As of the beginning of January 2025, we are pleased to welcome Saskia Bosnie as the programme director a.i. of Amsterdam InChange. Saskia brings valuable experience from her previous role as director of Zuidoost City, where she successfully built strong connections between residents, businesses, educational institutions, and local entrepreneurs. Taking over from Francien, Saskia will work closely with the team to shape the programme’s future vision.

Together with the team, Saskia will focus on operationalizing this vision, developing concrete activities, and strengthening our proposition for partners and funding structures. A key priority will be to further strengthen and solidify our collaboration with Amsterdam Economic Board.

Saskia looks forward to contributing to innovative solutions for the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area together with our diverse partner network. Her passion for innovation, collaboration, and tackling complex challenges aligns with the ambitions of Amsterdam InChange.

[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.

Namla and Univerzita Pardubice Anthropology Department are hosting a one time mini conference next week on the results of our project in Erasmus Plus called AnthroAction: increasing employability and societal impact of action researchers. (https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/projects/search/details/2023-2-NL01-KA210-ADU-000180400)

We have been running the project since March 2024 and just wrapped up our pilot course for graduates of anthropology in Czech Republic and Netherlands; where the graduates learned to combine rapid ethnography and design thinking to tackle a real-world problem, suggested by real NGOs.

The NGOs that contributed to the project were:
-Czech Blind United (https://www.sons.cz/) with the question: how can we attract more younger members to our organisation?
-Junak - Czech Scouts (https://www.skaut.cz/) with the question: what do today’s teenagers want in leadership training?
-De Meevaart Community Centre (https://meevaart.nl/) with the question: how can we start a blue zone in Indische Buurt in Amsterdam?
-The Really Healthy School (https://www.skutecnezdravaskola.cz/) with the question: how can we reach more primary schools with our programme?

The participants in the course were coming from all over Czech Republic, and Amsterdam.

In the conference, we will discuss what happened in the course, how it went, what we can learn from the pilot. Also a number of professors in Anthropology from different parts of Europe (such as Laurens Bakker, Ana-Isabel Afonso), applied anthropologists from Czech Republic (such as Karolina Kania, PhD, Socionaut, z.s.), as well as organisations in our network will share reflections on how what we did here fits into a wider context.

Please register here before January 22nd: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGfI-vtCTk3XdaGpZvlK37y2VKqZqIV1LUfUiJhsD0OqFlxg/viewform

and join the conference at this Zoom link:
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89954251812?pwd=78KpFxVY3rXY682mEbErjDl7woYVnR.1#success
Meeting ID: 899 5425 1812
Password: 514987

Vanuit het programma van de EDIH Digital Hub Noordwest organiseren BouwLab R&Do en 3D Makers Zone weer een Innovation Dinner.
In een wereld waar we allemaal werken met een scherm, is het belangrijk om stil te staan bij ‘hoe’ we daarmee werken. Hoe verwerken we informatie? Hoe slaan we informatie op? Hoe voorkomen we een overload aan mails en data? En hoe zorgen we ervoor dat we efficiënt blijven in een steeds digitaler landschap?
Om organisaties en hun medewerkers hierin te ondersteunen, heeft de overheid samen met verschillende partners de Maand van de Digitale Fitheid gelanceerd. Deze jaarlijkse campagne in maart richt zich op de digitale vaardigheden van de 4 miljoen keniswerkers in Nederland.
Samen met Martijn Aslander, een van de initiatiefnemers van deze campagne en auteur van onder andere ‘Ons werk is Stuk’, nemen we je mee in de wereld van digitale fitheid en de vijf essentiële pijlers:

• Digitaal bewustzijn
• Digitale Hygiëne
• Digitale vaardigheden
• Persoonlijk kennismanagement
• Persoonlijke groei met hulp van technologie

Are you interested in the possibilities of doing business with the United Nations (UN), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank (WB)? And would you like to get in touch with these organisations? Join us at UN IPS 2025 in Copenhagen! More info:
 
https://english.rvo.nl/topics/international-network/international-organisations

Bent u benieuwd naar de mogelijkheden om zaken te doen met de Verenigde Naties (VN), de Asian Development Bank (ADB) en de Wereldbank (WB)? Ga op 11 en 12 maart 2025 mee naar UN IPS 2025 in Kopenhagen. Lees meer en meld je aan:
 
https://www.rvo.nl/evenementen/un-international-procurement-seminar-2025-kopenhagen

Do you work on innovative new ideas and are in for a project where talented students develop digital prototypes of websites aiming for Change? Do you want work with students from the most innovative datascience programme of the University of Amsterdam? Please reach out to me and drop me an email at: s.a.hansen@uva.nl or call me.

