginnen we? En cruciaal: welke rol speelt het publieke platform in deze transitie?
- Zicht op maatschappelijke vraagstukken met data – Data is onmisbaar voor het oplossen van maatschappelijke vraagstukken. Hoe zetten we data verantwoord in voor het benutten van deze kansen?
-Digitale Waterschappen – Bestuurt AI in 2050 het waterbeheer, of wordt water juist lokaal beheert?
-Ambtenaar van de toekomst – Als steeds meer taken worden overgenomen door (platform)technologie, wat is dan de rol van de ambtenaar van de toekomst en welke vaardigheden worden gevraagd?
- Participatie – hoe kan de overheid betrokkenheid van inwoners, bedrijven en maatschappelijke organisaties vormgeven bij beleid en besluitvorming?
- Uitvoering van de toekomst – De meeste publieke dienstverleners leveren een stand van de uitvoering aan. Hoe moet de uitvoering en publieke dienstverlening van de toekomst worden vormgegeven?
- Online leefwereld van jongeren – Welke publieke waarden moeten vooropstaan op social media, hoe ziet een dergelijk platform eruit en welke digitale vaardigheden van jongeren zijn cruciaal?
- Tomorrows Governance – hoe verandert de rol, organisatie en wijze van samenwerken van de overheid?
- Mobiliteit en Brede Welvaart - Wat is de impact van (platform)technologie op de bijdrage van mobiliteit aan de brede welvaart van mensen door de bereikbaarheid van banen, voorzieningen en sociale contacten in de stad, en de regio?
- Sociaal Domein – Hoe kan platformtechnologie bijdragen aan de complexe problemen in het sociaal domein? Hoe ga je toe naar een overheid die er voor de inwoner is, in plaats van de inwoner van het kastje naar de muur stuurt.
- Ethiek

Zijn een van die thema's iets voor jou? Meld je dan aan via: https://kennislab.typeform.com/to/MRNbvgIl

Wat betekent meedoen?
- Je sluit je aan bij een themagroep. En doet mee in de voorbereiding, dus het verzamelen van voorbeeldcases uit eigen werk, rapporten, studies, literatuur, films enz.
- Je doet op 13 februari mee met de visiedag (09:00 - 13:00), en bij voorkeur ook de aansluitende verbeeldingsdialoog in het Provinciehuis van de Provincie Zuid-Holland in den haag. Op deze dag werken de themagroepen met ondersteuning van ontwerpers en kunstenaars hun toekomstbeeld uit.
Je bent in maart beschikbaar voor 1 digitale of fysieke sessie voor de verdere uitwerking van het toekomstbeeld.
- Je bent op 4 april aanwezig (vermoedelijk enkel de middag) bij het slotevent ‘publieke platformen’ georganiseerd door de provincie Zuid-Holland in het provinciehuis. Op 4 april ‘exposeren’ de groepen hun toekomstbeeld aan een breder publiek, en wordt er op verschillende manier een dialoog georganiseerd tussen bezoekers, experts en bestuurders.
- Je vergroot je netwerk, je doet inspiratie op voor de vraagstukken waar jij dagelijks mee bezig bent en je hebt vooral plezier.

Wat is de impact van (platform)technologie op de overheid van de toekomst en haar rol in de (door o.a. technologie) veranderende samenleving?

Wil jij de toekomst tastbaar en beeldend maken en meedoen met een groeiende beweging van jonge (t/m 35) visionairen, denkers en doeners?
Doe dan mee aan de toekomstverkenning publieke platformen georganiseerd door FUTUR en Provincie Zuid-Holland en ondersteund door Scape Agency.

Vanuit verschillende thematische invalshoeken gaan we hiermee aan de slag. Het streven is dat iedere groep bestaat uit een groep van 10 jonge professionals vanuit verschillende organisaties (publiek, privaat en kennis).

De thema's zijn:

• Circulair 2050 - De ambitie om in 2050 niet alleen klimaatneutraal, maar ook nog eens onze economie 100% circulair in te richten, vergt een omslag in denken en doen. Hoe buigen we lineaire ketens rond? Waar beginnen we? En cruciaal: welke rol speelt het publieke platform in deze transitie?
• Zicht op maatschappelijke vraagstukken met data – Data is onmisbaar voor het oplossen van maatschappelijke vraagstukken. Hoe zetten we data verantwoord in voor het benutten van deze kansen?
• Digitale Waterschappen – Bestuurt AI in 2050 het waterbeheer, of wordt water juist lokaal beheert?
• Ambtenaar van de toekomst – Als steeds meer taken worden overgenomen door (platform)technologie, wat is dan de rol van de ambtenaar van de toekomst en welke vaardigheden worden gevraagd?
• Participatie – hoe kan de overheid betrokkenheid van inwoners, bedrijven en maatschappelijke organisaties vormgeven bij beleid en besluitvorming?
• Uitvoering van de toekomst – De meeste publieke dienstverleners leveren een stand van de uitvoering aan. Hoe moet de uitvoering en publieke dienstverlening van de toekomst worden vormgegeven?
• Online leefwereld van jongeren – Welke publieke waarden moeten vooropstaan op social media, hoe ziet een dergelijk platform eruit en welke digitale vaardigheden van jongeren zijn cruciaal?
• Tomorrows Governance – hoe verandert de rol, organisatie en wijze van samenwerken van de overheid?
• Mobiliteit en Brede Welvaart - Wat is de impact van (platform)technologie op de bijdrage van mobiliteit aan de brede welvaart van mensen door de bereikbaarheid van banen, voorzieningen en sociale contacten in de stad, en de regio?
• Sociaal Domein – Hoe draagt platformtechnologie bij aan de complexe oplossingen in het sociaal domein? Hoe zorg je er voor dat de inwoner direct geholpen wordt, in plaats van het kastje naar de muur wordt gestuurd?
• Ethiek

Wat betekent meedoen?

• Je sluit je aan bij een themagroep. En doet mee in de voorbereiding = het verzamelen van voorbeeldcases uit eigen werk, rapporten, studies, literatuur, films enz.
• Je doet op 13 februari mee met de visiedag (09:00 - 13:00), en bij voorkeur ook de aansluitende verbeeldingsdialoog in het Provinciehuis van de Provincie Zuid-Holland in den haag. Op deze dag werken de themagroepen met ondersteuning van ontwerpers en kunstenaars hun toekomstbeeld uit.
• Je bent in maart beschikbaar voor 1 digitale of fysieke sessie voor de verdere uitwerking van het toekomstbeeld.
• Je bent op 4 april aanwezig (vermoedelijk enkel de middag) bij het slotevent ‘publieke platformen’ georganiseerd door de provincie Zuid-Holland in het provinciehuis. Op 4 april ‘exposeren’ de groepen hun toekomstbeeld aan een breder publiek, en wordt er op verschillende manier een dialoog georganiseerd tussen bezoekers, experts en bestuurders.
• Je vergroot je netwerk, je doet inspiratie op voor de vraagstukken waar jij dagelijks mee bezig bent en je hebt vooral plezier.

