Entrepreneurs test innovations during SAIL and Marathon
Public events like SAIL and the Marathon draw millions of visitors to Amsterdam. These events often take place in central locations where large crowds gather. As a result, various logistical arrangements need to be made, such as providing food and drinks, public toilets, and temporary modifications to streets. These situations pose sustainability and accessibility challenges for the city. However, they also make these events ideal testing grounds for innovations.

Testing with the city and event organizers
The In Residence program offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to test their innovations during public events. They work closely with event organizers, the City of Amsterdam, and an experienced mentor. Additionally, funding is available to support the pilot. If the innovation proves to benefit the city, the municipality may purchase it after the program.
Applications are open from October 1 to November 17. Selected entrepreneurs will prepare their pilot in early 2025, and most pilots will take place during the summer events, especially during SAIL 2025.
Apply via the website: https://innovatiepartners.nl/project/in-residence-open-evenementen-2025

Amsterdam 750th anniversary year
This is the second round of the In Residence Events program. During the 2024 event season, nine entrepreneurs tested their innovations, including at Pride Week, the Marathon, and the Dam tot Dam Run. If successful, innovations from both rounds of the program may be implemented during the events of Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary celebrations.

Interested or any questions? You can get in touch with Mark Stoevelaar (mark.stoevelaar@amsterdam.nl)

Photo: Edwin van Eis

Onder het genot van een hapje en drankje organiseren we vanuit het EU Horizon project metaCCAZE op 30 juli de Summer Mobility Talks. Met iedereen die nog niet op vakantie is, gaan we in gesprek over thema’s als autonoom varen, mobility credits, Intelligent Speed Adaptation en multimodale logistiek. De Summer Mobility Talks is een informele bijeenkomst voor iedereen die het leuk vindt om ideeën uit te wisselen over mobiliteit in de stad, én eenmooie gelegenheid om te netwerken. 
 
Vanaf 15:30 uur staan de drankjes koud.
16:00 uur: korte introductie van het EU Horizon project metaCCaze
16:10 – 17:30: uitwisseling over thema’s en netwerken
 
Locatie: 027 Garage Marineterrein Amsterdam (Kattenburgerstraat 5, Amsterdam)
 
Iedereen is welkom om binnen te lopen, maar i.v.m. de catering horen we graag of je komt. Aanmelden kan via het Google Form.

Lees hier meer over het Europese metaCCAZE project.

Met exposities, live muziek, kunst, theater, fotoreportages, workshops, panel discussies en meer!

Laat je nieuwsgierigheid de vrije loop tijdens het snelste festival van de stad: het A Lab POP UP Festival! Voor alle nieuwsgierige Amsterdammers die in deze schrale tijden kunst & cultuur, duurzaamheid en sociale innovatie hoog in het vaandel hebben. Kom kijken hoe onze ruim 300 members aan een zelfredzame toekomst werken. Kinderen? Neem ze mee, want het wordt een feestje!

Intro

Op woensdag 19 juni 2024 vond het trainee event Smart Mobility plaats bij AMS. Verschillende prominente organisaties waren aanwezig, waaronder de provincies Noord-Holland en Utrecht, de Metropoolregio Amsterdam (MRA), het MRA platform Smart Mobility, de Vervoerregio Amsterdam (VRA), en de gemeente Utrecht. Het evenement richtte zich op verschillende thema’s binnen de slimme en schone mobiliteit.

Doelen van het Evenement

Het evenement had drie hoofddoelen:
· Kennis vergaren: Inzicht krijgen in de nieuwste ontwikkelingen en uitdagingen op het gebied van slimme mobiliteit.
· Netwerken: Verbinding maken met professionals uit verschillende regio’s en sectoren.
· Teamwork: Samenwerken aan oplossingen voor actuele mobiliteitsvraagstukken.

Sprekers

Daniël van Motman (VRA en MRA-platform Smart Mobility)

Daniël van Motman gaf een uitgebreide presentatie over de huidige stand van zaken in de woningbouw, de schaarste aan mensen en grondstoffen, en het belang van duurzame samenwerking. Hij benadrukte dat, ondanks technologische vooruitgang, de mens nog steeds de slimste factor blijft in slimme mobiliteit.

Sander Oudbier (AMS)

Sander Oudbier presenteerde verschillende projecten die momenteel lopen binnen AMS, zoals City Flows, Smart Hubs en Code the Streets. Hij besprak ook educatieve initiatieven zoals MaaS for Elderly en het autovrije marine terrein. Een bijzonder project dat werd uitgelicht was de ontwikkeling van Roboat, dat zal worden ingezet tijdens de Olympische Spelen in Parijs. Daarnaast werd het project Digitale Regie op de Openbare Ruimte (DRO) besproken, dat de komende vijf jaar zal lopen vanuit DMI.  

Pelle Menke (Amsterdam Smart City)

Pelle Menke presenteerde de thema’s mobiliteitsrechtvaardigheid en CO2-vrij reizen naar de JC ArenA. Hij benadrukte dat mobiliteit voor veel mensen moeilijker wordt en specifieke subgroepen unieke wensen hebben. Een werkgroep onderzoekt mogelijke oplossingen door kennisdeling en samenwerking met overheden. Ook werd een challenge besproken om CO2-vrij naar de JC ArenA te reizen door fiets, openbaar vervoer en deelvervoer te promoten. Samenwerking met vervoerders, evenementenorganisaties zoals Ajax, en gebiedsontwikkelaars is essentieel, evenals gedragsverandering en aanpassing van reisgewoontes.

Workshop: Crowdmanagement voor Sail 2025

De workshop werd verzorgd door Wouter en Maarten van het MRA-platform Smart Mobility.

“Hoe verzorgen we een goed crowdmanagement tijdens Sail 2025?”

De eerste stap in dit proces was het nadenken over ons eigen reisgedrag. We kregen per persoon een modaliteit aangewezen. De vraag was: als je om 12:00 op een bepaalde plek hebt afgesproken met je groep vrienden, wat heb je dan nodig om daar te komen?

Dit zorgde ervoor dat we nadachten over alle voorzieningen zoals (fiets)parkeerplekken en openbaar vervoer. Voor deze voorzieningen heb je data nodig, zoals inzicht in de beschikbaarheid van parkeerplekken en de status van het openbaar vervoer. Ook vanzelfsprekende dingen, zoals het checken van het weer met bijvoorbeeld Buienradar, zijn belangrijk omdat het weer een grote impact heeft op ons reisgedrag.