Students Computational Social Science are tasked with designing a website aimed at driving behavioral change in the contexts of climate change, surveillance, renewable energy, Circular economy or health. The project involves iterative prototyping and testing phases, which include conducting focus groups and experiments to refine users’ experience and impact.

The final deliverables include:

• A website (in python)
• A written report, investing divergent stakeholder perspectives and emphasizing effective opportunities for digital interventions

Students will also prepare and deliver a presentation of the study’s major findings to the partner, stakeholders, and their peers.

In 16 weeks from a challenge and idea into a prototype.
The only commitment we ask is your time, for at least 1 hour a week.
Please let us know if you have interesting project ideas!

greetings, Suzanne Hansen, head of partnerships Computational Social Science
M: 06- 482 72 193 | s.a.hansen@uva.nl

--

De opleiding Computational Social Science, is een innovatieve datascience opleiding van de UvA gericht op de publieke sector. Onze internationale en gepassioneerde studenten werken 2x per jaar, in februari en september in teams aan digitale producten zoals websites, data analyses, infographics en meer.

Wat wij zoeken zijn ambitieuze opdrachtgevers en innovators, die 1 uur per week willen investeren en boeiende challenges kunnen aandragen gericht op gedragsverandering en systeemverandering.

Bel gerust als je meer informatie wilt. Mijn nummer is 06- 482 72 193 en mail is s.a.hansen@uva.nl

Onze studenten werken op de Roeterseiland campus in Adam Oost, waar we voor onze partners ook een fijne werkplek kunnen bieden op de momenten dat zij online of fysiek studenten coachen en inspireren.

From January 1 2025, a zero-emission zone will be introduced in the centre of Amsterdam, with the aim of improving air quality and making the city healthier and more liveable. This policy helps achieve climate goals and supports the ambition of becoming climate neutral by 2050. It encourages zero-emission urban logistics, which contributes to reduced pollution, noise, and traffic congestion. And cleaner air also has positive effects on the health and well-being of residents. With this initiative, Amsterdam - and other Dutch cities implementing such zones this year - aim to set an example for other cities and stimulate innovation in sustainable mobility. The so-called "zero-emission zone" is therefore an essential measure in the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable city.

This transition will only succeed through collaboration. Therefore, considerable attention is being paid to the experiences and needs of small business owners in the city. Think of; market vendors, house painters, and local greengrocers. What kind of support do they need to transition to zero-emission vehicles, and how do entrepreneurs creatively adapt to the transition and new rules? Other cities and municipalities are closely observing and there is a strong need for knowledge sharing. It is important that the experiences and lessons learned from Amsterdam, as one of the pioneers, are well-documented and shared on a national and international scale.

Last Thursday, December 12, we gathered at film house Lab111 for the last Knowledge- and Demoday of the year. Together with the network, we celebrated the festive close of 2024, reflected on the lessons learned over the past year, and took a look ahead at the future. The day featured and engaging Knowledge Sessions by DRIFT and dynamic 7-minute pitches where we shared insights from various innovation projects from the past year.

In this article, we’ll provide you with a quick overview of the Knowledge Session and Pitches.

About our Demodays

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

Knowledge Session: The Business of Transition

Together with DRIFT (Dutch Research Institute for Transitions) we dove into the topic: the "Business of Transition." How can businesses embrace the concept of "radical change"? And how do they balance collective interests with self-interest? Teun Strikkers and Floor van den Elzen guided the audience through the complex world of systemic change and the role businesses play in these processes. Read Jills full report here.

Pitches

AMS Institute & University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam | ATELIER

Project Manager Omar Shafqat (University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam) and Urban Living Lab Developer Juanita Devis (AMS Institute) shared their experiences with the ATELIER project, an EU-funded Smart City initiative aimed at creating and replicating Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) within two Lighthouse Cities (Amsterdam and Bilbao) and six Fellow Cities.

Over the past year, they have worked on a tangible project: the actual development and implementation of an energy community and a positive energy district in the Buiksloterham neighbourhood in Amsterdam Noord. The buildings have been constructed, and residents have moved in. The programme will continue for another six months, during which the team will evaluate their impact, reflect on lessons learned, and explore how this model can be replicated in other cities across the globe.