Doe je mee? Meld je dan hier aan: https://kennislab.typeform.com/to/MRNbvgIl

Wat is de impact van (platform)technologie op de overheid van de toekomst en haar rol in de (door o.a. technologie) veranderende samenleving? Wil jij de toekomst tastbaar en beeldend maken en meedoen met een groeiende beweging van jonge (t/m 35 jaar) visionairen, denkers en doeners?
Doe dan mee aan de toekomstverkenning publieke platformen georganiseerd door FUTUR en Provincie Zuid-Holland en ondersteund door Scape Agency.

Vanuit verschillende thematische invalshoeken gaan we hiermee aan de slag in groepen van ongeveer 10 jonge professionals vanuit verschillende organisaties (Publiek, privaat en kennis). Een beschrijving van de eerste thema’s vind je hieronder:

Thema's
- Circulair 2050 - De ambitie om in 2050 niet alleen klimaatneutraal, maar ook nog eens onze economie 100% circulair in te richten, vergt een omslag in denken en doen. Hoe buigen we lineaire ketens rond? Waar beginnen we? En cruciaal: welke rol speelt het publieke platform in deze transitie?
- Zicht op maatschappelijke vraagstukken met data – Data is onmisbaar voor het oplossen van maatschappelijke vraagstukken. Hoe zetten we data verantwoord in voor het benutten van deze kansen?
-Digitale Waterschappen – Bestuurt AI in 2050 het waterbeheer, of wordt water juist lokaal beheert?
-Ambtenaar van de toekomst – Als steeds meer taken worden overgenomen door (platform)technologie, wat is dan de rol van de ambtenaar van de toekomst en welke vaardigheden worden gevraagd?
- Participatie – hoe kan de overheid betrokkenheid van inwoners, bedrijven en maatschappelijke organisaties vormgeven bij beleid en besluitvorming?
- Uitvoering van de toekomst – De meeste publieke dienstverleners leveren een stand van de uitvoering aan. Hoe moet de uitvoering en publieke dienstverlening van de toekomst worden vormgegeven?
- Online leefwereld van jongeren – Welke publieke waarden moeten vooropstaan op social media, hoe ziet een dergelijk platform eruit en welke digitale vaardigheden van jongeren zijn cruciaal?
- Tomorrows Governance – hoe verandert de rol, organisatie en wijze van samenwerken van de overheid?
- Mobiliteit en Brede Welvaart - Wat is de impact van (platform)technologie op de bijdrage van mobiliteit aan de brede welvaart van mensen door de bereikbaarheid van banen, voorzieningen en sociale contacten in de stad, en de regio?
- Sociaal Domein – Hoe kan platformtechnologie bijdragen aan de complexe problemen in het sociaal domein? Hoe ga je toe naar een overheid die er voor de inwoner is, in plaats van de inwoner van het kastje naar de muur stuurt.
- Ethiek

Zijn een van die thema's iets voor jou? Meld je dan aan via: https://kennislab.typeform.com/to/MRNbvgIl

Wat betekent meedoen?
- Je sluit je aan bij een themagroep. En doet mee in de voorbereiding, dus het verzamelen van voorbeeldcases uit eigen werk, rapporten, studies, literatuur, films enz.
- Je doet op 13 februari mee met de visiedag (09:00 - 13:00), en bij voorkeur ook de aansluitende verbeeldingsdialoog in het Provinciehuis van de Provincie Zuid-Holland in den haag. Op deze dag werken de themagroepen met ondersteuning van ontwerpers en kunstenaars hun toekomstbeeld uit.
Je bent in maart beschikbaar voor 1 digitale of fysieke sessie voor de verdere uitwerking van het toekomstbeeld.
- Je bent op 4 april aanwezig (vermoedelijk enkel de middag) bij het slotevent ‘publieke platformen’ georganiseerd door de provincie Zuid-Holland in het provinciehuis. Op 4 april ‘exposeren’ de groepen hun toekomstbeeld aan een breder publiek, en wordt er op verschillende manier een dialoog georganiseerd tussen bezoekers, experts en bestuurders.
- Je vergroot je netwerk, je doet inspiratie op voor de vraagstukken waar jij dagelijks mee bezig bent en je hebt vooral plezier.

datApeldoorn is dé data-dag van 2024 in Apeldoorn. Het evenement is bedoeld voor iedereen die bezig is met vraagstukken in het fysieke of veiligheidsdomein en wil weten hoe je hierin zelf aan de slag kunt met data. Het programma biedt een combinatie van workshops, keynotes en interactie vanuit onderwijs, overheid en praktijk. Je leert bijvoorbeeld hoe je datagedreven scenario’s voor een veilige stad ontwikkelt, wat er kan met geo-datascience en hoe je het gesprek met inwoners over data toepassingen voor de stad voert. Ook is er aandacht voor de goede dataverhalen, ethiek en veilig gebruik van data. Meld je nu aan voor datApeldoorn en leer van Apeldoorn als gevestigde en vernieuwende datastad!

Dit evenement wordt mogelijk gemaakt door de gemeente Apeldoorn, het Kadaster, het Centrum voor Veiligheid en Digitalisering en de City Deal ‘Een slimme stad, zo doe je dat’.

__________________________________________________________
Datum: donderdag 18 april 2024
Locatie: Centrum voor Veiligheid en Digitalisering in Apeldoorn, Wapenrustlaan 11
Tijd: inloop vanaf 9.00 uur, programma van 10.00 tot 17.00 uur.

Meld je hieronder aan!

Evenementen in de stad willen we verder verduurzamen en toegankelijker maken. Vaak vinden evenementen plaats op centrale plekken waar mensen bij elkaar komen en waar veel afval, drinkwater en consumptievoorzieningen zijn. Dit zijn goede plekken om nieuwe innovaties te testen en verder te ontwikkelen. Tot 29 februari kunnen ondernemers zich inschrijven om hun innovatie te testen via het In Residence programma Open Evenementen.

In Residence programma

Innovatieve ondernemers kunnen zich inschrijven voor het In Residence programma van het stedelijk innovatieteam, waarin open evenementen in Amsterdam worden ingezet voor het testen van innovaties. Het doel van dit programma is om kennis te ontwikkelen voor zowel het verduurzamen van evenementen, als voor het vinden van praktische oplossingen voor een toekomstbestendige stad.

Geselecteerde ondernemers krijgen daarbij professionele begeleiding bij het verder ontwikkelen van hun innovatie en de mogelijkheid samen te werken met ambtenaren en evenementenorganisatoren. Voor het testen van hun innovatie krijgen ondernemers een budget tot €15.000,- toegewezen. Het programma duurt 6 maanden, van mei tot en met oktober 2024. Op 26 april worden de 8 ondernemers bekend gemaakt die dit jaar aan het programma mee zullen doen.

Het In Residence programma Open Evenementen vindt plaats in aanloop naar het jubileumjaar 2025 – het jaar van Amsterdam 750 en SAIL – dat groots gevierd zal worden in de hele stad. Innovaties die de komende tijd op evenementen worden getest en door ontwikkeld kunnen mogelijk een rol hebben tijdens de grootschalige evenementen die dat jaar plaatsvinden.