Daarna stapten wij in de rol van verkeersmanager. We bedachten welke middelen we konden inzetten om bezoekers zo goed en gemakkelijk mogelijk op hun bestemming te krijgen. We dachten aan elementen zoals éénrichtingsverkeer en het aantrekkelijker maken van het openbaar vervoer en de fiets. Dit konden we bewerkstelligen door bijvoorbeeld entertainment in het OV of het verzamelen van tokens op fietsroutes naar het evenement, die je kon inwisselen voor een gratis drankje. Ook kwamen er vragen naar voren zoals: hoe zorg je dat alles toegankelijk is voor iedereen? Hoe zorg je ervoor dat mensen met een beperking ook gemakkelijk naar het event kunnen komen? Hoe zorg je ervoor dat mensen die niet digitaal vaardig zijn, ook alle informatie kunnen krijgen?

Wat vond ik ervan?

Al met al was ik zeer te spreken over dit evenement. Ik heb geleerd dat de wereld van slimme en schone mobiliteit zeer breed is. Er is veel werk te doen in de komende jaren om ervoor te zorgen dat we anders gaan kijken naar mobiliteit. Een belangrijk punt dat ik heb meegenomen, is de filosofie dat de mens nog steeds de slimste factor is in Smart Mobility en dat we de mens echt centraal moeten stellen. Daarnaast is het uiterst belangrijk dat we ervoor zorgen dat de wensen en behoeften van minderheidsgroepen goed worden meegenomen en dat Smart Mobility niet alleen voor de grootste groep mensen is, maar voor iedereen.

Dear all,

my name is Beatrice Egidi and I am a recently graduated architect from Italy. I had the opportunity of visiting Amsterdam a good number of times in the last two years and I am starting to hope to move there! I even started to learn a bit of Dutch... Moedig, toch?

If anyone has good advices on how to enter the job market here, they would be really appreciated!
Please have a look to my CV at the following link:
Egidi Beatrice CV_2024.pdf

Kind regards and thank you in advace to anyone who may help! Ciao!

Ontdek tijdens de demo van het Digitaal Ecosysteem hoe het Open Urban Platform nu ook binnen het Dutch Metropolitan Innovations (DMI)-ecosysteem in verschillende steden wordt toegepast. Waarbij we graag de usecase stilstaande mobiliteit (inzicht in parkeren) uitlichten.

𝗗𝗠𝗜 - 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗶𝘁
Maak kennis met Sebastiaan Dommeck, Productowner & trekker namens vier gemeenten (Apeldoorn, Amersfoort, Helmond en Zwolle) en daarmee nauw betrokken binnen het DMI-ecosysteem voor de toepassing van het open urban platform in de dagelijkse praktijk van de stad. Hij staat klaar om je alles te vertellen over de usecase stilstaande mobiliteit: van de aanleiding tot de uitdagingen. We geven je een kleine sneakpreview:

𝗗𝗲 𝗮𝗮𝗻𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴:
Hoewel er een overvloed aan informatie beschikbaar is vanuit parkeeronderzoeken en diverse databronnen, blijft het aanbod versnipperd. Hierdoor blijft veel waardevolle informatie ongebruikt, terwijl deze juist cruciale inzichten kan bieden.

𝗗𝗲 𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗱𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴:
Verschillende soorten mobiliteitsdata ontsluiten en combineren in een toepassing via het open urban platform. Dit genereert waardevolle inzichten die steden in staat stelt om hun mobiliteitsbeleid effectief te sturen.

Mis jij nu ook inzicht en een concreet handelingsperspectief als het gaat om mobiliteit, duurzaamheid en stedelijke ontwikkeling in jouw stad en ben je benieuwd hoe we vanuit DMI dit aanpakken? Laat je dan inspireren tijdens deze bijeenkomst!

𝗘𝗻 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿:
En dat is niet alles! We gaan ook dieper in op een cruciaal onderdeel van het Digitaal Ecosysteem namelijk Governance en Ethiek. Ontdek hoe hier vorm aan wordt gegeven. Hoe vertalen de waarden zich naar het platform. De werkgroep neemt je mee in de laatste ontwikkelingen en hun roadmap voor dit jaar.

𝗞𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗺:
Er staat je een uur vol waardevolle inzichten te wachten!

𝗠𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝘁 𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘁!
Wanneer: Dinsdag, 11 juni, 16.00u - 17.00u.
Waar: Virtueel bij: https://meet.google.com/ojq-gzqq-jaw
Voor een overzicht van deze en onze toekomstige demo's, ga naar: https://www.digitaalecosysteem.nl/maandelijkse-demo

𝘏𝘦𝘵 𝘋𝘔𝘐-𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘫𝘧𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯, 𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘯, 𝘎40- 𝘦𝘯 𝘎4-𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘷𝘢𝘯 𝘐𝘦𝘯𝘞 𝘦𝘯 𝘉𝘡𝘒 𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘦𝘻𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘫𝘬 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘈𝘧𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦𝘭. 𝘋𝘔𝘐 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘫𝘬 𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘢𝘬𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘵 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘢𝘭 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘦𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘴.

𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘦-𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘷𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘵 𝘋𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘮 𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘵 𝘋𝘔𝘐-𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘮.

For decades, the behaviour of urban planners and politicians, but also of residents, has been determined by images of the ideal living environment, especially for those who can afford it. The single-family home, a private garden and the car in front of the door were more prominent parts of those images than living in an inclusive and complete neighbourhood. Nevertheless, such a neighbourhood, including a 'house from the 30s', is still sought after. Attempts to revive the idea of 'trese 'traditional' neighbourhoods' have been made in several places in the Netherlands by architects inspired by the principles of 'new urbanism' (see photo collage above). In these neighbourhoods, adding a variety of functions was and is one of the starting points. But whether residents of such a neighbourhood will indeed behave more 'locally' and leave their cars at home more often does not depend on a planning concept, but on long-term behavioural change.
An important question is what changes in the living environment residents themselves prefer. Principles for the (re)design of space that are in line with this have the greatest chance of being put into practice. It would be good to take stock of these preferences, confront (future) residents conflicting ideas en preconditions, for instance with regard to the necessary density. Below is a number of options, in line with commonly expressed preferences.

1. Playing space for children

Especially parents with children want more playing space for their children. For the youngest children directly near the house, for older children on larger playgrounds. A desire that is in easy reach in new neighbourhoods, but more difficult in older ones that are already full of cars. Some parents have long been happy with the possibility of occasionally turning a street into a play street. A careful inventory often reveals the existence of surprisingly many unused spaces. Furthermore, some widening of the pavements is almost always necessary, even if it costs parking space.  

2. Safety

High on the agenda of many parents are pedestrian and cycle paths that cross car routes unevenly. Such connections substantially widen children's radius. In existing neighbourhoods, this too remains daydreaming.  What can be done here is to reduce the speed of traffic, ban through traffic and make cars 'guests' in the remaining streets.  

3. Green

A green-blue infrastructure, penetrating deep into the immediate surroundings is not only desired by almost everyone, but also has many health benefits. The presence of (safe) water buffering (wadis and overflow ponds) extends children's play opportunities, but does take up space. In old housing estates, not much more is possible in this area than façade gardens on (widened) pavements and vegetation against walls.  