The challenges they shared were diverse. For instance, there were issues related to governance and the community aspect: residents moved into the homes and subsequently became part of an energy community, without having actively chosen to do so. Such housing associations (VVE’s) require significant commitment and expertise. Meanwhile, the municipality also struggled to determine its role and relationship with this new community. Financially, there were hurdles as well. While this project benefitted from significant research funding and attention, it remains far more difficult to free up resources within regular development and construction processes to accelerate the implementation of PEDs. As a result, scaling up remains highly challenging and complex.
Finally, they discussed the need to maintain momentum and the importance of gathering and sharing their impact and lessons. This, too, requires considerable energy and is just as crucial as the success of the project itself. The Fellow Cities in the project are already adopting many elements, but to further disseminate this story, many more presentations and ongoing co-creation moments with various stakeholders in the field will be necessary.

While this project is well known within the network, it once again became clear that many in the audience were hearing about it for the first time. It seemed perfectly logical to them that this concept should be presented more often at the very start of planning and developing new neighbourhoods.

As a network, we also feel a responsibility to help spread this story, and we are delighted to announce that we will be collaborating on the Innovation Ateliers in the coming year. More on this to follow!

Municipality of Amsterdam | Circular Economy Monitor

By 2030, Amsterdam aims to reduce the use of new, non-renewable materials by 50%. An ambitious goal, but how do you actually measure that? Jorren Bosga from the City of Amsterdam shared more about this challenge.

The measurement process started five years ago, at a time when the circular economy was still in its infancy at the policy level. They gradually discovered which data was needed as they went along. By now, current and historical material flows have been mapped out, and connections to behaviour have already been established. Some surprising insights from this process include the fact that the average Amsterdam resident has a lower CO₂ footprint than the average Dutch citizen, and that the higher someone’s income, the higher their footprint tends to be.

The focus is now shifting towards the future, with a more detailed look at specific domains. Because the current situation has been mapped out, it becomes possible to ask questions like: What can we influence through policy? And how much material use or CO₂ reduction can we expect as a result?

Jorren also highlighted several challenges, particularly around data collection. These include linking data across different scales and from multiple sources. Measuring data across the full scope of the transition can encompass a vast number of sectors – think of construction, food, and consumer systems, among others. This sheer volume of data can be overwhelming, and maintaining it structurally adds another layer of complexity. Furthermore, the scale at which data is measured does not always align with the scale at which the municipality has influence.

Finally, Jorren emphasised to the network that insights are only useful if they lead to action. For his team, it is therefore essential to work closely with policymakers. He also pointed out that while it is important to measure impact to understand whether you are on the right track, ‘impact’ can mean many things. For instance: Should the datasets be as complete as possible, or is the growing interest in- and adoption of Circular Economy principles the ultimate goal?

Looking ahead to 2025, Jorren and his colleagues will, among other things, focus on making the Circular Economy Database more transparent and shareable, while also contributing to the new Circular Economy strategy for the City of Amsterdam. We’ll be keeping an eye on their progress!

Arcadis | The Healthy City Index 2024

Inge Noten and Renée Schoonbeek presented the Gezonde Stad Index (Healthy City Index). Every two years, Arcadis publishes this comparison of 25 cities. This is the third edition. Using public data, they compare how cities perform on the physical characteristics of a healthy city, as previously defined by the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment).

This year, Apeldoorn was presented as the winner. Key factors contributing to this city’s higher score compared to others include its green character, an increase in active mobility without a corresponding rise in accidents, and a strong sense of safety and social cohesion (for example, through neighbourhood and community activities).
Some interesting general findings include that urban densification is happening everywhere, yet this can go hand in hand with greening efforts. Additionally, while active mobility is increasing, the number of accidents is also on the rise, likely due to increasingly busy cycle paths with varying speeds.

Inge and Renée emphasised to the audience how valuable it is to occasionally abstract data on a large, quantitative scale before diving deeper into the details. The overview provided by the index offers an excellent starting point for discussions with municipalities about what is currently working well or poorly. Moreover, while the index focuses on the physical environment, it only addresses one aspect of overall health. Therefore, collaboration and integration with other health-related themes are essential and very welcome.

Finally, a healthy city is never truly ‘finished’. Both the index and the cities themselves continue to evolve and improve.

Hieroo | Community Wealth Building and the “Buy Local”platform (Koop Lokaal Platform)

Mirna Nasr and Thomas Siderius gave an pitch about Community Wealth Building and the “Buy Local” platform in the Nieuw-West district of Amsterdam. They are collaborating within the framework of the National Program "Together New West," an initiative involving seven different parties in Nieuw-West. The goal is to strengthen the local economy through the Community Wealth Building (CWB) model, which aims to minimize extraction from the local economy. The idea is to circulate as much money as possible locally, for the benefit of the area's residents.

