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.

Sunday - 3 November

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).

Monday – 4 November

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.

Tuesday 5 November

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).

Wednesday 6 November

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)

Thursday 7 November

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.

From Baltimore to Glasgow to Amsterdam

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.”

Young Changemakers

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.”

What Moves Jan?

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.”

How Does the Future Move?

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.

Waarom Amsterdam InChange?

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.

Online Community

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.

Amsterdam Smart City continues as Amsterdam InChange and this is why

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.

Why Amsterdam InChange?

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.

Online Community

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.

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!

On September 26th, our community gathered in the AHK Culture Club at Marineterrein Amsterdam for our Datadilemma’s series. This edition focused on the use of Data and AI to create a more accessible Amsterdam. This article presents some of the key highlights and insights from the afternoon.

Together with the three speakers, Vishruth Krishnan, Hans Voerknecht, Michiel Bontenbal, and our audience we discussed how data and AI can help make our city more accessible for all. Which dilemma’s do we encounter when we use new technologies for an accessible city? How can data help to get more understanding of unequal access to mobility in the country? And what about sounds and noise pollution; how can data help make te city more livable?

What the three speakers had in common; a personal motivation to get away from the surface and dive deeper into the data, attempting to get closer to people’s experiences and perceptions. From an ordinary routeplanner, to one paying specific attention to challenges for people in weelchairs. From generic accesibility data for the region, to data highlighting the unequal distribution of access to mobility. And from recording noise levels, to measuring and classifying all different sounds in urban settings. In the paragraphs below, I will delve deeper into the different speakers and their topics.
 
Visruth Krishnan – Personalized Route Planner for People in a Wheelchair
To help individuals with limited mobility navigate the city more easily, the city’s innovation department has developed a prototype route planning tool. This route planner maps out the most accessible routes based on personal needs, considering preferences like maximum curb height at crossings, minimum sidewalk width, and whether to prioritize sidewalks or bike paths.

Visruth Krishnan, Data Scientist at the Innovation Department of the Municipality of Amsterdam, explained how data helps facilitate travel from point A to point B. However, to ensure route planning tools address the challenges faced by wheelchair users, we must feed these systems with data drawn from real-world experiences. A person’s journey might present specific challenges, such as detours, improperly parked bicycles, slopes, and narrow footpaths.

Working with a group of wheelchair users, Visruth studied the obstacles and experiences they encountered on their routes. This research generated precise data to feed the route planner, enabling it to provide personalized route suggestions that account for each individual’s freedom of movement.
Visruth presented several dilemmas encountered during the project:

1. Subjectivity in the data: How busy is a sidewalk or intersection perceived to be? Are cyclists at a certain point fast and aggressive, or is that just a feeling?
2. Minimal vs. comprehensive data collection: How much data should be gathered? While more data might provide deeper insights, it could also increase privacy risks.
3. Accurate vs. timely data: Timely data may not always be accurate, and accurate data may not always be available in time for critical decision-making. Consider issues like illegally parked bikes, construction work, and terraces that vary in size and location depending on the season.
4. Transparency vs. complexity: How transparent should data-driven processes be, especially when the algorithms or analytics behind them are complex? AI is often seen as a "black box"—people don’t understand how it works or how data is processed, which can lead to less trust from the start.

To address these challenges, Visruth and his team maintain an ongoing dialogue with the target audience. It’s an iterative process, and they keep the ‘human in the loop.’ The prototype is now ready, and hopefully, it can be further developed!
 
Hans Voerknecht – Unequal Accesibility and Data to Support The Narrative
Hans Voerknecht, strategist for sustainable accessibility at Een Nieuwe Kijk, presented the Integrated Perspective on Accessibility method, which he developed to get a deeper understanding of people’s accessibility. This method assists in collecting data and analyzing the severity of current inequalities and the effects of policy measures. The method has already been applied in nearly twenty projects, including four in the Amsterdam region, such as the Multimodal Future Vision of the Metropoolregio Amsterdam (MRA).

IKOB stands for "Integrale Kijk Op Bereikbaarheid" (Integrated Perspective/view on Accessibility). IKOB examines the travel time and costs that people face to reach their workplace by bike, car, or public transport and it visualizes how many jobs people can access from a specific area.