4. Limiting space for cars

Even in older neighbourhoods, opportunities to play safely and to create more green space are increased by closing (parts of) streets to cars. A pain point for some residents. One option for this is to make the middle part of a street car-free and design it as an attractive green residential area with play opportunities for children of different age groups. In new housing estates, much more is possible and it hurts to see how conventionally and car-centred these are often still laid out. (Paid) parking at the edge of the neighbourhood helps create a level playing field for car and public transport use.  

5. Public space and (shopping) facilities

Sometimes it is possible to turn an intersection, where for instance a café or one or more shops are already located, into a cosy little square. Neighbourhood shops tend to struggle. Many people are used to taking the car to a supermarket once a week to stock up on daily necessities for the whole week. However, some neighbourhoods are big enough for a supermarket. In some cities, where car ownership is no longer taken for granted, a viable range of shops can develop in such a square and along adjacent streets. Greater density also contributes to this.  

6. Mix of people and functions

A diverse range of housing types and forms is appreciated. Mixing residential and commercial properties can also contribute to the liveliness of a neighbourhood. For new housing estates, this is increasingly becoming a starting point. For business properties, accessibility remains an important precondition.  

7. Public transport

The desirability of good public transport is widely supported, but in practice many people still often choose the car, even if there are good connections. Good public transport benefits from the ease and speed with which other parts of the city can be reached. This usually requires more than one line. Free bus and tram lanes are an absolute prerequisite. In the (distant) future, autonomous shuttles could significantly lower the threshold for using public transport. Company car plus free petrol is the worst way to encourage sensible car use.  

8. Centres in plural

The presence of a city centre is less important for a medium-sized city, say the size of a 15-minute cycle zone, than the presence of a few smaller centres, each with its own charm, close to where people live. These can be neighbourhood (shopping) centres, where you are sure to meet acquaintances.  Some of these will also attract residents from other neighbourhoods, who walk or cycle to enjoy the wider range of amenities. The presence of attractive alternatives to the 'traditional' city centre will greatly reduce the need to travel long distances.
 
The above measures are not a roadmap for the development of a 15-minute city; rather, they are conditions for the growth of a liveable city in general.  In practice, its characteristics certainly correspond to what proponents envisage with a 15-minute city. The man behind the transformation of Paris into a 15-minute city, Carlos Moreno, has formulated a series of pointers based on all the practical examples to date, which can help citizens and administrators realise the merits of the 15-minute city in their own environments. This book will be available from mid-June 2024 and can be reserved HERE.
 
For now, this is the last of the hundreds of posts on education, organisation and environment I have published over the past decade. If I report again, it will be in response to special events and circumstances and developments, which I will certainly continue to follow. Meanwhile, I have started a new series of posts on music, an old love of mine. Check out the 'Expedition music' website at hermanvandenbosch.online. Versions in English of the posts on this website will be available at hermanvandenbosch.com.

Senior programmamaker Ruimte & Wonen

Creëer jij graag verdiepende, toegankelijke en inspirerende programma’s die de uitdagingen van stedenbouw aansnijden? Begrijp je het belang van samenwerken met verschillende belanghebbenden om rechtvaardige oplossingen te verkennen voor complexe vraagstukken? Kan je je effectief verhouden tot zowel leefwereld (burgers, maatschappelijk middenveld, activisten, NGO’s) als systeemwereld (overheid, kennisinstellingen, bedrijven), om innovatieve programma's te ontwikkelen rondom wonen, ruimtelijke ordening en duurzaam, creatief en inclusief bouwen?

Solliciteer dan nu voor de functie van senior programmamaker Ruimte & Wonen bij Pakhuis de Zwijger.
Full-time · Pakhuis de Zwijger

Over Pakhuis de Zwijger

Pakhuis de Zwijger maakt meer dan 600 programma’s per jaar over dringende maatschappelijke vraagstukken, met rechtvaardigheid als kernwaarde. We brengen belanghebbenden samen in verschillende formats om gezamenlijk oplossingen te verkennen. Dit doen we met een team van programmamakers, producenten, communicatiemedewerkers en technici.

Wat zoeken we?

Een creatieve en daadkrachtige programmamaker met inhoudelijke kennis van stedenbouw en ruimtelijke ordening. Je hebt het vermogen om effectief te schakelen tussen verschillende belanghebbenden, van lokale gemeenschappen tot zakelijke partners, om vernieuwende programma's te ontwikkelen die het publiek bewust maken van stedelijke en ruimtelijke vraagstukken en transities verder helpen.
Als senior programmamaker draag je bij aan de strategische ontwikkeling van de programmering. Je initieert en onderhoudt partnerschappen, werkt aan opdrachten en stuurt enkele programmamakers en stagiairs aan op jouw thema. Enige ervaring met leidinggeven aan een (klein) team is dus een pré. Door kennis en presentatie heb je inhoudelijk gezag in je werkgebied.

Jouw profiel:

• Actuele kennis en een stevig netwerk op het gebied van ruimtelijke thema’s.  
• Strategisch inzicht; ervaring met het onderhouden van samenwerkingsverbanden en het aantrekken van nieuwe (financiële) partners.
• Creatief, leergierig en vol met originele ideeën.
• Communicatief sterk (zowel intern als extern) en cultureel sensitief. Je hebt een sterk vermogen om je in anderen te verplaatsen.
• Beschikbaar voor 40 uur per week waarvan gemiddeld één avond per week voor het draaien van een programma.

Bij Pakhuis de Zwijger hanteren we de CAO Nederlandse podia. Deze functie is ingeschaald in schaal 7 (minimum €3.516 en maximum €4.940), de precieze inschaling is afhankelijk van ervaring en kwalificaties.
Pakhuis de Zwijger is een cultureel-maatschappelijke non-profitorganisatie. Wij streven er naar een grote diversiteit aan identiteiten en ervaringen de ruimte te geven in ons team. Daarom moedigen wij nadrukkelijk mensen van alle culturele en genderidentiteiten en opleidingsachtergronden aan om te solliciteren.

Geïnteresseerd?

Solliciteer vóór maandag 13 mei 2024 via de onderstaande link. Voor vragen kun je contact opnemen met HR-adviseur Jip Gradener via: 06-13626126.
Acquisitie naar aanleiding van deze oproep wordt niet op prijs gesteld.

In a world where moving yourself from point A to point B is becoming much more crucial than ever, there are people out there who cannot experience such a luxury at the flick of a wrist, or perhaps the clack of an ankle? It is hard to imagine sometimes, but there are those who cannot move around as easily as others; be it because of financial, physical, vehicular, or other reasons. A community that can go about as they please without any issues is a happy community that is beneficial to society – For a collective of governments and businesses it is in their best interests to ensure citizens can experience freedom and liberty in their mobility. The question of how to achieve this freedom in mobility and how to deter against injustices regarding mobility remains a hot topic, however. On behalf of Provincie Noord Holland and in collaboration with Amsterdam Smart City and Amsterdam Centre of Expertise, a group of graduating students tackled this topic on the latest Demoday of 2024.