Community Wealth Building is an economic model focused on creating sustainable, local prosperity. This is done by strengthening local organizations and businesses so that the profits stay within the community. In Nieuw-West, the "Buy Local" platform is being developed as an initial phase of a potentially larger system, where local entrepreneurs, businesses, and residents directly benefit from the circulation of local money. The aim is to further develop this platform to strengthen the local economy and contribute to more than just the profits of entrepreneurs.

The "Buy Local" platform has been under development for some time, and at present, active discussions are being held with local entrepreneurs and residents to map out the needs and wishes of the community. One of the biggest challenges mentioned by Mirna and Thomas is the active mobilization and involvement of local network builders and entrepreneurs. While there is a lot of enthusiasm about the possibilities of the platform, it remains difficult to effectively activate existing networks. Another important aspect of platform development is learning by doing. This applies not only to the initiators but also to the involved entrepreneurs. Success stories play a crucial role here, as they show how local businesses can benefit from the platform and the local money system.

In 2025, Mirna and Thomas will focus on further developing the "Buy Local" platform and expanding the possibilities for local payments. Linking different types of accounts to the platform could be a way to integrate local subsidy forms, such as neighborhood budgets, into the system. They are also looking at examples from other cities, such as Santa Coloma in Spain, where shops use a local currency, and residents receive part of their benefits and allowances on a local account. This could be a great model for Nieuw-West.

At the final Knowledge and Demo Day of the year, DRIFT (Dutch Research Institute for Transitions) presented an engaging session on the "Business of Transition." How can businesses embrace the concept of "radical change"? And how do they balance collective interests with self-interest? Teun Strikkers and Floor van den Elzen guided the audience through the complex world of systemic change and the role businesses play in these processes.

Teun began with a personal story from his time living in Norway, where he witnessed glaciers retreating. This experience prompted a critical question: why is it so hard to solve major problems like climate change?

He proposed several answers:
• Difficulty in defining boundaries (issues are interconnected).
• Problems occur across different times and locations.
• Attempts to solve problems sometimes exacerbate them.
• Disagreements not only about solutions but also about the nature of the problem itself.
• Problems are persistent or "sticky."

Teun explained that many challenges stem from the lack of clear boundaries within complex adaptive systems. These systems, like economies or energy networks, are made up of interconnected parts that constantly adapt to changes, making it hard to set boundaries or implement change.

What Are Transitions?

Transitions are fundamental, transformative changes that affect culture, structures, and practices. Teun referred to the traditional S-curve model often used to describe the lifecycle of transitions but introduced a more modern alternative: the X-curve. This model better captures the dynamics of transitions, highlighting the interplay between innovation and the dismantling of old structures.

The dynamics of a transition include:
Reconfiguration: What needs adjustment, redesign, or recalibration?
Consolidation: Which new principles and values should be formalized into norms, laws, and regulations?
Scaling: What initiatives require more support, investment, or visibility?
Phasing out: What needs to be retired, and how can this process be facilitated?

Entrepreneurship and Transitions

Floor focused on the practical side of transitions and the role of entrepreneurship. She noted that businesses often struggle to connect their daily operations with broader systemic changes. However, she emphasized, “The business of business is transitions” — companies must take responsibility for their role in driving sustainable change.

One illustrative example was the OV-fiets (a shared bicycle service), which started as a small initiative and grew into a nationwide success that promoted sustainable mobility. This example demonstrated how local innovations can contribute to systemic change, even without addressing all problems at once.

Floor also addressed the tension between short- and long-term goals, highlighting the challenge for businesses to balance collective interests with profitability. She spoke about the importance of creating a “learning environment” where businesses continuously reflect on their impact and adapt their strategies to a changing world. Innovation is all about experimentation: “learning by doing, and doing by learning.”

Tensions and Opportunities in Transitions

The session invited active participation from the audience, sparking interesting debates. One participant remarked, “Isn’t the business of business still just business?” Unilever's decision to sell the Vegetarian Butcher due to low profits showed how financial priorities can clash with sustainability goals.

Another discussion focused on the meaning of sustainability. For example, is Tesla still driving change, or is it mainly succeeding by meeting consumer demands? These questions encouraged thinking about what truly makes a company sustainable and how fairness can be part of transition strategies.

Learning from Inspirational Examples

In smaller groups, participants discussed companies like Patagonia, Dopper, and Interface that are succeeding in transitions. They explored why these companies thrive where others struggle and how other players can support such success.