IKOB uses 'distance decay curves<strong>,'</strong> meaning that jobs located closer are given more weight than those further away. Travel time and costs are adjusted depending on the target group. Factors considered include income, access to a car, travel cost reimbursement, public transport options, and preference for a mode of transport (car, public transport, or bike). For people with a lower income, costs weigh more heavily than for those with higher incomes.

Throughout his talk, Hans discussed how data can be used to support a narrative, either consciously or unconsciously. Regional research on the state of mobility can quickly paint a positive picture if you're working with averages and fail to examine differences between people. There are groups that experience less access to mobility, and for whom this issue carries more weight due to financial constraints. The way data is researched and how deeply you investigate determines to what extent this group and their challenges are brought into focus.

One of the dilemmas Hans mentioned was the fact that poor accessibility is a personal experience. It’s subjective, and there can be a lot behind it. Regardless of the detail and quality of your data, you can never be completely sure if it truly reflects the human experience it’s supposed to represent.
 
Michiel Bontenbal – The Urban Sounds Sensor
Our third and final speaker discussed sounds and noise pollution in an urban environment. It may not seem to immediately fit with the rest of the speakers, but urban sound is also important to consider when creating an accessible and liveable city.  Michiel Bontenbal, lecturer in business and IT courses at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, told us more about the Urban Sounds sensor, developed in collaboration with the volunteer organization Sensemakers. He explained us more about the challenges they face with this AI-driven solution and raised some dilemmas in his work.

The Urban Sounds Sensor project was developed in response to the need for evidence of nighttime noise disturbances. It was crucial to be able to distinguish between different types of sounds, such as music, mopeds, alarms, doors, car noises, and honking.

Together with the volunteers from Sensemakers, Michiel designed the sensor in such a way that the recorded sounds are neither stored nor released. The microphone registers the sound, and the algorithm in the sensor immediately categorizes it within the device. This approach ensures privacy by design.

Training the sensor is still an ongoing process. Achieving high accuracy is challenging, as even humans sometimes have trouble identifying certain sounds. And, while measuring noise disturbances is definitely getting more attention in the city now. However, this specific method of distinguishing between sound categories is still lagging behind in both development and interest from government authorities.

Michiel concluded his presentation by discussing his dilemmas with the audience. One of his dilemmas, as expected, was about placing microphones in public spaces; how desirable is that, really? It's important to talk about ethics and privacy when measuring in public spaces, especially with a sound sensor that isn’t visible. His second point focused on the experience of city sounds. How you perceive sounds depends on personal experiences and preferences. Some people enjoy urban sounds, like the noise of a tram or ringing bike bells. People may have associations with certain sounds that determine whether they find them annoying, don't even notice them, or actually enjoy them. This is a factor that a sound sensor and the data it collects have difficulty accounting for.
 
Panel Discussion
After the presentations, we brought the speakers together for a panel discussion. Led by Chris de Veer, programme manager Mobility at Amsterdam InChange, there was an engaging conversation with the audience. To wrap things up, I’d like to highlight three key statements made by the speakers in response to some critical questions from the audience:

1. "We often try to objectify the world with data, but there is no objective truth. However, diving deep into data can give you a better and more diverse understanding of an issue or region." – Hans
2. "Data is always messy. If the data we input is messy, the outcome will also be messy. Garbage in, garbage out." – Michiel
3. “The Route Planner method and platform could be of great use in gaining a better overview of building accessibility throughout the city.” - Visruth

Thanks to the speakers for their stories and to the audience for the lively discussions afterwards. Want to join us for our next Data Dilemmas event? The next edition of this series of open events will be announced soon. We’re also always open to new themes and topics for this series; we’re curious to hear about the data dilemmas you encounter in your work!

Voor onze aankomende Kennis- en Demodag zijn we te gast bij Kennispartner AMS Institute, onze buren op het Marineterrein! AMS werkt hier aan innovatieve oplossingen om de metropool leefbaar, duurzaam, veerkrachtig en inclusief te maken. 'Reinventing the city' noemen ze dit. Op 10 oktober vindt hier ook een Mobility Fair plaats, georganiseerd door onze partner Cenex. We zullen enkele programma onderdelen combineren. Hierover later meer!

Over onze Kennis- en Demodagen

De Amsterdam InChange Demodagen zijn regelmatig terugkerende middagen bedoeld om de voortgang van de verschillende innovatieprojecten aan elkaar te presenteren, hulpvragen op tafel te leggen, dilemma’s te delen en meer partners te betrekken bij een project en deze vraagstukken verder te brengen.