Starting the voyage : What are mobility injustices?
A value workshop led by Jackie Ippel and Jade Salomons engaged the participants in a fun, creative wave of brain-crackling activities. Participants were presented with a question of whether they knew what mobility injustices, or as we call it in Dutch “Mobiliteits Armoede”, was. An explanation of which followed suit soon after. Mobility Injustices, as described by the KiM organization, explains the inability or difficulties people experience in terms of reaching activity locations due to inadequate transport options, combined with socio-economic and spatial conditions in which people find themselves. As a result, they are often hindered in their participation in social life, which negatively affects their quality of life.

It is important to think about the definition of what exactly mobility injustices entail, as it helps us find a better understanding in finding a creative series of solutions that will solve this complex jigsaw puzzle.

Like a ball of yarn : unraveling theorems.
In order to stimulate the brain of each participant and to get the blood pumping through their legs, each participant was asked to stand in the middle of the room. As was once quoted in the horror thriller Saw; “Wanna play a game?”. Participants were presented with a series of theorems in which they had to make a choice that’d question their liberal thoughts; either stand on one side of the room for one answer or on the other side for the other – No in-betweens. Being forced to make ultimatums proved to be both challenging for the participants yet fun, as it was met with bountiful heaps of enthusiasm. In the first theorem, participants were presented with a question of whether or not mobility should be a fundamental right for each and every citizen. While agreed one did not, but can their minds be changed? A flurry of other theorems were presented, each of which dove deeper into the depths of dilemmas one may encounter when attempting to solve the puzzle of mobility inequality. Like who is more important, those who have low incomes or those who suffer from physical and mental disabilities which hinder their day-to-day lives? Brief discussions flowed forth after each and every theorem, after each voting round, reasons were given as to why one can choose one over the other. After which another second voting session followed. Perhaps new insights would change one’s opinion on the subject? It actually did once or twice! Such is the power of dialogue.

Embarking into the abyss : Worst Idea Possible.
“How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I’m just doing what comes naturally-“ -such were the words Onceler sung in Dr. Seuss’s ‘The Lorax’. While people do not like the idea of being bad or thinking of bad ideas sometimes this way of thinking can actually bring plentiful new insights never thought of before. The group split itself in two, each of which under the guidance of either Jackie Ippel or Jade Salomons. Participants were asked to come with their most horrid, ludicrous ideas that’d actually make mobility injustices worse. After which they had to decide what element made this a bad idea. Example, if public transport were to be described, the element that’d make the idea bad would be less alternatives for traveling. The final and third part of this exercise required something rather unique however. Does your mind already wonder what? Well, it’s quite simple really, now participants had to come up with what would be the opposite of their bad idea! So what would their idea be in reverse, an actual solution to the problem they created. If your bad solution was to make everything only scannable by QR-codes its reverse solution would be… using solely physical text! For a solid 20 minutes participants racked their heads and discussed until their times were down to only 5 minutes left. The last of those minutes left were spent discussing and laughing about their ideas – A method met with confusion at first was appreciated with loads of enthusiasm by the end where only time was the fun killer.

A creative view found in madness: Crazy Eight.

The creativity cannot just end after one session. Holding the thought of the previous session, participants were asked to gather in a circle around a table. With each given a paper and asked to fold it so that 8 separate square spaces would form on the sheet the Crazy Eight exercise was explained. Participants were asked to draw their solution one of their 8 square. For each drawing they had a minute per square, a total of 8 minutes until all were filled. Of course with so little time there was little room for thinking, imagination had to pull the cart here, which led to both silly and unique drawings. The longer the session went on the more difficult it became – the participants were truly pushed to their creative limits. A well-trained eye could even notice how some participants still tried to finish their previous drawing before moving onto the next despite the time. You could feel the atmosphere in the room shift to a hectic, almost crazy aura, thus doing its name of ‘Crazy Eight’ truly justice.

At the end of the session it was only natural that people presented their top 3 drawings. One after another each participant proudly showed off their creative drawings like a trophy to the rest of the group. Turns out, despite not communicating with one another during the drawing sessions there were lots of similarities in the elements used in each drawing. The bus, the civil servant, and the elderly were commonly used elements seen back in almost everyone’s drawing. Via these sources of inspiration it became clear just where the solutions may lie.

An journey’s end : Results.

At the end of the session we didn’t just start talking about what we had done. No, instead we At the end of the session, we didn’t just start talking about what we had done. No, instead we went back and looked at the very first theorem everyone was presented with; “Should mobility be a fundamental right for each and every citizen?”. Last time everyone answered all but one was in favor of this theorem, now participants were asked to revise their statement and see if they still agreed with what they said at the beginning. As said before, dialogue can change the outlook we have on the world and so someone did change their stance – The one person that disagreed with the theorem now actually agreed that mobility should be a fundamental right. A full 100% score! Only after this a talk about what we had done started. Opinions were asked and each participant shared the emotion they had experienced during this work session and to leave it behind on a post-it.

·       Fun and insightful: The gamification of thinking is taking the design world by storm, and on this Demoday, it has proven that this form of design thinking can not only be effective in bringing brand new insights but also can be fun.

·       Enthusiasm: What started off with an iffy approach ended with tons of enthusiasm. Idea generating doesn’t just have to be sitting at a table and talking in your own bubble; it can become so much more effective when the mood is changed from serious and gloomy to frivolous and enthusiastic..

·       Creativity: A creative way of thinking actually helps in generating ideas. Using playful thinking such as considering a bad idea first and then the opposite helps find solutions to problems in a much more efficient way.

During this Demoday, we as a group of graduating students got to know the thought process behind those who work within the field of mobility. While we hope that we brought them plenty of insights and, above all, a fun day, it is sufficient to say that we too learned an abundance of information. The insights made during the Demoday will be used by us in writing our final report for the Provincie Noord Holland regarding a detailed consult on how to improve the mobility of the citizens of the province of Noord-Holland and how to tackle the injustices surrounding mobility. Demoday’s are fun and can inspire even the most closed-minded people. If we could, we would do it all over again. And, if you are still on the fence about joining a Demoday, then I hope that column will ignite that curiosity.

A previous post made it clear that a 15-minute city ideally consists of a 5-minute walking zone, a 15-minute walking zone, also a 5-minute cycling zone and a the 15-minute cycling zone. These three types of neighbourhoods and districts should be developed in conjunction, with employment accessibility also playing an important role.
 
In the plans for 15-minute cities in many places around the world, these types of zones intertwine, and often it is not even clear which type of zone is meant.  In Paris too, I miss clear choices in this regard.
 