The discussions emphasized the value of collaboration. Social learning — reflecting and experimenting together — was seen as key to driving big changes. One participant noted, “Our individual choices often conflict with what we choose as a group,” highlighting the need for collective action.

The session showed that while transitions are challenging, they are possible if we’re ready to think and act differently. Businesses play a vital role, not just in implementing changes but in leading the way with new models and practices.

Do you want to learn more about DRIFT and this topic? Leave a comment below and we’ll connect you with them!

Wil jij de status quo uitdagen en bijdragen aan een mobiel ecosysteem dat privacy, duurzaamheid en ethische technologie vooropstelt?
💡 Bij Waag Futurelab zijn we vastbesloten om alternatieven te verkennen voor de datahongerige apps en apparaten die momenteel de techwereld domineren. Via ons onderzoeksproject Mobifree nodigen we organisaties in de publieke sector uit om een open-source Murena-smartphone te testen en samen met ons de toekomst van ethische, open-source mobiele technologie in Europa vorm te geven.
Dit is jouw kans om:
✅ Als organisatie Murena-smartphones te testen, voorzien van open-source apps.
✅ Feedback te geven die direct invloed heeft op de volgende generatie mobiele oplossingen.
✅ Bij te dragen aan een duurzaam, veilig en inclusief alternatief voor Big Tech.
🔍 Wat kun je verwachten?

• Doe mee aan een pilot van twee maanden (februari–oktober 2025) en verken hoe open-source tools jouw werk- en persoonlijke behoeften kunnen ondersteunen.
• Test baanbrekende technologie terwijl je pleit voor ethische en duurzame softwareontwikkeling.
• Maakt deel uit van een community die een privacy gerichte en Big Tech-vrije toekomst vormgeeft!

🙌 Wie kan deelnemen?
We een groep van maximaal 30 deelnemers om de volgende kerngebieden te verkennen:

• Besturingssystemen
• Messaging-apps
• Appstores
• Cloudservices

📩 Hoe kun je je aanmelden?
Stuur een e-mail naar bente[at]waag[dot]org met de naam van je organisatie, het aantal deelnemers, gekozen categorieën en een korte motivatie om mee te doen. Vervolgens zullen wij contact met je opnemen!
Doe met ons mee om mobiele technologie opnieuw vorm te geven voor een betere, privacy-respecterende Europa 🌟

Power to the people? Jazeker! Actief burgerschap, gemeenschapszin – het is helemaal in. Mensen zijn toe aan verandering en willen een stem hebben in de dingen die belangrijk voor ze zijn. De grote uitdagingen van onze tijd vragen om grote oplossingen en daar willen we onderdeel van zijn. Meer en meer krijgen we dat samen voor elkaar, buiten de gebaande paden, in vernieuwende organisatievormen, of op eigen initiatief – niet langer aan de zijlijn, maar midden in het speelveld. Van samen je eigen droomwoning maken tot het testen van ons collectief vermogen om te delen.

Ontmoet de doeners en makers die de maatschappij terugpakken om de wereld vooruit te helpen. Op 29 januari organiseren A Lab en Vandejong de 5e editie van Curious about... We duiken in nieuwe organisatievormen, nieuwe woonvormen, nieuwe zorgvormen en nieuwe natuur. Er zijn succesverhalen en hobbels op de weg. We ontrafelen hoe geld onze samenleving beïnvloedt, krijgen inzicht en handvatten om onze idealen te verwezenlijken, we leren hoe een initiatief niet wordt overgenomen door kapitaal en hoe niks zorgt voor meer... Bekijk het volledige programma en meld je gratis aan op a-lab.nl.

On December 18, join us for an evening in Amsterdam where we talk about Speed and Safety in cities. Do safer vehicles make us forget the need for safer streets?

Townmaking Institute in collaboration with Gemeente Amsterdam

In conversation with
Carl Honoré: Writer, speaker, broadcaster, advocate of the Slow Movement
Luca Bertolini: Professor of Urban Planning UvA
Onno Kramer: Head Collection Management at Accel

Vehicle speeds, whether cars, trucks, or e-bikes, profoundly affect our experience of cities. What feels too fast or too slow often depends on the place we occupy in traffic: a pedestrian may feel endangered by a motorist’s speed, while the motorist simply wants to reach their destination.

Traditionally, fixed speed limits have been the solution, but these don’t account for the dynamic nature of urban spaces, nor the emergence of new vehicle types. Unsafe streets push people into safer vehicles, but in doing so, we risk neglecting making safer streets.