Verder hebben we weer onze gebruikelijke werksessies waarin we een aantal vragen met een kleine groep grondiger behandelen. De Demodag wordt voorafgegaan door een Kennissessie waarvoor deelname optioneel is. We sluiten af met een hapje en drankje. De middagen kenmerken zich door een zeer open en vrolijke sfeer.

Agenda

12:30 – 12:45 uur: Inloop Kennissessie
12:45 – 13:45 uur: Kennissessie
13:45 - 14:00 uur: Inloop Demodag
14:00 - 16:30 uur: Demodag (Werksessies & Pitches)
Vanaf 16.45 uur: Afsluitende hapjes en drankjes

Programma

Kennissessie:

Boundery Spanners | Dr. Gertjan de Groot (Onderzoeker en docent aan de Hogeschool van Amsterdam)
Ben je ook een grensoverbrugger? Ben je ook altijd bezig met verschillende partijen met verschillende belangen, verschillende denkbeelden en verschillende manieren van werken bij elkaar te brengen? Gaat dat je over het algemeen goed af, maar lukt het soms niet? En ben je nieuwsgierig naar wat je nog meer of anders zou kunnen doen, om het wel te laten slagen?

In deze kennissessie vertelt Dr. Gertjan de Groot welke handelingsmogelijkheden uit twee jaar onderzoek naar boundary spanners in vijf (werk)praktijken in Amsterdam naar voren kwamen.

Werksessies:

Circulair | Een marktplaats voor gebruikte bedrijfsassets | Catharina Driesse (Alliander)
Alliander heeft in de afgelopen jaren flinke stappen gemaakt om hun bedrijfsvoering meer circulair te maken. Gebruikte assets zoals transformatoren, schakelinstallaties, gasstraten en gereedschap worden zo veel mogelijk opgeslagen en hergebruikt binnen eigen bedrijf. Nu wil Alliander ook kijken of het mogelijk is om deze assets aan andere bedrijven door te geven. Ze onderzoeken bestaande marktplaatsplatforms en constateren dat het helpt om een netwerk van bedrijven te hebben waarmee ze snel contact kunnen hebben. Daarbij is er een enorme uitdaging op welke manier de overgebleven assets geregistreerd moeten worden.
In deze werksessie onderzoeken we of er bij andere partijen in ons netwerk of er ervaring is met het delen van assets al dan niet via een markplaats, wat daarbij komt kijken en of we een gezamenlijk netwerk hebben waarin behoefte is aan overgebleven materialen van een netbeheerder.

Energie | Veiligheid in de Energietransitie | Johan de Vries (Brandweer Amsterdam-Amstelland | Veiligheidsregio Amsterdam-Amstelland) en Tommy Borger (Gemeente Amsterdam)
De energietransitie is in volle gang, wat betekent dat elektrische auto’s, zonnepanelen, batterijopslag, etc. steeds meer een onderdeel worden van het dagelijks leven. Wat we alleen soms vergeten is dat dit nieuwe of ander soortige veiligheidsrisico’s met zich meebrengt. Elektrische auto’s kunnen bijvoorbeeld niet zomaar geblust worden. Helaas worden deze veiligheidsrisico’s niet altijd goed meegenomen in projecten in de energietransitie, of alleen maar achteraf.
Daarom neemt Johan ons in deze werksessie mee in het onderwerp van veiligheid in de energietransitie. Samen onderzoeken we wat er voor nodig is om veiligheid mee te nemen in energietransitieprojecten, zonder deze af te remmen.

Mobiliteit | Welke onzekerheden zijn zeker? Werken met scenario’s in mobiliteit | Parvin Hoseini en Rombout Huisman (Provincie Noord-Holland)
Na een vergelijkbare sessie van de Gemeente Amsterdam over de toekomst van OV afgelopen Demodag, gaat de provincie Noord-Holland in deze werksessie in op het gebruik van mobiliteitsscenario’s om meer grip te krijgen op de ontwikkelingen die mobiliteit beïnvloeden. Denk hierbij aan demografische ontwikkelingen (groeit de provincie of krijgen we te maken met krimp?), ruimtelijk-economische ontwikkelingen (wat gebeurt er bijv. met Tata Steel en Schiphol?) en innovaties (komt die autonome auto er daadwerkelijk en hoeveel drones komen erbij in ons luchtruim?), om er maar een paar te noemen. De scenario’s van de provincie hebben tien strategische inzichten voor mobiliteit opgeleverd waar de provincie de komende jaren mee aan de slag gaat. De werksessie gaat over het proces van scenario-maken maar zal ook ingaan op de verschillende toekomsten die in het verschiet liggen. Denk en discussieer hierover mee tijdens deze Demodag.