Evenementen als proeftuin

Meerdere grote evenementen nemen deel aan het programma. De organisaties van onder andere Pride en de Marathon bieden geselecteerde ondernemers mogelijkheden om innovaties op thema’s als duurzaamheid, circulair, mobiliteit, inclusie en toegankelijkheid te testen tijdens deze evenementen. Kansrijke innovaties krijgen hierdoor de mogelijkheid om door te ontwikkelen en een positieve bijdrage te leveren aan de opgaven van de stad.

Innovatieve ondernemers kunnen innovaties opgeven binnen de volgende thema's:

• Voedsel
• Circulaire materialen
• Circulaire verpakkingen
• Mobiliteit
• Inclusiviteit en toegankelijkheid
• Extreem weer
• Digitale veiligheid

Er is ook een wildcard voor een kansrijke innovatie die buiten deze categorieën valt.

De Inschrijving verloopt via: https://innovatiepartners.nl/project/open-evenementen-2024/ en sluit op 29 februari.

Meer informatie over hoe wij samenwerken met ondernemers vind je op:www.innovatiepartners.nl. Op 6 en 8 februari vinden er twee informatiewebinars plaats waarin meer verteld zal worden over het In Residence programma en de selectieprocedure. Ook is er dan ruimte om vragen te stellen.

A certain degree of compactness is essential for the viability of 15-minute cities.  This is due to the need for an economic threshold for facilities accessible by walking or cycling. A summary of 300 research projects by the OECD shows that compactness increases the efficiency of public services in all respects. But it also reveals disadvantages in terms of health and well-being due to pollution, traffic, and noise. The assumption is that there is an optimal density at which both pleasant living and the presence of everyday facilities - including schools - can be realised.  At this point, 'densification' is not at the expense of quality of life but contributes to it.  A lower density results in more car use and a higher density will reduce living and green space and the opportunity to create jobs.

The image above is a sketch of the 'Plan Papenvest' in Brussels. The density, 300 dwellings on an area of 1.13 hectares, is ten times that of an average neighbourhood. Urban planners often mention that the density of Dutch cities is much lower than in Paris and Barcelona, for example. Yet it is precisely in these cities that traffic is one of the main causes of air pollution, stress, and health problems. The benefits of compactness combined with a high quality of life can only be realised if the nuisances associated with increasing density are limited. This uncompromisingly means limiting car ownership and use.

Urban planners often seem to argue the other way round. They argue that building in the green areas around cities must be prevented at all costs to protect nature and that there is still enough space for building in the cities. The validity of this view is limited. In the first place, the scarce open space within cities can be better used for clean workshops and nature development in combination with water control. Secondly, much of the 'green' space outside cities is not valuable nature at all. Most of it is used to produce feed for livestock, especially cows. Using a few per cent of this space for housing does not harm nature at all. This housing must be concentrated near public transport. The worst idea is to add a road to the outskirts of every town and village. This will undoubtedly increase the use of cars.
 
Below you can link to my free downloadable e-book: 25 Building blocks to create better streets, neighborhoods and cities

On Thursday December 14th, Amsterdam Smart City partners concluded 2023 with an afternoon full of inspiration, exchange and connections at our 22nd Demoday! Our partner Deloitte welcomed our network in The Garage, where their ‘Deloitte Studios’ department is located. In this article, we’ll give you a quick overview of the Knowledge Session, Work Sessions and Pitches. Interesting in learning more? Read the full reports by our Programme Managers Noor, Pelle and Sophie (linked below).

About our Demodays

The Demodays are one of the tools we use to stimulate innovation and encourage connection between our partners and community. The purpose of the Demodays is to present the progress of various innovation projects, ask for help, share dilemmas and involve more partners to take these projects to the next level. More information about the Demodays can be found here.

Knowledge Session: Change in the here and now, with Theory U

To kick-off our final Demoday of 2023, our brand-new partner Hieroo led an inspiring knowledge session about the change method they use for social innovation in the city: Theory U. Dorien Schneider and Maartje Krijnen taught us more about this methodology and how it can help us solve complex problems by shifting from ego to eco-thinking. Read the full report here.

Work sessions

After the plenary Knowledge Session we split up in different worksessions, each exploring regional innovation challenges. As always, we had set up the sessions’ topics and moderation in collaboration with our partners.

Mobility | Decision-making along the principles of Inclusive Prosperity – Jurhan Kwee (Municipality of Amsterdam)
In The Netherlands, the concept of ‘Inclusive Prosperity’ is on the rise. Policy makers are busy defining this concept, figuring out how to put this concept into practice and what it means for their decision-making process. Together with his colleagues at the Municipality of Amsterdam, Yurhan Kwee hosts sessions on decision-making along the principles of Inclusive Prosperity. With the input he gathers, he hopes to make the decisions needed for our Inclusive Prosperity ambitions more understandable and transparent, both for Amsterdam’s administrators and councillors as well as its citizens. Read Pelle’s recap article here.

Digital | Data Commons Collective: Using data for a liveable city – Lia Hsu (Amsterdam Economic Board) and Simone van der Burg (Waag)
In the big tech-dominated era, data has been commercially exploited for so long that it is now hard to imagine that data sharing might also benefit the community. Yet that is what a collective of businesses, governments, social institutions and residents in Amsterdam aim to do. Sharing more data to better care for the city. On behalf of the Data Commons Collective, Lia Hsu (Strategic Advisor at Amsterdam Economic Board) asked the Amsterdam Smart City network for input and feedback on their Data Commons initiative. Read Sophie's recap article here.

Energy | How can we continue to facilitate the homeowner in driving the energy transition? | Wouter van Rooijen (Alliander)
Wouter van Rooijen (Alliander) discussed the challenges related to grid congestion. From 2030 onwards, it is expected that a significant portion of the low-voltage network will experience both over- and under-voltage. While the network will be reinforced as quickly as possible, the lack of labour capacity is also prompting the consideration of alternative solutions.

The solution that emerged from Wouter's co-creation process was WijkWise. In this work session, Wouter aimed to validate the WijkWise concept and find parties that could contribute to its development and market implementation. Dave van Loon from Kennisland moderated the session. Read Noor’s recap article here.

Circular | Navigating eco-emotions: The impact of working in sustainability on your mental wellbeing| Marian Zandbergen (Hogeschool van Amsterdam)
This work session, led by Marian Zandbergen (CIRCOLLAB, HvA) and moderated by Mareille de Bloois (Royal HaskoningDHV), explored the challenges and opportunities associated with eco-emotions, both personally and within organizations. The key question addressed was: How can individuals and organisations constructively manage eco-emotions, and what implications does this have for organisations? Read Noor’s recap article here.

Pitches

To end this festive afternoon and the year 2023 as a whole, we invited project owners and -members to present their progress and next steps on topics brought in during our events and deep-dives throughout 2023. The following projects were presented. You can read more about these topics on their dedicated articles and project pages, linked below.