The city of Melbourne aims to give a local lifestyle a dominant place among all residents. Therefore, everyone should live within at most 10 minutes' walking distance to and from all daily amenities.  For this reason, it is referred to as a 20-minute city, whereas in most examples of a 15-minute city, such as Paris, it is only about <strong>the round trip</strong>. The policy in Melbourne has received strong support from the health sector, which highlights the negative effects of traffic and air pollution.
 
In Vancouver, there is talk of a 5-minute city. The idea is for neighbourhoods to become more distinct parts of the city. Each neighbourhood should have several locally owned shops as well as public facilities such as parks, schools, community centres, childcare and libraries. High on the agenda is the push for greater diversity of residents and housing types. Especially in inner-city neighbourhoods, this is accompanied by high densities and high-rise buildings. Confronting this idea with reality yields a pattern of about 120 such geographical units (see map above).
 
Many other cities picked up the idea of the 15-minute city.  Among them: Barcelona, London, Milan, Ottawa, Detroit and Portland. The organisation of world cities C40 (now consisting of 96 cities) elevated the idea to the main policy goal in the post-Covid period.
 
All these cities advocate a reversal of mainstream urbanisation policies. In recent decades, many billions have been invested in building roads with the aim of improving accessibility. This means increasing the distance you can travel in a given time. As a result, facilities were scaled up and concentrated in increasingly distant places. This in turn led to increased congestion that negated improvements in accessibility. The response was further expansion of the road network.  This phenomenon is known as the 'mobility trap' or the Marchetti constant.
 
Instead of increasing accessibility, the 15-minute city aims to expand the number of urban functions you can access within a certain amount of time. This includes employment opportunities. The possibility of working from home has reduced the relevance of the distance between home and workplace. In contrast, the importance of a pleasant living environment has increased. A modified version of the 15-minute city, the 'walkable city' then throws high hopes. That, among other things, is the subject of my next post.

Discover our solutions for disabled parking management (as installed in Breda), management for electrical charging on public loading infrastructure and shop&go parking spots.

Last month designers FABRICations, Studio To Create and Inbo the question: “How can drones create a more livable Amsterdam?” The teams developed near-future design scenarios were emergency response and delivery of goods (and people) would impact project areas the Western Port Area, Amsterdam Zuidoost, and RAI Amsterdam. Project partners Arcam and the Amsterdam Drone Lab invite you to the “Urban Sky Lab” expo which kicks off with an actual drone flying from Marineterrein to the ARCAM building to open the expo. Curious about the design proposals? or how this new low altitude airspace above our city will work? Join us!

Title: Opening Exhibition Amsterdam Urban Sky Lab
Date: Thursday, March 28, 2024
Time: walk-in from 5 p.m. – end around 7 p.m.
Location: Arcam
Address: Prins Hendrikkade 600
Sign up for the opening: https://forms.gle/GTNfDBNdUfqA2fhJ6

The quest for parking in Amsterdam presents a unique set of challenges, including narrow lanes, constant vehicular flow, and strict parking policies. This iconic city, celebrated for its canal system, historical buildings, and cultural vibrancy, also faces the modern urban dilemma of parking scarcity. Amidst these challenges, Amsterdam's approach to parking, characterized by a zonal system with variable rates, mirrors its commitment to promoting sustainable urban mobility. Within the bustling heart of the city, parking fees can soar to €7.50 per hour, a pricing strategy designed to incentivize public transport and biking, cherished and eco-friendly travel methods among the locals.

Amsterdam's dynamic parking strategy also paves the way for innovative solutions like Mobypark, a platform revolutionizing parking by facilitating the rental of private parking spots. This initiative not only offers a cost-effective alternative to the traditional parking hunt but also optimizes the use of existing spaces, aligning with the city's sustainability goals.

For those seeking affordability without sacrificing convenience, Amsterdam's Park and Ride (P+R) facilities serve as a beacon. Strategically located at the city's periphery, these parking havens offer reduced rates, encouraging drivers to park their vehicles and hop on public transport to reach the city's core. This system significantly mitigates urban congestion and lowers parking costs for both tourists and daily commuters.
The allure of P+R locations is undeniable, especially when juxtaposed with the exorbitant costs of street parking. To access P+R discounts, users must integrate their parking with public transportation, highlighting the city's efforts to weave sustainability into the fabric of urban travel. Mobypark's P+R options stand out for their simplicity and affordability, offering seamless access to the city center without the usual prerequisites. Examples include:

• P+R parking at RAI Amsterdam
• P+R Amsterdam West at the Leonardo Hotel

Amsterdam's strategy to curtail on-street parking availability is a deliberate move towards fostering a more sustainable, pleasant cityscape. By endorsing alternatives like public transport, cycling, and Mobypark's innovative parking solutions, Amsterdam is making strides in reducing traffic jams, cutting down on pollution, and improving urban life quality. These initiatives are testament to Amsterdam's dedication to a sustainable future, highlighting Mobypark's pivotal role in transforming the city into a smarter, more navigable urban space.

Find a link to Mobypark here: Amsterdam parking

Want to test your innovation during an open event such as Amsterdam Pride or the Amsterdam marathon? And looking for the opportunity to cooperate with the city in the long run?

The In Residence Open Events programme might be something for you. We have 8 broad defined challenges, ranging from circular economy to safety, from mobility to extreme whether. Basically we're looking for all innovations that can have an positive impact on the city and the event of the future!

During the programme you get:

• The opportunity to pilot your solution at an open event in Amsterdam, such as Amsterdam Pride or the Amsterdam Marathon
• 15K test budget to execute this pilot
• Guidance by an experienced mentor
• Access to the large municipality network
• The opportunity for long term cooperation in case of a succesfull pilot
• Large exposure and feedback opportunities

Interested to see our programme, the challenges and opportunity this brings for you?
See our website, www.innovatiepartners.nl, or see most recent LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gemeente-amsterdam-innovatie_inresidence-amsterdam-innovatie-activity-7163881081757253632-6soh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

For questions or thoughts, you can reach out to Mark Stoevelaar, project manager of the In Residence programme.
- mark.stoevelaar@amsterdam.nl
- +31621193028