Algemeen | Life Cycle Assesments: How to make LCA’s tangible for everyone | Pablo Decelis en Sanne van Breukelen (Cenex NL)
Meer info volgt.

Pitches

Coding the Curbs | Smart Zones | Jaap Tjebbes
Jaap Tjebbes neemt je mee in de wereld van Smart Zones: digitale, multifunctionele ruimtes die steden leefbaarder en toegankelijker maken. Coding the Curbs is de pionier in Europa op het gebied van digitaal beheer van openbare ruimtes. Ons platform biedt mensen een eenvoudige manier om publieke ruimte te reserveren en flexibel in te zetten—van een logistiek knooppunt in de ochtend tot een sfeervol terras in de middag. Ontdek hoe onze digitale technologie in steden als Utrecht, Kopenhagen en Boekarest bijdraagt aan het beter benutten van elke vierkante meter, en zo ruimte creëert in steeds drukker wordende binnensteden.

Alderli | Een camera die met behulp van AI vallen detecteert | Jacob Vermeule en Stijn Vos
Alderli is een IoT-systeem dat vallen van ouderen detecteert met behulp van een infraroodcamera. Het product herkent een val en waarschuwt verzorgers zonder inbreuk op de privacy van de gevallen persoon. Ze zijn druk bezig met het trainen van de camera en hun product naar de markt brengen. Ze komen meer vertellen over hun Start up en hebben een hulpvraag voor het netwerk.

Gemeente Amsterdam | Monitor Circulaire Economie Amsterdam | Jorren Bosga
De circulaire transitie gaat eigenlijk niet over het verminderen van materiaalgebruik, maar om het verminderen van de impact van materiaalgebruik. Het meeste van deze impact vindt elders plaats, en is moeilijk te becijferen. Tegelijkertijd is het essentiële informatie voor het maken van strategische keuzes voor CE-beleid in Amsterdam. Daarom is de Monitor Circulaire Economie van de gemeente Amsterdam nu uitgebreid met inschattingen van de ecologische én sociale impact van materiaalgebruik in de stad. Jorren vertelt in deze pitch alles over de inzichten, aanpak, en volgende stappen.

Klinkt het programma interessant? Kennis-en Demodagen zijn evenementen voor Amsterdam InChange partners. Wil je een keer kennismaken met ons netwerk? Je bent welkom om een keer aan te sluiten. Laat het ons weten en stuur een korte motivatie naar sophie@amsterdamsmartcity.com. De Kennis- en Demodag is van 12:45-16:45 met een borrel na afloop.

ENGLISH BELOW

Gedurende de eerste helft van 2024 werkten we samen met vier studenten van de Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) op het thema Mobiliteitsrechtvaardigheid. Samen met de provincie Noord-Holland waren we als opdrachtgevers onderdeel van een primeur: De eerste interdisciplinaire afstudeerkring van de Hogeschool van Amsterdam. De afstudeerders kwamen vanuit verschillende opleidingen. De groep van vier bestond uit twee Bestuurskunde studenten (Jade Salomons en Timo van Elst), een student Toegepaste Psychologie (Jackie Ippel), en een student Communicatie en Multimedia Design (Merel Thuis).

De HvA wilt haar studenten al vroeg bekend maken met interdisciplinair samenwerken en onderzoeken. Een domein-overstijgend en complex vraagstuk als Mobiliteitsrechtvaardigheid, wat al langere tijd binnen het Amsterdam Smart City netwerk wordt behandeld, bleek een mooi onderwerp voor hun eerste afstudeerkring. Voor zowel de HvA en de opdrachtgevers was er veel nieuw aan dit project en waren er veel onzekerheden, maar vanuit onze waarde ‘leren door te doen’ gingen we samen aan de slag!  
 