To create safer, more livable streets, we need to rethink our approach to speed regulation, considering the evolving complexity of urban life.

This event marks the start of our journey towards the Speed Summit in 2025. The conversation opens with Carl Honoré, Luca Bertolini, and Onno Kramer exploring what should come first for liveable cities: safe streets or safe vehicles.

Event Details:
Wednesday, 18th December 2024
At 20:00 hours.
Grote Zaal, Pakhuis de Zwijger,
Piet Heinkade 179,
1019 HC Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Townmaking Podcasts.
Listen to the Townmaking episodes to dive deeper into the ideas that help shape the conversation.

https://www.townmaking.com/search/cls-townmaking-podcasts/cnt-s1e7-speed-liveability-and-safety

Back in November 2014, we organized the first Dutch chapter of ThingsCon in Amsterdam, after the inspiring first Berlin edition in spring 2014. After 4 years in Amsterdam, 4 in Rotterdam en 2 Covid editions, we decided to go back to Amsterdam, and also go back to Volkshotel, to mark our 10 years celebration!

Our theme for this edition: Generative Things
The inspiration for this year’s conference is the transformation of the new generative artificial intelligence in our digital lives to the physical world, the objects we use, and the places we live. What will be the physical realization of the “generative twin intelligence”? What will it mean for makers and designers of these things? How will ethics play out, and what new models of use and trust will emerge?

The program is ready. Check the latest confirmed program here. They are all inspired by this theme.

• Workshops and talks
• Exhibition with the best work
• Specially commissioned exhibition

On the latter:
We want to create an exhibition commissioned by ThingsCon to explore the next decade of living with things. We hope to inspire designers and makers of future things. We like to explain the context of an experience that ignites debate and critical thinking by engaging our community through speculative objects and things.

Our program:
🎓 <strong>Thursday</strong>: long-form workshops for even more in-depth knowledge exchange and interacting with peers.
🎉 <strong>Thursday evening</strong>: celebrating 10 years of ThingsCon with special evening program with inspirational talks, music, and drinks
🎤 <strong>Friday</strong>: the good old mix of inspiring keynotes, short project-pitches, 2-hour workshops, exhibition, and meeting each-other.

This year, the regular price for one day is <strong>100 eu</strong>, and the full conference pass is <strong>175 eu</strong>. The ticket includes entrance and catering on the conference days. You are also invited to join our special Thursday evening program.

https://thingscon.org/th-ngs-2024/registration/

In early November, I travelled to Barcelona for the third time to attend the Smart City Expo World Congress. Together with the Amsterdam InChange Team, some of our network partners, and the Dutch delegation, we put together a strong content-focused programme, gained inspiration, and strengthened both international and national connections. In this article, I’ll briefly share some of my personal highlights from this trip. 

International Delegations: Building International Connections and Knowledge Exchange at the Expo

During the congress, I organised several guided visits from the Dutch Pavilion in collaboration with the DMI-Ecosystem. The aim of these visits was to connect the Dutch delegation with international colleagues and facilitate knowledge exchange. At the busy expo, full of companies, cities, regions, and conference stages, it’s really appreciated to join planned meetings on specific themes. It’s also a great chance to meet many international representatives in just a few days, since everyone is in the same place at the same time. 

We visited and connected with the pavilions of EIT Urban Mobility, Forum Virium (Helsinki), the European Commission, and Catalonian innovations. Topics such as The Future of Mobility, Digital Twins, and Net Zero Cities were central to the discussions. It was a good opportunity to strengthen existing networks and establish new connections. For myself, for Amsterdam InChange, and for the participants joining the meetings.  

A few aspects of the visits particularly stood out to me. At Forum Virium Helsinki we met with Timo Sillander and Jaana Halonen. I was impressed by their work with Digital Twins. They focus not only on the technology itself and the efficiency of urban systems, but also on the social dimensions a digital simulation can play into. Think of; unequal distributions of risks related to climate change and extreme weather conditions.  

I also appreciated the efforts of the European Commission. They are working to make it easier to navigate research topics, funding opportunities, and findings related to themes like energy-neutral cities. With their new marketplace, there is more focus on small and medium-sized cities across Europe, helping them to benefit from innovations that are often developed in larger urban areas.   

Collaborating Internationally on a Regional Challenge: Zero-Emission Zones and City Logistics

On Tuesday, my colleague Chris and I organised a session on zero-emission city logistics. We brought together representatives from Oslo, Helsinki, Stockholm, Munich, and EIT Urban Mobility, as well as the Dutch municipalities of Haarlemmermeer and Amsterdam. 