Greetings Trailblazing Visionaries,
Get ready for a seismic shift in sustainability! We're ByeBye Bed Limited, a force of innovation since 2019, experiencing a staggering 900% growth, and now we're inviting you to be part of our electrifying journey - Reborn Products.
The Powerhouse Behind ByeBye Bed Limited: Meet Paul Beckett, the maverick entrepreneur who saw a goldmine in recycling. His vision isn’t just about mattresses; it’s about transforming waste into a treasure trove of sustainable, retail-worthy products. The world is ready for this revolution, and we're leading the charge.
Dazzling Growth, Unstoppable Momentum: From a modest 6,000 sq. ft. to our current 60,000 sq. ft. facility, we've supersized our operation to revolutionise recycling on a grand scale. Brace yourself for a dedicated manufacturing facility that will catapult our capabilities into the stratosphere.
Reborn Products: Where Sustainability Meets Luxury: Our 'Reborn' products aren't just eco-friendly; they're a testament to style, comfort, and sustainability. From avant-garde mattresses to chic futon chairs and everything in between, we’re turning waste into opulence. Currently, 96% of our materials are recycled, making us the pinnacle of green innovation.
Crushing the Landfill Crisis: We're not just talking the talk; we're walking it, stomping on the UK landfill crisis that swallows almost 5,000,000 mattresses each year. We're not just recycling; we're redefining waste, turning it into a jaw-dropping spectacle of sustainability.
Financial Dynamo: Fueling the Future: Hold on tight because the next phase is a financial thunderstorm. We're not just enhancing the use of our recycled materials; we're rewriting the rules of industry, starting with furniture making. Imagine a world where our waste stream becomes the lifeblood of innovation.
Revolutionary Padding Material: Unleashing the Future: Introducing our game-changing padding material, birthed from our waste streams. It's not just 100% recyclable; it's a disruptor, challenging the status quo and reshaping the very fabric of eco-friendly living.
Invest in Tomorrow: ByeBye Bed Limited is the Future: This isn’t just a crowdfunding opportunity; it’s your ticket to invest in the future of sustainability. Join the movement, fuel the revolution, and be part of a success story that will be told for generations.
Social Impact: Building Lives, Breaking Chains: But wait, there's more! Our initiative with HMP isn’t just about recycling materials; it's about recycling lives. We're rehabilitating prisoners, re-skilling them for a triumphant return to society. And the best part? They potentially become integral members of our powerhouse workforce.
Your Invitation to Greatness: Investing in ByeBye Bed Limited and Reborn Products isn’t just about returns; it’s about being part of a seismic shift. This is your opportunity to be on the ground floor of something monumental.
Interested in More Details? Ignite the Revolution - Join Us Now: Email us for more details and become part of a future where recycling isn’t just responsible; it’s a lifestyle. Let's redefine waste, together.
Thank you for daring to dream big with ByeBye Bed Limited and Reborn Products.

The air space above our city is about change. Drones will soon have a profound impact on our collective future - Last year alone, the city of Amsterdam detected over 43,000 low-altitude flights over our parks, squares, and waterfronts. As this trend continues to grow year-after-year, how can we repurpose drones to create a more sustainable and livable city?

This Thursday & Friday (15-16 Feb.) we are hosting the Urban Sky Lab together with Arcam and the Amsterdam Drone Lab. For this unique event we have invited Studio To Create, INBO, and FABRICations into a two-day sprint to design a future with drones for the Western Docklands, Amsterdam Zuidoost (Amsterdamse Poort area) and RAI Amsterdam.

You are welcome to attend the presentations of the preliminary results at Hotel Casa Amsterdam on Friday afternoon 16 February.

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!

Programma (wijzigingen voorbehouden): 

9.30 - Inloop

10:00 - Welkom bij de Slimme Stad Parade

10:10 - Dank voor de gastvrijheid

<strong>10:20 - Welkom in de Provincie Utrecht bij de Data en Kennishub Gezond Stedelijk Leven - Henri de Ruiter (DKH Gezond Stedelijk Leven)</strong>

10:30 - Pauze en zaalwissel

10:35 - 11:35 - Verdieping
In de Verdiepingszaal gaan we dieper in op de volgende stap van pitches 13, 14 en 15. We focussen in dit blok op het thema bestuur en organisatie.

10:35 - Monitoringsprogramma Cartesius - <em>Pitch 1 -</em> Marije Lammers (Universiteit Utrecht)
Het monitoren van de effecten van interventies in de leefomgeving (fysiek, sociaal en zorg) op de gezondheid en het welzijn van bewoners in Cartesius, een gebied waar ontzettend veel belangrijke thema's samenkomen (beweging, voeding, duurzaamheid, sociale cohesie etc.), maar ook waar veel verschillende partijen en expertises samenkomen op het gebied een gezonde leefomgeving. En waar de effecten van interventies en ontwerpkeuzes uitgebreid gemonitord gaan worden, als opzet voor een landelijk monitoringsprogramma.

10:50 - Emeralds: Extreme-scale Urban Mobility Data Analytics as a Service - <em>Pitch 2</em> - Sascha Hoogendoorn-Lanser MICD (TU Delft)
Steden beschikken vaak over veel gegevensbronnen over verkeersopstoppingen. De verwerking, analyse en het gebruik (bijv. voor context-afhankelijke voorspelling) wordt echter belemmerd door het gebrek aan toepasbare methoden en extreme dataverwerkingstools. EMERALDS zal deze uitdaging aangaan.
11:05 - GROUNDED in de Kien: Stadscampus Deventer - Pitch 3 - Meike Heijenk (Saxion)
De SPRONG-groep GROUNDED van lectoren van Saxion en De Haagse Hogeschool richt zich op het samengestelde, elkaar versterkende, inzicht van boven- én ondergrond. Van wonen en werken én de grond daaronder die we gebruiken voor landbouw, kabelwerk en opslag (legaal en illegaal). Informatie die antwoorden geeft op urgente vraagstukken voor steden en dorpen, ons omgaan met het klimaat en de ruimte voor duurzame energie, natuur en recreatie.

11:20 - De slimme, duurzame stad in beeld - <em>Pitch 4 -</em> Mike van Dijk <em>en Sonja Hulshoff ( Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat)</em>
Hoe operationaliseren we de blauwdruk van de G40 Smart City Groep 'Slimme, duurzame verstedelijking en mobiliteitsvernieuwing' naar een integraal dashboard van een stad, gebied of opgave? Slimme, duurzame verstedelijking en mobiliteitsvernieuwing raakt meerdere domeinen: ruimtelijke ontwikkeling/inrichting, wonen, energie, verkeer en mobiliteit, gezondheid, bouw, logistiek etc. Ieder domein kent zijn ambities, doelstellingen, indicatoren, richtlijnen, en data. Maar welke indicatoren zijn echt van belang voor besluitvorming van gemeenten en laten zien hoe een stad functioneert? Welke data, interoperabiliteit, informatie en toepassingen helpen bij het inzichtelijk maken en realiseren van de doelen op straat? Welke stad of gemeente kun je zijn? Het DMI-ecosysteem onderzoekt hoe dit beeld te operationaliseren.

11:35- Pauze en zaalwissel 

11:50 - 12:50 - Verdieping
In de Verdiepingszaal gaan we dieper in op de volgende stap van pitches 1, 2, 3 en 4. We focussen in dit blok op het thema betere leefomgeving door gebruik van data.