Resultaten
Na een kick-off met de leden van de Mobiliteitsrechtvaardigheid werkgroep en verkennende interviews met specialisten van Provincie Noord-Holland vormden de studenten concrete onderzoeksvragen. Na een brede introductie en vraagstelling hebben de studenten een deelonderwerp eigen gemaakt en hun afstudeeropdracht daarop ingericht. Bij deze licht ik kort toe wat de verschillende onderwerpen en resultaten waren. Bij vervolgvragen kunnen jullie mij of Bas Gerbrandy (PNH) een berichtje sturen.

- Timo keek naar het grotere plaatje en bestudeerde hoe het mobiliteitsbeleid in Noord-Holland nu is ingericht, met name met betrekking tot Mobiliteitsarmoede. Ook keek hij hoe participatiemethoden hier nu een rol in had. Hij schreef een advies waarin hij bijvoorbeeld pleit voor het installeren van participatie experts per domein/sector, in plaats van het als een apart team beschouwen.

- Jackie verdiepte zich nog meer in hoe ambtenaren zich verhouden tot de doelgroep die mobiliteitsarmoede kan ervaren. Zij onderzocht de bereidheid van ambtenaren om in gesprek te gaan met de doelgroep. Een belangrijk onderdeel wat velen nog een spannend idee vinden. Ook hielp Jackie mee met Jade’s focusgroep en kwalitatieve onderzoek.

- Jade ging namelijk het veld in. Ze sprak ouderen in Purmerend over hun reiservaringen en wat voor belemmeringen ze ervaren. Haar onderzoek bewees hoe belangrijk dit onderdeel is. Ze lichtten bijvoorbeeld uit dat ouderenvervoer goed geregeld is, maar dat ze angstig kunnen zijn tijdens hun reisbewegingen. Slechte kwaliteit van voetpaden en het snelle optrekken van een bus is waar ze het veel over wilden hebben.

- Ten slotte ging Merel aan de slag met een multidevice ontwerp. Ze creëerde een tool waarmee belevingen van inwoners op persoonlijk niveau uitgevraagd kunnen worden. Vervolgens wordt hierin inzichtelijk en tastbaar gemaakt wat beleidsrisico’s en -kansen zijn voor de sector Mobiliteit van de provincie. Het dient zo als gesprekstool en brug tussen de persoonlijke ervaringen van inwoners en de abstractere en strategische niveau van de beleidsmedewerkers.   
 
Interdisciplinair en organisatie-overstijgend samenwerken
Het is een intensieve periode geweest waarin we het de studenten, en hun afstudeerbegeleiders, niet altijd makkelijk hebben gemaakt. Het project stelde namelijk bloot hoe de afstudeertrajecten en -eisen verschillen per studie en faculteit binnen de HvA. De studenten en docenten gingen hier uiteindelijk soepel mee om, maar dit was zeker wennen voor ze tijdens de start van de afstudeerkring. Ook voor de opdrachtgevers en begeleiders was het een leerproces waarin we samen in een iteratief proces onze werkwijze en opdrachten moesten aanpassen.

Bij veel van de vraagstukken die langskomen in het Amsterdam Smart City netwerk gaat het over het belang van domein overstijgend werken en hoe veel moeite grote (overheids)organisaties hier mee hebben. Juist daarom kijken we tevreden en trots terug op dit proces. Op deze manier hebben we de studenten voor de start van hun carrière al laten kennismaken met het samenwerken op maatschappelijke vraagstukken, met anderen, die vanuit hun eigen expertise, achtergrond en creativiteit naar problemen en oplossingen kijken.   
 
Hogeschool van Amsterdam is op zoek naar een nieuw vraagstuk!
Ook komend jaar (start 2025) gaan we weer met veel enthousiasme aan de slag met een vraagstuk voor een nieuwe lichting afstudeerders. Om het onderwerp verder te brengen en om samen nog meer te leren over interdisciplinair samenwerken aan maatschappelijke vraagstukken. Samen met de HvA zijn we daarom op zoek naar een nieuw maatschappelijk vraagstuk voor de volgende groep afstudeerders. We zijn op zoek naar een onderwerp, maar ook een organisatie die, in combinatie met een ASC collega, als mede-opdrachtgever en begeleider zal optreden. Dit kan uiteraard in samenwerking met andere ASC partners.