The session built on connections we made during other events on Sunday and Monday, bringing together an international group of stakeholders interested in this topic. During the discussion, we compared how different cities are approaching zero-emission zones and identified shared challenges, particularly in policymaking and working with logistics companies and local entrepreneurs. 

It was interesting to see how this topic lends itself so well to international comparison and exchange. For instance, while Amsterdam will be one of the first to implement a strict ZE zone in the city centre, other cities are already ahead in areas like charging infrastructure and the transition to cargo bikes. The group was eager to keep the discussion going, and we’re already planning a follow-up online meeting to continue learning from one another.  

Future-Proof Sports Fields, International Dinners, and Bicycles

Finally, a few other topics worth mentioning: I joined an international session hosted by the City of Amsterdam about future-proof sports fields. It was inspiring to reflect on the value and potential of sports fields for neighbourhoods, as well as their use as testing grounds for sustainable innovations. For me, the session reinforced how important these spaces are for local communities in cities, and sparked a new personal interest in this subject. 

I also really enjoyed both our own international changemakers’ dinner and another international dinner hosted by Drees & Sommer (thanks for the invitation!). Bringing together an international network — whether as individuals or in small groups — and mixing them at the table sparked meaningful conversations that felt different from those during the formal congress sessions or workshops. 

Lastly, it’s great to see more Superblocks and bicycles in the city every year! Go Barcelona! 

Makers’ playground for better futures 
Ever felt that spark of creativity, that urge to build something meaningful, but didn’t know where to start? Is your organisation on the path for transformation and you seek inspiration for the next step?

On January 22 (17:00 – 20:00), dive into our Showcase where our trainee teams from the Digital Transformation Intensive Programme will exhibit their impactful work on challenges from our partners. Experience firsthand how repeated iterations and bold experimentation shaped their innovative solutions.

Beyond the exhibition, our talk show will feature inspiring speakers who pave the road for change, embracing alternative approaches to design for transformation.
Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just beginning to explore how to meaningfully use your creative potential, join our community of resilient innovators. Connect with like-minded individuals and organisations in our Clubhouse or tune in via [our YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/live/Swkf13n32aA?feature=shared "https://www.youtube.com/live/Swkf13n32aA?feature=shared").

So, mark your calendars and be part of this celebration of maker courage and persistence!
 

PROGRAMME

We have prepared an exciting programme for you:
17:00 – 17:30 Walk-in & welcome
17:30 – 18:30 Talk Show
Our Talk Show will shed light on alternative approaches to design for transformation. Speakers announced in December
18:30 – 20:00 Networking & drinks
There will be plenty of opportunities to connect with the trainees, partners and the extended Digital Society School community, so don’t miss out!

Sturgeon, het AI-initiatief van UMC Utrecht en Oncode Institute is dit jaar de winnaar van de Dutch Applied AI Award 2024. Naast deze award heeft de AI-toepassing ook de Computable Award in de categorie ‘Zorgproject’  gewonnen.
 
In verkorte tijd het type hersentumor bepalen met behulp van AI
 
Dankzij de inzet van AI kunnen neurochirurgen sneller bepalen met welk type hersentumor zij te maken hebben. De technologie vermindert de tijd die nodig is voor het stellen van een diagnose, van dagen naar ongeveer drie kwartier. Een behandelplan kan hierdoor sneller worden opgesteld. De technologie is ontwikkeld door de onderzoeksgroep van biomedicus Jeroen de Ridder van UMC Utrecht en Oncode Institute. Het algoritme dat het type hersentumor moet bepalen is getraind op miljoenen onvolledige datavoorbeelden van verschillende typen tumoren. Sturgeon is publiek beschikbaar en het wordt inmiddels ook ingezet in het Máxima Kinderziekenhuis voor het diagnosticeren van kinderkanker.
  
Jury prijst complexiteit van de technologie
 
De jury van de Dutch Applied AI Award heeft bewondering voor de toepassing. “Dit jaar een AI-toepassing in de medische sector, in het bijzonder voor de snelle herkenning van hersentumoren, wat voor zowel patiënt als chirurg een enorme impact heeft. Ze waren met de technologie van Sturgeon in staat om een model te ontwikkelen dat uit een minimale hoeveelheid pixels een accurate diagnose kan stellen, en dat in ongeveer drie kwartier tijd”.  Aldus Nanda Piersma, jurylid van de Dutch Applied AI Award.
 
