Jill Vink

What do you actually need to make a shoe? And how can this production process be as sustainable and cost-efficient as possible? During our 25th Knowledge and Demo Day, Cenex Netherlands organized a workshop aimed at testing and improving their ‘Life Cycle Assessment’ (LCA) game. During this session, we set out to design a black Converse shoe.

How does the game work?

The LCA game revolves around raising awareness of the raw materials, production steps, and environmental impacts involved in making a product. Each team represents a fictional country, with access to specific resources like oil and wind energy. Players roll dice to acquire budgets, select materials (such as cotton, rubber, wool, etc.), and negotiate to perform processes like spinning and stitching. Green energy use is rewarded, while fossil fuels incur extra costs. Through this, teams gain insight into the trade-offs of sustainable and affordable production.

Key Takeaways and feedback from the session

This interactive session provided valuable feedback:
• Complexity: New players may find the game overwhelming. A suggestion to clearly indicate necessary materials and steps right from the start would make it more accessible, ensuring all participants start with a shared understanding.
• Focus on the core message: The core message — making the production process understandable — should be central. Fewer cards and a simpler setup would make the game more effective.
• Solutions and improvements: The game aims to provide a realistic view of the production process. Achieving a balance between detail and simplicity is essential to keep the focus on product development and sustainability.

Why participate?

During the session, we learned not only about product design but also discovered the challenges involved in sustainable material use and production processes. The game encouraged discussion, negotiation, and, most importantly, reflection on our role in sustainability. Whether on the team that won through a sustainable approach or not, all participants gained a crucial insight: the journey to sustainable production chains begins with awareness.

Do you want to learn more about the LCA game? Leave a comment below and we’ll connect you with Sanne or Pablo from Cenex Netherlands!

How do you connect different worlds, break down barriers, and foster collaboration where obstacles seem to dominate? During an inspiring Knowledge session led by Dr. Gertjan de Groot, we explored the world of 'Boundary Spanners' — the bridge-builders who tackle societal challenges with creative solutions. In an era where collaboration is essential, the role of the boundary spanner is more important than ever. Luckily the room was full of them.

What is a Boundary Spanner?

A Boundary Spanner is a professional skilled in bridging domain boundaries within complex urban challenges. Their role involves making collaboration between diverse stakeholders — with different interests and goals — both productive and forward-moving. This is precisely the type of work we engage in at Amsterdam InChange.

During the session, participants were asked to reflect on the types of boundaries they encounter in their professional practices. The responses ranged from financial constraints and cultural norms to conflicting interests and the limits of what people are accustomed to.

Three Dimensions of Boundaries

According to Dr. Gertjan de Groot, every boundary encountered in collaborations has three key dimensions:

• Social dimension – Relationships between people: who knows whom? How does "us" relate to "them"?
• Cognitive dimension – Differences in knowledge, ideas, interpretations, and beliefs.
• Material dimension – Aspects like ownership, authority, resources such as money, and capacity.

Bridging these boundaries requires different actions for each dimension. An interesting example discussed during the session involved a collaboration within the municipality, where three groups were working together. As one group grew closer, the gap between them and the other groups widened. This illustrates how overcoming boundaries can sometimes create new ones.

Dealing with Boundaries

Participants were also asked the question: "How do you deal with the boundaries you encounter in your professional practice?" Some of the responses included:

• Actively listening and staying alert to keep everyone involved.
• Understanding the other party’s perspective by asking questions and making issues discussable.
• Respecting differing opinions and recognizing when a boundary is reached.

The discussion led to the insight that boundaries are not inherently problematic, but they can become an issue if the other party is not included in the process. A boundary protects something, and it's essential to understand what exactly it is protecting.

Mechanisms to Bridge Boundaries

So how do you cross these boundaries and bring people closer together? Dr. Gertjan de Groot outlined four mechanisms to effectively bridge boundaries:

• Intermediating between boundaries (connecting, translating, acquiring).
• Developing joint practices.
• Creating boundary objects.
• Establishing a shared language and mindset.

The key takeaway here: don't rely on just one mechanism. Experiment with multiple ways of collaborating.

Research Conclusions

The session concluded with several insights from the research on boundary spanners:

• Bridging boundaries often also means creating new ones.
• Intermediation is essential (connecting, translating, and acquiring).
• Without boundary-spanning practices, collaboration simply won’t work.
• Boundary objects have a limited lifespan.
• Deviate from traditional ways of working.
• Experiment with all four mechanisms; don’t rely on just one.
• Boundary spanners must be consciously competent; although there's a wealth of individual knowledge, there's still too little shared understanding.

Dr. Gertjan de Groot is also working on turning this into a game. They are currently looking for partners to collaborate on its development and implementation. The required investment is €5,000 per partner.

Do you want to learn more about Boundary Spanners or get in contact with Dr. Gertjan de Groot about the game? Leave a comment below and we’ll connect you with him!

Summer in Amsterdam is not only a time for relaxation and fun but also an opportunity to participate in innovative and inspiring events. Whether you are interested in sustainability, culture, technology, or just looking for something unique to do, this summer, Amsterdam offers a range of activities you won't want to miss. Here are some tips to make your summer in Amsterdam smart and engaging.

1. Stargazing evening

Location: Anton Pannekoek Institute, Amsterdam

What’s the ideal way to end a perfect summer evening? Exactly — by spending it stargazing. Come stargaze at the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy on August 16. If it’s clear that evening, you can observe the moon and Saturn, among other things. Not clear? No problem: on the tour, led by a passionate student or staff member, you'll get to see images they've captured in the star domes and have the chance to ask all your burning questions about astronomy, telescopes, and science.