Local Energy Systems: Where we started, what we have achieved, and what are the next steps – Omar Shafqat (University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam)

Connecting the resource- and energy transition – Edwin Oskam (MRA)

ChatGPT and the government: Possibilities and impact on our work – Jeroen Silvis (Province of North Holland)

Floating urban districts: Future-proof living in the Metropolitan Region – Joke Dufourmont (AMS Institute)

Mobility Justice: Raising the topic of Mobility Poverty and the working group’s progress – Bas Gerbrandy (Province of North Holland)

Our next Demoday will take place in April. Do you have an inspiring story or project you want to pitch to the Amsterdam Smart City network? Let us know via sophie@amsterdamsmartcity.com

*This article makes use of the term Inclusive Prosperity as the English translation for the Dutch word; ‘Brede Welvaart’

In The Netherlands, the concept of Inclusive Prosperity* is on the rise. Policy makers are busy defining this concept, figuring out how to put this concept into practice and what it means for their decision-making process. Together with his colleagues at the Municipality of Amsterdam, Yurhan Kwee hosts sessions on decision-making along the principles of Inclusive Prosperity. With the input he gathers, he hopes to make the decisions needed for our Inclusive Prosperity ambitions more understandable and transparent, both for Amsterdam’s administrators and councillors as well as its citizens.

Inclusive Prosperity

Inclusive Prosperity is about more than just money. It involves everything that people consider valuable, such as health, the quality of education, the environment, a safe living environment, and equal opportunities for everyone. It's about the quality of life in the present, and the extent to which this affects the prosperity of future generations or those of people elsewhere in the world.

According to the definition, used by the Municipality, there are 8 themes to consider:

1. Subjective Well-being

Subjective well-being refers to the evaluation people make of their lives. Consider the question, "How satisfied are you with life in general?"

2. Health

The theme of Health encompasses physical illnesses and conditions, as well as mental health, living with limitations, perceived health, and self-regulation and resilience.

3. Consumption and Income

The theme of Consumption and Income refers to how income provides people with the freedom and opportunities to consume, including purchasing services and goods, maintaining a financial buffer, and shaping one's lifestyle.

4. Education and Training

Thinking about the theme of Education and Training involves the transfer of knowledge and skills, socialization, and considering the education or training experiences of individuals.

5. Spatial Quality and Cohesion

Regarding the theme of Spatial Cohesion and Quality, consider the following: a qualitatively well-designed space is a crucial precondition for the perceived broad prosperity. This includes spatial design on a functional level and with a focus on the future.

6. Economic Capital

Depending on the case, consider how it relates to:

• Human capital: the combination of competencies, knowledge, and skills;
• Physical capital: material possessions, such as machinery, buildings, and infrastructure;
• Knowledge capital: intangible assets, such as research and development, data, and patents;
• Financial capital: the financial resources of households and the government (purchasing power).

7. Natural Capital

Natural Capital refers to the stock of natural resources. Consider items such as (drinking) water, food, minerals, wind-sun-water energy, biodiversity, etc. Assess whether they are sufficiently available, in shortage, or if there is damage to these resources.

8. Social Capital

The concept of Social Capital often refers to the benefits of social networks, such as access to information and resources. This involves connections within and between groups. Positive effects can lead to trust, while negative effects can lead to loneliness.

Experimenting (with Mobility related policies) in public space

The case we used during this session is the use of experiments in public space, altering mobility or travel infrastructure. The months leading up to this afternoon, Amsterdam had put different experiments into practice (e.g. de ‘knip’ and de ‘paaltjesproef’) resulting in heated discussions, about both the success and desirability of using this method.

In a more objective manner, we used the Broad Prosperity principles to argue why its either desirable or undesirable to put such methods into practice.

Results

The group agreed that these Amsterdam experiments, concerned with creating calmer, more liveable urban areas, score well within themes like; Health (less air & noise pollution), Nature (more space for green and biodiversity), Social capital (more space and opportunity to meet and interact), Spacial quality (less dangerous and more moving space) and education (experimenting, learning by doing, viewing urban planning as experimenting and an ongoing learning process). However, as this year’s backlash on the experiments showed, there are some negative aspects to consider. Examples of domains in which we found some negative aspects, were; Economy (decreased speed and efficiency), Consumption & Income (local shop- and restaurant-owners need to be flexible and could be victims of changing infrastructure) and Subjective Well-being (citizens feel used, disadvantaged, and there is ambiguity about the purpose).

We found it difficult to arrive at a common answer because advantages and disadvantages exist on each theme separately. However, there was a common notion that the success of this method is rooted in clear and transparent communication on the effects and goals of such experiment. Frustration should be minimized and the opposing arguments should be taken seriously. Furthermore, we discussed the difference between a ‘real’ experiment in which every outcome is a success, and a trial, which is used to test a policy that’s envisioned for future years. The one who initiates the experiment should have this very clear for itself.

While one of the strengths of this method is the need to value these different domains in a more equal and objective manner, it proved to be difficult in practice. We all had the tendency to give some aspects more weight than others. While we were supposed to set up an advice and practice with decision-making along the principles of Inclusive Prosperity, it turned out to be challenging to let go of our prior experience, prejudices and opinions on this subject. We weren’t sure whether this is always a negative thing, but it’s one of the considerations Yurhan took home in the Municipality’s exploration of this approach.

Together, we experienced the challenge of working together with a new concept and approach. It should be an ongoing practice and discussion, a collective effort. Sessions like these serve that purpose perfectly.

Feel free to get in touch with me if you want to know more about the municipality’s and Amsterdam Economic Board’s efforts on the topic of Inclusive Prosperity.

Carlos Moreno, a professor at the Sorbonne University, helped Mayor Anne Hidalgo develop the idea of the 15-minute city. He said that six things made people happy: living, working, amenities, education, wellbeing, and recreation. The quality of the urban environment is enhanced when these functions are realized near each other. The monofunctional expansion of cities in the US, but also in the bidonvilles of Paris, is a thorn in his side, partly because this justifies owning a car.
 
A more precise definition of the concept of the 15-minute city is needed before it can be implemented on a large scale. It is important to clarify which means of transport must be available to reach certain facilities in a given number of minutes. The list of facilities is usually very comprehensive, while the list of means of transport is usually only vaguely defined. But the distance you can travel in 15 minutes depends on the availability of certain modes of transport (see figure above).
Advocates of "new urbanism" have developed the tools to design 15-minute cities. They are based on three zones: the 5-minute walking zone, the 15-minute walking zone, which coincides with the 5-minute cycling zone, and finally the 15-minute cycling zone. These are not static concepts: In practice, the zones overlap and complement each other.

The 5-minute walking zone

This zone corresponds to the way in which most residential neighbourhoods functioned up until the 1960s, wherever you are in the world. Imagine a space with an average distance from the center to the edge of about 400 meters. In the center you will find a limited number of shops, a (small) supermarket, one or more cafes and a restaurant. The number of residents will vary between two and three thousand. Density will decrease from the centre and the main streets outwards. Green spaces, including a small neighbourhood park, will be distributed throughout the neighbourhood, as will workshops and offices.
In the case of new construction, it is essential that pedestrian areas have a dense network of paths without crossings at ground level with streets where car traffic is allowed. Some paths are wider and allow cycling within the 5- and 15-minute cycle zones. The streets provide access to concentrated parking facilities.