Het onderwerp zal eind september bekend moeten zijn. In de weken die daarop volgen, zal de (groeps)opdracht gefinetuned worden en start de werving van geschikte studenten die in 2025 afstuderen.

Voor meer informatie kun je contact opnemen met Marije Poel (m.h.poel@hva.nl), Nora Rodenburg (n.m.rodenburg@hva.nl) of mij (pelle@amsterdamsmartcity.com)  
 
________________________________________

ENGLISH:
 
During the first half of 2024, we collaborated with four students from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) on the theme of Mobility Justice. Together with the Province of North Holland, we had the privilege of being part of a pioneering project: the first interdisciplinary graduation circle at the HvA. The graduates came from different programmes, and the group of four included two Public Administration students (Jade Salomons and Timo van Elst), a student Applied Psychology (Jackie Ippel), and a Communication and Multimedia Design student (Merel Thuis).

The HvA aims to familiarise its students early on with interdisciplinary collaboration and research. A complex, cross-domain issue like Mobility Justice, which has been a topic of focus within the Amsterdam Smart City network for some time (LINK), proved to be an excellent subject for their first graduation circle. For both the HvA and the commissioners of the topic, this project was new and presented many uncertainties, but driven by our value of ‘learning by doing,’ we embarked on this journey together!

Results
Following a kick-off with members of the Mobility Justice working group and exploratory interviews with specialists from the Province of North Holland, the students began to formulate concrete research questions. After a broad introduction and question formulation, each student chose a specific sub-topic to focus on for their graduation project. Below, I briefly outline the different topics and results. For further questions, feel free to contact me or Bas Gerbrandy (PNH, bas.gerbrandy@noord-holland.nl).

- Timo looked at the bigger picture, studying how mobility policy is currently structured in North Holland, particularly concerning Mobility Poverty. He also examined the role of participation methods in this context. In his advisory report, he advocates, for example, the installation of participation experts per domain/sector, rather than considering it as a separate team.

- Jackie delved deeper into how civil servants relate to the target group that may experience mobility poverty. She investigated the willingness of civil servants to engage in dialogue with this group, an essential aspect that many still find daunting. Jackie also assisted with Jade's focus group and qualitative research.

- Jade took to the field, speaking with the elderly in Purmerend about their travel experiences and the barriers they face. Her research highlighted the importance of this issue. For instance, she found that while transport services for the elderly are well-organised, they often feel anxious during their journeys. Poor pavement conditions and the sudden acceleration of buses were frequent topics of concern.

- Finally, Merel worked on a multi-device design. She created a tool that can be used to gather personal experiences from residents. This tool then makes the policy risks and opportunities for the Mobility sector in the province more visible and tangible. It serves as a discussion tool and a bridge between the personal experiences of residents and the more abstract, strategic level of policy officers.

Interdisciplinary and Cross-Organisational Collaboration
It has been an intensive period in which we didn’t always make it easy for the students and their graduation supervisors. The project revealed how graduation trajectories and requirements vary across programmes and faculties within the HvA. The students and lecturers eventually handled this smoothly, but it was certainly an adjustment for them at the start of the graduation circle. It was also a learning process for the supervisors, where we had to iteratively adapt our working methods and assignments together.

Many of the issues that arise in the Amsterdam Smart City network relate to the importance of cross-domain collaboration and the difficulties that large (government) organisations often face with this. That’s why we look back on this process with satisfaction and pride. We have introduced the students to the practice of working on social issues, with others who bring their own expertise, background, and creativity to the table, before the start of their careers.

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences is Looking for a New Topic!
Next year (start of 2025), we will again enthusiastically tackle a new topic with a fresh group of graduates, to further advance the subject and learn even more about interdisciplinary collaboration on social issues. Together with the HvA, we are therefore looking for a new social issue for the next group of graduates. We are searching for a topic, as well as an organisation that, in combination with an ASC colleague, will act as a co-client and supervisor. This can, of course, be in collaboration with other ASC partners.

The topic should be finalised by the end of September. In the weeks after, the (group) assignment will be fine-tuned, and the recruitment of suitable students graduating in 2025 will begin.

For more information, you can contact Marije Poel (m.h.poel@hva.nl), Nora Rodenburg (n.m.rodenburg@hva.nl), or me (pelle@amsterdamsmartcity.com).