More information: Stargazing event

2. Theatre Performance SILO 8

Location: Vis à Vis Theatre, Almere

For a unique cultural experience, visit the theatre performance SILO 8 by theatre company Vis à Vis. A play about the dismantling of the welfare state, which in 2024 might be more relevant than ever. What will the nursing home of the future look like? This show combines theatre, music, and spectacular sets in a post-apocalyptic setting. An experience that will make you think about our pursuit of efficiency and how this affects our healthcare system.

More information: Theatre Performance SILO 8

3. Exhibition: Food for Thought

Location: Scheepsvaartmuseum, Amsterdam

Explore the food industry through the lens of photographer Kadir van Lohuizen in the exhibition ‘Food for Thought’. In a multimedia experience featuring photography and film, you’re taken on a journey to discover the origins of our food and the role of the Netherlands and maritime shipping in the food system. An exhibition that will make you think twice about what you put on your plate that evening.

More information: Exhibition: Food for Thought

4. Open-Air Cinema at NEMO

Location: NEMO Science Museum, Amsterdam

Enjoy films under the stars at NEMO Science Museum's open-air cinema. In August, films are shown on the roof of NEMO, combined with a beautiful view of the city. It's the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy a cinematic experience in a unique setting. The program details are still to come, but be sure to save the dates: August 29, 30, and 31.

More information: Open-Air Cinema at NEMO

5. Mezrab Friday Night Storytelling (Summer Edition)

Location: Mezrab, Amsterdam

Get carried away by stories during Mezrab Friday Night Storytelling (Summer Edition). Mezrab is known for its lively and diverse storytelling events, where storytellers from all over the world share their tales. This summer edition promises special stories and a cozy atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed evening out. Plus, enjoy their delicious ice cream.

More information: Mezrab Friday Night Storytelling (Summer Edition)

6. Amsterdam is Hot: 3-day Summer School by MIT Senseable City Lab

Location: AMS Institute, Amsterdam

Cities are heating up. Figuring out how to beat the heat and tackle climate change will be more important than ever. Participate in the three-day summer school ‘Amsterdam is Hot’, organised by MIT Senseable City Lab. This summer school offers an in-depth exploration of urban technology and innovation. You will investigate the role of urban green in thermal comfort, what sensing tools can be leveraged to understand the problem, identify design principles that could be applied, and much more. Note: Accessible to students only.

More information: Amsterdam is Hot: 3-day Summer School by MIT Senseable City Lab

Don’t forget to explore our platform for more events and experiences. Got any other must-see smart city activities for the summer? Drop your recommendations in the comments and join the conversation!

Creating social value for all is one of Amsterdam Smart City's core values. That's why we invited Dave van Loon and Marieke Doorninck from our partner Kennisland to lead a knowledge session on social innovation. In their words, social innovation can help us approach processes differently, encouraging people to think in new ways.

What is Social Innovation?

“Those who are closest to the issue know the most about it,” said Marieke. Therefore, Kennisland designs solutions for complex societal issues together with those involved. According to Kennisland, social innovation is about creating better outcomes for people, contributing to an inclusive and sustainable society. It involves the development and implementation of new strategies, concepts, ideas, and organizations that provide solutions for major societal challenges. Collaboration is essential in this process; it is not about individual actions but about collective efforts within a specific context. “Social innovation is not so much about finding the best solution,” emphasized Dave, “but about the process where the right people come together and collectively decide what the best solution is.” This also implies a shift in power: giving the lead role to others instead of those who have always had it.

Key Principles of Social Innovation Include:

• Creating social value (not just economic)
• Considering different perspectives and values
• Making policies and solutions through action
• Mobilizing involved citizens to build a socially sustainable future

Social innovation provides answers to complex social problems that cannot be solved by the government and business sector alone. The concept refers to new strategies, concepts, ideas, and organizations that provide solutions for major societal challenges. Additionally, it’s about creating a positive cycle of learning and improvement, involving all relevant actors in the issue.

Social Innovation In Practice

How does social innovation work in practice? Dave provided a successful example from Kennisland: ‘Amsterdam zoekt Schoolmakers' (Amsterdam is looking for Schoolmakers). This was a crowdsourcing campaign and incubator for new school initiatives. In this project, every Amsterdammer had the opportunity to submit a plan for a new school to accommodate the expected growth in student numbers. The challenge eventually resulted in over 124 initiatives for new schools and served as the starting point for a broader dialogue about education in the city. “This is a good example of social innovation because radical innovators and system representatives could learn from each other,” said Dave. A very interesting project that stimulates bottom-up innovation and shows what is possible.

During the session, other successful examples of social innovation were shared by the audience. One of these examples was the wellbeing dashboard, developed by students from the Hogeschool van Amsterdam in collaboration with residents of the ‘G-buurt’ in Amsterdam Zuidoost. This dashboard monitors the residents' wellbeing and actively involves them in co-creation sessions.

Social Innovation and Amsterdam Smart City

Collaboration is essential in addressing complex issues within the Amsterdam Smart City network. A good example of this is grid congestion. The problem is so complex that collaboration between grid operators, governments, energy suppliers, businesses, and citizens is necessary.

According to Marieke, it’s essential for people to truly feel the urgency of the problems. This sense of necessity motivates them to embrace social innovation and come to solutions together. She concluded the session by emphasizing that the great challenges of our time can only be addressed through collective efforts.

Do you want to learn more about social innovation or get in contact with Kennisland? Leave a comment below and we’ll connect you with Dave and Marieke!