The 5-minute cycle zone and the 15-minute walking zone.

Here the distance from the center to the edge is about one kilometer. In this area, most of the facilities that residents need is available and can be distributed around the centers of the 5-minute walking zones. For example, a slightly larger supermarket may be located between two 5-minute walking zones. This zone will also contain one or more larger parks and some larger concentrations of employment.
This zone can be a large district of a city, but it can also be a small municipality or district of around 15 to 25,000 inhabitants. With such a population there will be little room for dogmatic design, especially when it comes to existing buildings. But even then, it is possible to separate traffic types by keeping cars off many streets and clustering car parks. The bottom line is that all destinations in this zone can be reached quickly by walking and cycling, and that car routes can be crossed safely.
The car will be used (occasionally) for several destinations. For example, for large shopping trips to the supermarket.

The 15-minute cycle zone.

This zone will be home to 100.00 or more residents. The large variation is due to the (accidental) presence of facilities for a larger catchment area, such as an industrial estate, a furniture boulevard or an IKEA, a university or a (regional) hospital. It is certainly not a sum of comparable 5-minute cycle zones. Nevertheless, the aim is to distribute functions over the whole area on as small a scale as possible. In practice, this zone is also crossed by several roads for car traffic. The network of cycle paths provides the most direct links between the 5-minute cycle zones and the wider area.
 
The main urban development objectives for this zone are good accessibility to urban facilities by public transport from all neighbourhoods, the prohibition of hypermarkets and a certain distribution of central functions throughout the area: Residents should be able to go out and have fun in a few places and not just in a central part of the city.
 
Below you can link to my free downloadable e-book: 25 Building blocks to create better streets, neighborhoods and cities.

Are you an experienced professional in Circular Economy and Life Cycle Assessments and eager to lead a team of experts in zero-emission mobility and energy infrastructure? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

WHO WE ARE

Cenex Nederland is a not-for-profit research organisation and consultancy specializing on zero emission mobility, energy infrastructure and circular economy. Our mission is to support our customers and partners in making the world a better place to live and travel.
 
We are a compact but rapidly growing team with complementary expertise. We foster a work environment that is supportive, encouraging self- initiative, and promoting independence. Join our fun and professional team where sustainability and innovation are considered 'business as usual'!
 
Following the motto 'Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much' we collaborate with governments and industry parties helping then achieve their zero emission transport goals.
 
Amsterdam may be our hometown, but our activities and ambitious agenda have an international reach. We frequently engage in European or international projects working together with other professionals.
 
YOUR ROLE
 
The world of e-mobility is evolving rapidly. Not only are battery and hydrogen electric vehicles becoming an integral part to the transport and energy landscape, but the focus on their lifecycle impact and circular economy within the industry’s value chain is also gaining significant traction. Should you join us, you will be leading a small team of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) experts and will be contributing in various research and consultancy assignments. Your daily activities would include:
 
•   Leading a growing team of circular economy and LCA experts, offering guidance and support
•   Managing EU-fundedR&D projects in the field of transport and renewables
•   Conducting research, modelling and analysis of  environmental,  social and  economic  lifecycle impacts of products within the transport and energy industries.
•   Leading the development of eco-design tools, circular economy roadmaps and policy frameworks to support public or private organisations in achieving their circularity goals.
•   Writing project proposals and engaging with prospect clients.
•   Reviewing and writing scientific and public-facing reports
•   Presenting at conferences, organising training sessions and workshops

YOUR PROFILE
 
The role of Circular Economy & LCA Team Lead within Cenex NL encompasses a variety of specialisms. We are seeking a new colleague who meets the following requirements:
 
Essential
•   A minimum of five years in roles related to circular economy consultancy and/or research, or other relevant experience.
•   Relevant   Master’s   degree   (such   as   Industrial   Ecology,   Industrial   Design,   Engineering, Environmental Sciences).
•   Demonstrated project management experience and ability to responsibly manage multiple projects.
•   Experienced in using LCA software to quantify environmental, social and economic impact.
•   Strong affinity/experience with mobility, transport, and energy sectors and related technologies
•   Ability to deliver value and quality to our customers and partners (verbally and written)
•   Self-starter and completer of assignments
•   Willing and able to travel (inter)nationally with some regularity
•   Already living in the Netherlands with an existing work-permit to work in NL Fluent in English, written and spoken
 
Desirable
•   Experience in people management
•   Experience with (EU) funding programmes (such as Horizon Europe)
•   Dutch (at minimum A2 level) and/or additional languages
•   Driving licence

CONTACT DETAILS
Do you see a good match? Send us your <strong>CV and motivation letter</strong> to hello@cenexgroup.nl We look forward to hearing from you!

Without changing the transport system in which they operate, the advent of autonomous cars will not significantly improve the quality of life in our cities. This has been discussed in previous contributions. This change includes prioritizing investment in developing high-quality public transport and autonomous minibuses to cover the first and last mile.
 
However, this is not enough by itself. The need to reduce the distances we travel daily also applies to transporting raw materials and food around the world. This is the subject of a new series of blog posts, and probably the last.
Over the next few weeks I will be discussing the sustainability of the need for people and goods to travel long distances. In many cities, the corona pandemic has been a boost to this idea. Paris is used as an example. But what applies to Paris applies to every city.
 
When Anne Hidalgo took office as the newly elected mayor in 2016, her first actions were to close the motorway over the Seine quay and build kilometres of cycle paths. Initially, these actions were motivated by environmental concerns. Apparently, there was enough support for these plans to ensure her re-election in 2020. She had understood that measures to limit car traffic would not be enough. That is why she campaigned on the idea of "La Ville du Quart d'Heure", the 15-minute city, also known as the "complete neighbourhood". In essence, the idea is to provide citizens with almost all of their daily needs - employment, housing, amenities, schools, care and recreation - within a 15-minute walk or bike ride of their homes. The idea appealed. The idea of keeping people in their cars was replaced by the more sympathetic, empirical idea of making them redundant.
 
During pandemics, lockdowns prevent people from leaving their homes or travelling more than one kilometer. For the daily journey to work or school, the tele-works took their place, and the number of (temporary) "pistes á cycler" quickly increased. For many Parisians, the rediscovery of their own neighbourhood was a revelation. They looked up to the parks every day, the neighbourhood shops had more customers, commuters suddenly had much more time and, despite all the worries, the pandemic was in a revival of "village" coziness.
 
A revival, indeed, because until the 1960s, most of the inhabitants of the countries of Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia did not know that everything they needed on a daily basis was available within walking or cycling distance. It was against this backdrop that the idea of the 15-minute city gained ground in Paris.
 
We talk about a 15-minute city when neighbourhoods have the following characteristics
- a mix of housing for people of different ages and backgrounds - pedestrians and cyclists
- Pedestrians and cyclists, especially children, can safely use car-free streets.
- Shops within walking distance (up to 400 meters) for all daily needs
- The same goes for a medical center and a primary school.
- There are excellent public transport links;
- Parking is available on the outskirts of the neighbourhood.
- Several businesses and workshops are located in each neighbourhood.
- Neighbourhoods offer different types of meeting places, from parks to cafes and restaurants.
- There are many green and leafy streets in a neighbourhood.
- The population is large enough to support these facilities.
- Citizens have a degree of self-management.
 