11:50 -XCarCity - <em>Pitch 5</em> - Jacqueline Verbeek-Nijhof en Ruben Verbeeke (TNO)
De toenemende woningdichtheid en de afnemende ruimte voor vervoersinfrastructuur en privéparkeerplaatsen vormen een grote uitdaging voor de duurzame bereikbaarheid van stedelijke regio's. Potentiële slimme mobiliteitsoplossingen bestaan uit een flexibele combinatie van lopen en fietsen, elektrische deelvoertuigen, vervoersknooppunten, vracht, bezorging en verkeersmanagement – maar het ontbreekt ons aan de modelleringstools om deze oplossingen te testen. XCARCITY is een vijfjarig programma, vol met onderzoek en pilots, ontworpen om dat gat te dichten.

12:05 - Inwoners betrekken bij hun leefomgeving door het gebruik van een digital twin - <em>Pitch 6</em> - Arjun Snoep-Dellema (Gemeente Arnhem)
Binnen de gemeente Arnhem is onderzocht hoe digital twin toepassingen (bv. Virtual Reality of ArcGIS) ingezet kan worden bij projecten binnen de fysieke leefomgeving met burgerparticipatie. We zijn bij drie verschillende projecten aangesloten om de verschillen op het gebied van mobiliteit, woningbouw en vergroening via digital twin toepassingen beter inzichtelijk te maken aan inwoners. De hoofdvraag van het onderzoek luidt: In hoeverre zorgt het inzetten van digital twin toepassingen voor toegevoegde waarde binnen projecten van de gemeente Arnhem, en in het bijzonder bij projecten binnen de fysieke leefomgeving met een participatietraject?

12:20- Digital Society and the Quality of Urban Space - <em>Pitch 7 -</em> Paul Rutten <em>(Hogeschool Rotterdam)</em>
In het project Digital Society and the Quality of Urban Space staat de vraag centraal welk digitalisering heeft op de kwaliteit van leven in steden? Hoe beïnvloedt digitalisering gebruik en inrichting van stedelijke ruimte? Welke impact heeft digitalisering op publieke waarden in de stad? Hoe verschillen publieke digitale diensten daarin van commerciële? Wat is de rol en betekenis van bewoners en lokale overheden? Wat zijn de belangrijkste ontwikkelingen voor de toekomst?

12:35- Fijnstofonderzoek met scholieren op de snuffelfiets - <em>Pitch 8 -</em> Dorien Dorresteijn (GLOBE Nederland)
GLOBE Nederland zet projecten op, zodat leerlingen van middelbare scholen door heel Nederland meten aan hun leefomgeving. Zo maken ze bijvoorbeeld gebruik van de snuffelfiets om de fijnstof in kaart te brengen. In de provincie Utrecht doen al 22 scholen mee. We werken bij dit project samen met het RIVM en verschillende gemeentes en provincies, waaronder de provincie Utrecht.

12:50 - Netwerklunch

13:30 - Lezing na de lunch: Zo gebruik je kennis in je organisatie
Met ruim 10 jaar ervaring bij het Groene Brein weet Antoine Heideveld ondertussen wel hoe je wetenschap en onderzoek kan toepassen in je organisatie. Die inzichten deelt hij met ons.

14:00 - Pauze en zaalwissel

14:10 - 15:10 - Verdieping
In de Verdiepingszaal gaan we dieper in op de volgende stap van pitches 5, 6, 7 en 8. We focussen in dit blok op het thema betrekken van belanghebbenden.

14:10- Digitale veiligheid van smartcitysystemen - <em>Pitch 9 -</em> Willem Bantema (NHL Stenden Hogeschool)
Hoe digitaal veilig zijn gemeentelijke smart city toepassingen en welke concrete oplossingen en oplossingsrichtingen dragen bij aan het verbeteren van de digitale veiligheid van deze toepassingen?

<strong>14:25 - AI Compass: Adaptive Intelligence in Crowd Crisis Management through Al-Human Coordination and Ethical Practice</strong> - Pitch 10 - Sascha Hoogendoorn-Lanser MICD (TU Delft)
De combinatie van complexiteit, tijdsdruk en morele beslissingen is een flinke uitdaging in crisissituaties. Ai heeft een enorm potentieel om beslissingen bij crowd crises te ondersteunen. Het AI-COMPASS consortium, onder leiding van TU Delft, ontwikkelt real-time ondersteuningssystemen die rekening houden met context, gedrag en waarden.

14:40 - Moral Smart City - <em>Pitch 11 -</em> Jeroen de Vos (Fontys)
We bouwen in het Moral Smart City onderzoek aan een genuanceerde strategie om een breed debat te voeren over Slimme Stedelijke ontwikkelingen en inclusieve besluitvorming te bevorderen. Dit doen we door stedelijke ethische commissies, burgerparticipatie, lokale bestuursorganen en mediaorganisaties uit zeven Nederlandse steden aan elkaar te koppelen. We focussen hierbij op journalisten in –met name lokale - media willen graag de rol van ‘vierde macht’ vervullen rondom techno-ethische thema’s, maar vooralsnog ontbreekt het hen aan handvatten om dit op een meer verdiepende publieksgerichte manier te doen.

14:55 - AI ELSA-Lab Noord-Brabant - <em>Pitch 12 -</em> Ben Kokkeler (Avans Hogeschool)
Het AI ELSA-Lab Noord-Brabant is een innovatief samenwerkingsplatform waarin we toegepast onderzoek verrichten en kennis ontwikkelen met de burger, overheidsorganisaties en ondernemers als middelpunt. Het is een is een internationaal beproefde en wetenschappelijk onderbouwde methode om de ethische, juridische én maatschappelijke impact van concrete technologische toepassingen integraal te beoordelen. Deze geïntegreerde manier van kijken brengt kansen en risico’s in beeld, tijdens het ontwikkelproces en tijdens de invoering van AI toepassingen. Het disruptieve karakter van AI vraagt om nieuwe manieren van samenwerken. Hoe pak je dat als gemeente verantwoord aan in samenspel met burgers en ondernemers?

15:10 - Pauze en zaalwissel

15:25 - 16:10 - Verdieping
In de Verdiepingszaal gaan we dieper in op de volgende stap van pitches 9, 10, 11 en 12. We focussen in dit blok op het thema ethiek.

15:25 - Citizen Science projecten in de provincie Utrecht - <em>Pitch 13 -</em> Arjen Hof (Good City Sense)
De provincie Utrecht is koploper als het gaat om citizen science projecten, zoals Snuffelfiets, Telraam en Pientere Tuinen. In het onderzoek combineren we de ervaringen uit deze projecten tot een integrale aanpak.

15:40 – LIVE - <em>Pitch 14 -</em> Leon Hendriks <em>(AeroVision)</em>
Project LIVE heeft onderzocht en aangetoond dat door het combineren van diverse data een integraal beeld ontstaat dat helpt bij de besluitvorming. Door (beoogde) aanpassingen en scenario’s in de fysieke leefomgeving vooraf zichtbaar te maken in een 3D-omgeving, kan de impact op de leefbaarheid, waterhuishouding, biodiversiteit en zelfs woongeluk in beeld worden gebracht. Een slimme tool om afgewogen de juiste beslissingen te nemen en elke vierkante meter optimaal te benutten.