Urban planners have rarely lost sight of these ideas. In many cities, the pandemic has made these vague memories accessible goals, even if they are far from reality.
 
In the next post, I will reflect on how the idea of the 15-minute city is moving from dream to reality.

Below you can link to my free downloadable e-book: 25 Building blocks to create better streets, neighborhoods and cities

Until recently, optimists would say "in a few years." Nobody believes that anymore, except for Egon Musk. The number of - so far small - incidents involving robot taxis is increasing to such an extent that the cities where these taxis operate on a modest scale, San Francisco in particular, want to take action.

Europe vs USA

In any case, it will take a long time before robotaxis are commonplace in Europe. There are two major differences between the US and Europe when it comes to transportation policy.
In the US, each state can individually determine when autonomous vehicles can hit the road. In Europe, on the other hand, a General Safety Regulation has been in force since June 2022 that applies to all countries. This states, among other things, that a driver must maintain control of the vehicle at all times. Strict conditions apply to vehicles without a driver: separate lanes, short routes on traffic-calmed parts of the public road and always with a 'safety driver' on board.
The second difference is that in the US 45% of all residents do not have public transport available. In Europe you can get almost anywhere by public transport, although the frequency is low in remote areas. Governments say they want to further increase accessibility by public transport, even if this is at the expense of car traffic. To this end, they want an integrated transport policy, a word that is virtually unknown in the US.

Integrated transport policy

In essence, integrated transport policy is the offering of a series of transport options that together result in (1) the most efficient, safe and convenient satisfaction of transport needs, (2) reduction of the need to travel over long distances (including via the '15- minutes city') and (3)  minimal adverse effects on the environment and the quality of life, especially in the large cities. In other words, transport is part of policy aimed at improving the quality of the living environment.
Integrated transport policy assesses the role of vehicle automation in terms of their contribution to these objectives. A distinction can be made between the automation of passenger cars (SAE level 1-3) and driverless vehicles (SEA level 4-5).

Automation of passenger cars

Systems such as automatic lane changes, monitoring distance and speed, and monitoring the behavior of other road users are seen as contributing to road safety. However, the driver always remains responsible and must therefore be able to take over steering at any time, even if the car does not emit a (disengagement) signal. Eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Driverless cars

'Hail-riding' will result in growth of traffic in cities because the number of car kilometers per user increases significantly, at the expense of walking, cycling, public transport and to a much lesser extent the use of private cars. Sofar, the number of people who switch from their own car to 'hail-riding' is minimal. The only way to reverse this trend is to impose heavy taxes on car kilometers in urban areas. On the other hand, the use of robot shuttles is beneficial in low-traffic areas and on routes from residential areas to a station. Shuttles are also an excellent way to reduce car use locally. For example, in the extensive Terhills resort in Genk, Belgium, where people leave their cars in the parking lot and transfer to autonomous shuttles that connect the various destinations on the site with high frequency.
 
A few months ago (April 2023), I read that Qbus in the Netherlands wants to experiment with 18-meter-long autonomous buses, for the time being accompanied by a 'safety driver'. Routes on bus lanes outside the busiest parts of the city are being considered. Autonomous metros and trains have been running in various cities, including London, for years. It is this incremental approach that we will need in the coming years instead of dreaming about getting into an autonomous car, where a made bed awaits us and we wakes us rested 1000 kilometers away. Instead of overcrowded roads with moving beds, we are better off with a comfortable and well-functioning European network of fast (sleeper) trains on a more modern rail infrastructure and efficient and convenient pre- and post-transport.

Ben jij student communicatie, hbo of wo? Zoek je een geweldig leuke, flexibele bijbaan als communicatiemedewerker, met veel eigen verantwoordelijkheid in hartje Amsterdam? Solliciteer direct!

Amsterdam Economic Board is op zoek naar een enthousiaste student die per 1 februari 2024 het communicatieteam helpt met mailings, content en events.  We werken op een geweldige plek in Amsterdam: het Marineterrein. Je kunt ook vanuit huis werken en je eigen tijd indelen. De 10 uur per week verdeel je, in overleg, over een aantal dagen.

Wie zijn wij?

Amsterdam Economic Board is het netwerk van bedrijven, kennisinstellingen, overheden en maatschappelijke organisaties met wie je samenwerkt aan de slimme, groene en gezonde Metropool van Morgen. Onze grote kracht is ons sterke en relevante netwerk, zoals onze Board, de Network Council, Young on Board en andere partners met wie we bouwen aan coalities. Dat doen we binnen de belangrijke, maatschappelijke thema’s waar Amsterdam Economic Board aan werkt. Samen zetten we initiatieven in gang, als antwoord op complexe uitdagingen.

Wie ben jij?

• Je bent student communicatie (hbo of wo)
• Je vindt het leuk om ervaring op te doen in een dynamisch communicatieteam
• Je bent gemotiveerd om je te verdiepen in de onderwerpen waar we aan werken
• Je bent een aanpakker die makkelijk switcht tussen taken. Je werkt planmatig, bent praktisch en dienstverlenend
• Je durft vragen te stellen en met oplossingen te komen
• Je hebt uitstekende kennis van de Nederlandse en Engelse taal (een schrijfopdracht kan deel uitmaken van de sollicitatieprocedure)
• Ervaring is niet nodig, maar mag natuurlijk wel.

Wat ga je doen als communicatiemedewerker?

• Je publiceert actuele content op onze website (WordPress) en social media-kanalen (LinkedIn en X)
• Je geeft event-uitnodigingen en de nieuwsbrief vorm in Mailchimp en verzorgt eventregistratie in Eventbrite
• Je helpt bij diverse events en bijeenkomsten
• Je maakt presentaties in Powerpoint

Wat bieden wij?

• Een functie per 1 februari 2024 voor 10 uur per week
• Een werkweek die is aangepast aan je studierooster. Je verdeelt je werktijd flexibel over minimaal 3 dagen (binnen kantooruren)
• Een jaarcontract
• Je verdient €17,78 bruto per uur, aangevuld met vakantie- en eindejaartoeslag en diverse vergoedingen.

Interesse gewekt?

Dan horen we graag van je! Stuur uiterlijk 3 januari 2024 je cv en een korte motivatie via solliciteren@amecboard.com. Na de sluitingsdatum maken wij een selectie en hoor je of we je uitnodigen voor een kennismakingsgesprek kort daarna. Een schrijfopdracht kan deel uitmaken van de procedure.

Neem voor meer informatie over de functie contact op met Andrea Joosse via a.joosse@amecboard.com of 06 23 06 38 38. En bekijk vooral onze website. Hopelijk spreken we elkaar snel!

 
The photograph above is misleading. Reading a book instead of watching the road is not allowed in any country, unless the car is parked.
 
For more than a decade, car manufacturers have been working on technology to take over driver's actions. A Lot  of money has been invested in this short period and many optimistic expectations have been raised, but no large-scale implementation of the higher SAE levels resulted so far. Commercial services with robotaxi’s are scarce and still experimental.  

The changing tide

Especially in the period 2015 - 2018, the CEOs of the companies involved cheered about the prospects; soon after, sentiment changed. In November 2018, Waymo CEO John Krafcik said that the spread of autonomous cars is still decades away and that driving under poor circumstances and in overcrowded cities will always require a human driver. Volkswagen's CEO said fully self-driving cars "may never" hit public roads.
The companies involved are therefore increasingly concerned about the return on the $100 billion invested in the development of car automation until the end of 2021. The end of the development process is not yet in sight. Much has been achieved, but the last 20% of the journey to the fully autonomous car will require the most effort and much more investment. Current technology is difficult to perfect. “Creating self-driving robotaxi is harder than putting a man on the moon,” said Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, after terminating Argo, the joint venture with Volkswagen, after the company had invested $100 million in it.
 
The human brain can assess complex situations on the road much better than any machine. Artificial intelligence is much faster, but its accuracy and adaptability still leave much to be desired. Driverless cars struggle with unpredictability caused by children, pedestrians, cyclists, and other human-driven cars as well as with potholes, detours, worn markings, snow, rain, fog, darkness and so on. This is also the opinion of Gabriel Seiberth, CEO of the German computer company Accenture, and he advises the automotive industry to focus on what is possible. Carlo van de Weijer, director of Artificial Intelligence at TU Eindhoven, agrees: “There will not be a car that completely takes over all our tasks.”
Elon Musk, on the other hand, predicted that by 2020 all Tesla’s will have SEA level 5 thanks to the new Full Self Driving Chip. In 2023 we know that its performance is indeed impressive. Tesla may therefore be the first car to be accredited at SAE level 3. That is not yet SAE level 5. The question is whether Elon Musk minds that much!  

The priorities of the automotive industry

For established automotive companies, the priority is to sell as many cars as possible and not to make a driver redundant. The main objective is therefore to achieve SAE levels 2 and possibly 3. The built-in functions such as automatic lane changing, keeping distance, and passing will contribute to the safe use of cars, if drivers learn to use them properly. Research shows that drivers are willing to pay an average of around $2,500 for these amenities. That is different from the $15,000 that the beta version of Tesla's Full Self Driving system costs.
The automotive industry is in a phase of adjusting expectations, temporizing investments, downsizing involved business units, and looking for partnerships. GM and Honda are collaborating on battery development; BMW, Volkswagen and Daimler are in talks to share R&D efforts for autonomous vehicles; and Ford and VW have stopped developing an autonomous car and are working together on more realistic ambitions.  

Safety issues at SAE level 3

But even with a focus on SAE level 3, the problems do not go away. The biggest safety problem may well lie at this level. Elon Musk has suggested for years that Tesla's autopilot would allow drivers to read a book or watch a movie. All they must do is stay behind the wheel. They must be able to take control of the car if the automatic system indicates that it can no longer handle the situation. Studies in test environments show that in this case the reaction time of drivers is far too long to prevent disaster. An eye on the road and a hand on the wheel is still mandatory everywhere in the world, except in  few paces for cars accredited at SEA level 4 under specified conditions.
The assumption is that the operating system is so accurate that it indicates in time that it considers the situation too complex. But there are still many doubts as to whether these systems themselves are sufficiently capable of properly assessing the situation on the road at all times. Recent research from King's College London showed that pedestrian detection systems are 20% more accurate when dealing with white adults than when dealing with children and 7.5% more accurate when dealing with white people compared to people with dark skin.
In the next post I will go into more detail about the legislation and what the future may bring.

You still can download for free my newest e-book '25 building blocks to create better streets, neighborhoods and cities' by following the link below

Participating in a COP28 side event organized by the European Commission, the Amsterdam Region delved into Local Green Deals as instrument for achieving the green transition. The primary goal for the session was to uncover actionable strategies and prerequisites essential for fostering public-private collaboration to realize the sustainability transition. Marja Ruigrok, vice-mayor for the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, represented the Amsterdam Region alongside political and business leaders from Braga (Portugal), Aalborg (Denmark) and Skelleftea (Sweden).
 
Commencing the session, Valentina Superti, DG for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship, and SMEs at the European Commission, highlighted Europe's ambition to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This necessitates a transformative shift towards sustainability, digitalization, and resilience, which is why the Commission is introducing critical legislation like the Net-Zero Industry Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act.
 
Ruigrok shared insights from the Amsterdam Metropolitan Region’s efforts in establishing Local Green Deals, emphasizing her role as political ambassador and champion for the Green Deal Bikes initiative. She stressed the importance of cycling, explaining that despite its reputation as a cycling paradise, approximately 20% of young people in the Amsterdam Region can not ride a bike: “If you don’t learn to ride a bike at a young age, you are also much less likely to use a bike for commuting later in life. That’s why in this Green Deal, we stimulate young people to learn to ride bikes, and encourage employers to support commuting by bike. This is crucial because employees who bike take on average 2.5 fewer sick days compared to those who don’t bike.”
 
Reflecting on success factors, Ruigrok emphasized the need for political commitment, and clear project ownership: "From a political point of view, you need long term commitment, and you have to create ownership. Someone has to take ownership and say ‘this is my project.’ This might be a governmental agency, a company, a knowledge institution, or civil society organisation - but someone has to take the lead. Otherwise, you will continue to talk, and nothing will happen."
 
Throughout the session, participants provided practical insights and recommendations for fostering successful public-private collaborations in general, and Local Green Deals in specific:

• Lasse Frimand Jensen, mayor of the City of Aalborg, emphasized the necessity of accountability mechanisms: “Mutual commitment is necessary and there must be mechanisms in place to keep each other accountable.”
• Ricardo Rio, mayor of City of Braga and Member of the European Committee of the Regions, highlighted the role of local authorities in mobilizing capacity and engaging stakeholders: “Local authorities need to have the spirit to engage stakeholders and shape partnerships. We  also need governance models that tranced political cycles, and that allow people to participate and hold us accountable.”
• Jens Broberg, representing the business sector, emphasized the urgent need for appropriate incentives: “Governments must use policy frameworks to incentivize and regulate businesses and industry towards a green economy.”
• Evelina Fahlesson, vice-mayor of Skelleftea Municipality emphasized the need for open and honest dialogue: “As a municipality, you have to be open about your challenges and willing to start a dialogue with your citizens and companies. Use procurement and new financing models as tools to implement a shared vision.”
• David Nordberg, from Skanska Sweden, encouraged business leaders to align their business models with sustainability ambitions: "Be brave: try new ways of doing business and work in collaborations. In the long term, there is no conflict between sustainability and the economy."

The session highlighted the pivotal role of collaborative multi-stakeholder partnerships in achieving the green transition, emphasizing sustained political commitment, robust governance structures transcending political timelines, and policy frameworks incentivising sustainable businesses.