<strong>15:55 - Dit was de City Deal ‘Een slimme stad, zo doe je dat’</strong> - <em>Pitch 15 -</em> Jan-Willem Wesselink (Future City Foundation)
Na 5 jaar samenwerken wordt de City Deal in 2024 afgerond. Wat zijn de resultaten en hoe worden die geborgd in het DMI-ecosysteem?

16:10 - Afsluiting en einde

16:15 - Netwerkborrel
__________________________________________________
Datum: 23 mei 2024, 10.00 – 17.00 uur (inloop 10.00- 11.00 uur).
Locatie: Provinciehuis Utrecht (Archimedeslaan 6, 3584 BA Utrecht)
Kosten: Deelname aan de Slimme Stad parade is gratis

Meld je hieronder aan:

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.

The term 'self-driving car' is used for a wide variety of technical support systems for car drivers. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has distinguished six types, as mentioned in the tabel above. This classification is recognized worldwide.

At SAE level 0, a car has been equipped with various warning systems, such as unvoluntary deviation from lane, traffic in the blind spot, and emergency braking.

At SEA levels 1 and 2, cars can steer independently or/and adjust their speed in specific conditions on motorways. Whether drivers are allowed to take their hands from the steering wheel depends on national law. That is certainly not the case in Europe. As soon as environmental conditions make steering and acceleration more complex, for example after turning onto a busy street, the driver must immediately take over the steering.

A properly functioning SAE Level 3 system allows drivers to take their eyes off the road and focus on other activities. They must sit behind the wheel and be on standby and are always held responsible for driving the car. They must immediately take over control of the car as soon as 'the system' gives a ('disengagement') signal, which means that it can no longer handle the situation. There is currently no car worldwide that is accredited at SEA-3 level.

This level of control is not sufficient for driverless taxi services. Automotive and technology companies such as General Moters and Alphabet have been working hard to meet the requirements of the higher levels (SAE 4). Their expensive cars (up to $250,000) have automated backups, meaning they can handle any situation under specified conditions, such as well-designed roads, during the day and at a certain speed. Under these circumstances, no driver is required to be present.

SAE Level 5 automation can operate without a driver in all conditions. There is currently no vehicle that meets this requirement.

The variety of options in this classification explains why the term 'self-driving car' should not be used. Cars classified at SAE level 1 and 2 can best be called 'automated cars' and cars from SAE level 3 onwards can be called autonomous cars.

The state of California introduced new rules in 2019 that allow cars at SAE 4 level to participate in traffic. Very strict conditions apply to this. As a result, Alphabet (Waymo) and General Motors (Cruise) have been allowed to launch driverless taxi services. All rides are monitored with cameras to prevent reckless behavior or vandalism.
 
<strong>Last week, you might have read the last in a series of 25 posts about improving environmental quality.  Right now, I have finalized an e-book containing all posts plus additional recommendations.  If you follow the link below, you can download the book (90 pages) for free. A version in Dutch language can be downloaded HERE**</strong>

A lot of what we did in Barcelona was about making connections, sharing knowledge, and being inspired. However, we wouldn’t be Amsterdam Smart City if we didn’t give it a bit of our own special flavour. That’s why we decided to take this inspiring opportunity to start a new challenge about floating neighbourhoods together with Anja Reimann (municipality of Amsterdam) and Joke Dufourmont (AMS Institute). The session was hosted at the Microsoft Pavilion.

We are facing many problems right now in the Netherlands. With climate change, flooding and drought are both becoming big problems. We have a big housing shortage and net congestion is becoming a more prominent problem every day. This drove the municipality of Amsterdam and AMS institute to think outside the box when it came to building a new neighbourhood and looking towards all the space we have on the water. Floating neighbourhoods might be the neighbourhoods of the future. In this session, we dived into the challenges and opportunities that this type of neighbourhood can bring.

The session was split up into two parts. The first part was with municipalities and governmental organisations to discuss what a floating neighbourhood would look like. The second part was with entrepreneurs who specialized in mobility to discuss what mobility on and around a floating neighbourhood should look like.

Part one - What should a floating neighbourhood look like?

In this part of the session, we discussed what a floating district should look like:

• What will we do there?
• What will we need there?
• How will we get there?

We discussed by having all the contestants place their answers to these questions on post-its and putting them under the questions. We voted on the post-its to decide what points we found most important. 
A few of the answers were:

• One of the key reasons for a person to live in a floating neighbourhood would be to live closer to nature. Making sure that the neighbourhood is in balance with nature is therefore very important.
• We will need space for nature (insects included), modular buildings, and space for living (not just sleeping and working). There need to be recreational spaces, sports fields, theatres and more.
• To get there we would need good infrastructure. If we make a bridge to this neighbourhood should cars be allowed? Or would we prefer foot and bicycle traffic, and, of course, boats? In this group, a carless neighbourhood had the preference, with public boat transfer to travel larger distances.

Part two - How might we organise the mobility system of a floating district?

In the second part of this session, we had a market consultation with mobility experts. We discussed how to organise the mobility system of a floating neighbourhood:

• What are the necessary solutions for achieving this? What are opportunities that are not possible on land and what are the boundaries of what’s possible?
• Which competencies are necessary to achieve this and who has them (which companies)?
• How would we collaborate to achieve this? Is an innovation partnership suitable as a method to work together instead of a public tender? Would you be willing to work with other companies? What business model would work best to collaborate?

We again discussed these questions using the post-it method. After a few minutes of intense writing and putting up post-its we were ready to discuss. There a lot of points so here are only a few of the high lights: 
Solutions:

• Local energy: wind, solar, and water energy. There are a lot of opportunities for local energy production on the water because it is often windy, you can generate energy from the water itself, and solar energy is available as well. Battery storage systems are crucial for this.
• Autonomous boats such as the roboat. These can be used for city logistics (parcels) for instance.
• Wireless charging for autonomous ferry’s.

Competencies:

• It should be a pleasant and social place to live in.
• Data needs to be optimized for good city logistics. Shared mobility is a must.
• GPS signal doesn’t work well on water. A solution must be found for this.
• There needs to be a system in place for safety. How would a fire department function on water for instance?

Collaboration:

• Grid operators should be involved. What would the electricity net look like for a floating neighbourhood?
• How do you work together with the mainland? Would you need the mainland or can a floating neighbourhood be self-sufficient?
• We should continue working on this problem on a demo day from Amsterdam Smart City!

A lot more interesting points were raised, and if you are interested in this topic, please reach out to us and get involved. We will continue the conversation around floating neighbourhoods in 2024.