In the context of COP28, the true challenge lies in replicating these successful approaches on a wider scale, extending beyond the relatively affluent European context to a global landscape with more limited resources. In many regions, the urgent and acute impacts of climate change are already pervasive, amplifying the need for swift, comprehensive action. This necessitates a global and concerted effort of nations and industries, to surmount the hurdles posed by resource scarcity and varying levels of socio-economic development. This calls for collaboration not only within regions but across continents, fostering knowledge-sharing, technology transfer, and collective efforts in tackling climate challenges. The urgency of the climate crisis demands a united global front, where the lessons learned and successes achieved in Local Green Deals can serve as guiding principles towards a more sustainable and resilient future for all.

Since mid-2022, Cruise and Waymo have been allowed to offer a ride-hailing service without a safety driver in a quiet part of San Francisco from 11pm to 6am. The permit has now been extended to the entire city throughout the day. The company has 400 cars and Waymo 250. So far, it has not been an unqualified success.  

A turbulent start

In a hilarious incident, an empty taxi was pulled over by police; it stopped properly, but kept going after a few seconds, leaving the officers wondering if they should give chase. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating this incident, as well as several others involving Cruise taxis stalling at intersections, and the Fire Department reports 60 incidents involving autonomous taxis.

Pending further investigation, both companies are only allowed to operate half of their fleet. In addition to the fire department and public transport companies, trade unions are also opposed to the growth of autonomous taxis. California's governor has rejected the objections, fearing that BigTech will swap the state for more car-friendly ones. It is expected that autonomous taxis will gradually enter all major US cities, at a rate just below that of Uber and Lyft.
 
Cruise has already hooked another big fish: In the not-too-distant future, the company will be allowed to operate autonomous taxis in parts of Dubai.
The number of autonomous taxi services in the world can still be counted on one hand. Baidu has been offering ride-hailing services in Wuhan since December 2022, and robot taxis have been operating in parts of Shenzen since then.
Singapore was the first city in the world to have several autonomous taxis operating on a very small scale. These were developed by nuTonomy, an MIT spin-off, but the service is still in an experimental phase. Another company, Mobileye, also plans to start operating in Singapore this year.
The same company announced in 2022 that it would launch a service in Germany in 2023 in partnership with car rental company Sixt 6, but nothing more has been heard. A survey by JD Power found that almost two-thirds of Germans do not trust 'self-driving cars'. But that opinion could change quickly if safety is proven and the benefits become clear.  

What is it like to drive a robotaxi?

Currently, the group of robotaxi users is still small, mainly because the range is limited in space and time. The first customers are early adopters who want to experience the ride.
 
Curious readers: Here you can drive a Tesla equipped with the new beta 1.4 self-driving system, and here you can board a robotaxi in Shenzhen.
 
The robotaxis work by hailing: You use an app to say where you are and where you want to go, and the computer makes sure the nearest taxi picks you up. Meanwhile, you can adjust the temperature in the car and tune in to your favourite radio station.
Inside the car, passengers will find tablets with information about the journey. They remind passengers to close all doors and fasten their seatbelts. Passengers can communicate with remote support staff at the touch of a button. TV cameras allow passengers to watch. Passengers can end the journey at any time by pressing a button. If a passenger forgets to close the door, the vehicle will do it for them.
The price of a ride in a robotaxi is just below the price of a ride with Uber or Lyft. The price level is strongly influenced by the current high purchase price of a robotaxi, which is about $175,000 more than a regular taxi. Research shows that people are willing to give up their own cars if robotaxis are available on demand and the rides cost significantly less than a regular taxi. But then the road is open for a huge increase in car journeys, CO2 emissions and the cannibalisation of public transport, which I previously called the horror scenario.  

Roboshuttles

In some cities, such as Detroit, Austin, Stockholm, Tallinn and Berlin, as well as Amsterdam and Rotterdam, minibuses operate without a driver, but usually with a safety officer on board. They are small vehicles with a maximum speed of 25 km/h, which operate in the traffic lane or on traffic-calmed streets and follow a fixed route. They are usually part of pilot projects exploring the possibilities of this mode of transport as a means of pre- and post-transport.

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In an autonomous car from SAE level 4, perception equipment – the eyes and ears – and software take over human brain functions. This requires accurate maps, laser, radar, lidar and cameras. The lidar, which means 'detect light and range', works in conjunction with the car's cameras. This system pulses laser waves to map the distance to objects day and night, up to up to 100 meters with an accuracy of a few centimeters. The price of all this equipment is between €150,000 and €200,000. The lidar is a high-cost item, although this system is becoming increasingly cheaper due to industrial production. Together, these tools build a four-dimensional image of the environment, and all functions of the moving car are controlled using stored software and communications in the cloud.  

Google/Waymo

Google's X-lab began developing an autonomous car in 2009. In 2016, the company had already completed more than 1.5 million test kilometers and spent $1.1 billion on the development of an autonomous car. The company previously used a self-developed model ('the firefly', see photo). The company then deployed converted Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids, and these will be exchanged for fully electric Jaguar I-Pace cars.
In 2016, Google's parent company Alphabet parlayed autonomous car developments into a new company called Waymo (derived from "a new way of mobility").  

General motorcycles/cruise

Cruise was founded in 2013 with the intention of developing a self-driving car. In 2016, General Moters acquired the company for an amount of $500 million. To date, the company has completed 700,000 test miles in San Francisco's urban environment with no fatalities.

Uber

In 2016, Uber began working with Volvo to develop an autonomous car that could serve as a taxi. The company had acquired software manufacturer Otto for a net $600 million. The company predicted that there will be 75,000 self-driving cars on the road by 2019. That became zero. During the test phase, the company experienced several accidents, including one with a fatal outcome. In addition, Waymo became a target of data theft, a case that was decided in Waymo's favor by the court. Uber therefore had to pay damages of €250 million (in shares). This led to the departure of Uber founder Travis Kalanick. His successor, Dara Khosrowshahi, has put the development of an autonomous car on the back burner. It was recently announced that Uber has signed a contract with Waymo to use this company's autonomous cars in the future.  

Tesla

Until recently, the use of lidar was not possible due to the high costs for car manufacturers that opt for accreditation at SAE level 3. Tesla therefore equipped its cars exclusively with radar, cameras and computer vision. The latter means that all driving Teslas transmit camera images of traffic and the way in which motorists react to 'the cloud'. The company has been developing these images with artificial intelligence for years. It prides itself on the fact that its cars have rules of conduct for every conceivable traffic situation.
The development of the Tesla was accompanied by high expectations but also by many accidents, some of which were fatal. Last year, Tesla made available a beta version of the FSD ("Full Self Driving") software package for a price of $15,000. However, the company had to recall as many as 362,000 cars under the authority of the Traffic Safety Administration because this package was encouraging illegal driving. It looks like that these issues have been resolved and some experts have suggested that Tesla will be able to qualify for accreditation at least at SEA Level 3. This still has to happen.  

Ford and Volkswagen

These companies threw in the towel in 2022 and unplugged Argo, a company that was supposed to develop an autonomous car to provide SAE level 4 taxi services. Instead, both companies announced focusing on the SAE levels 2 and 3, like most auto makers.
 
According to analysts at AlixPartners, the industry has invested $100 billion in developing car automation by 2023, in addition to $250 billion in development of electric cars. I will discus the profitability of these investments later.