Het is de vijfde keer dat de Dutch Applied AI Award werd uitgereikt. Dit jaar in de jury: 

·       Nanda Piersma (Hogeschool van Amsterdam) 
·       Anouk Dutreé (De Dataloog & UbiOps) 
·       Omar Niamut (Hogeschool van Amsterdam & TNO) 
·       Maaike Harbers (Hogeschool Rotterdam) 
·       Jann de Waal (Topsector Creatieve Industrie) 
·       Sander Hulsman (Jaarbeurs Utrecht)
 
Over de Dutch Applied AI Award 

This free of charge training will be given in Dutch!

Protect your ideas and strengthen your competitive advantage with the basic Intellectual Property Rights training.

What will you learn during the training?
- Introduction to different IP rights: get a clear understanding of the IP rights that protect you.
- Real-life examples of collaboration and ownership: Learn how IP rights work in collaborations.
- Freedom to operate: discover how to preserve room to innovate without legal risks.
- The value of technical details in patent publications: Understand how these details give you an advantage in the market.

When: Monday, 9 December 2024 15.30 - 18.00

Location: Ondernemersplein Almere (cityhal Almere), Stadhuisplein 1, 1315HR Almere

Op 12 december sluiten we met onze 26ste Kennis- en Demodag het jaar af bij LAB111! LAB111 is een cult cinema gevestigd in een monumentaal oud pathologisch anatomisch laboratorium in Amsterdam-West.

De Amsterdam Smart City 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.

Deze editie is een speciale editie van de Kennis- en Demodag. Er zijn deze middag geen werksessies, maar is er meer tijd en aandacht voor de pitches, waarin we als netwerk onze learnings van 2024 met elkaar delen. We horen graag van jullie of je bij wilt dragen aan het programma door via een pitch meer te delen over jouw innovatieproject en learnings van het afgelopen jaar. Laat het ons weten via pelle@amsterdaminchange.com!

We sluiten deze middag af met een hapje en drankje waarbij er speciale aandacht is voor het afscheid van onze Programmadirecteur Francien.

Kennissessie

Kennissessie: Business In Transition | DRIFT
Bij DRIFT werken we aan systeemverandering naar een duurzame en rechtvaardige samenleving. Want hoewel onze huidige manier van doen ons veel heeft gebracht, lopen we inmiddels op allerlei plekken vast en volgt de ene crisis de andere op. Als we persistente problemen als klimaatverandering, biodiversiteitsverlies en toenemende ongelijkheid echt willen aanpakken zullen we op een heel andere manier naar onze maatschappij moeten gaan kijken. Daar hebben we iedereen bij nodig, en niet in de laatste plaats het bedrijfsleven!

Hoe werk je aan transities vanuit een bedrijfslogica? Hoe stel je de status quo ter discussie terwijl je er ook onderdeel van uitmaakt? En waar leent het bedrijfsleven zich misschien wel juist voor transitiegericht werken? Met deze en andere vragen gaan we aan de slag in een interactieve sessie. We gaan in op principes van transitiegericht werken en brengen samen met jullie in kaart waar de kansen en uitdagingen liggen voor bedrijven in transitie.

Pitches: Learnings uit het Amsterdam InChange netwerk

Amsterdam InChange is een lerend netwerk. Aan het einde van het jaar is het belangrijk om stil te staan bij de learnings van onze lopende of afgeronde innovatieprojecten. We bieden het podium aan onze partners en hun innovatieprojecten om te delen wat er goed ging in 2024, maar ook zeker; waar ze tegenaan liepen. Wil jij graag meer over jouw innovatieproject en learnings delen met het netwerk? Laat het ons weten via pelle@amsterdaminchange.com!

Hieroo Amsterdam & NPSNW: Community Wealth Building
Binnen het Nationaal Programma Samen Nieuw-West wordt er gewerkt met de Community Wealth Building aanpak: een economisch ontwikkelmodel om te komen tot een eerlijke, democratische lokale economie. De focus van deze aanpak is het creëren van meer eigenaarschap en zeggenschap, en het langer en vaker lokaal circuleren van geldstromen. Om dit te bereiken bouwen we aan het versterken van de lokale economische infrastructuur zodat vraag en aanbod elkaar beter kunnen vinden binnen het stadsdeel. Een concreet startpunt hiervan is het Koop Lokaal Platform Nieuw-West (www.kooplokaalnieuwwest.nl), waar zzp’ers en lokaal MKB gevonden kunnen worden. We onderzoeken de mogelijkheden om dit platform verder uit te breiden, bijvoorbeeld door bepaalde subsidies (bv. Buurtbudgetten) uit te keren aan/via de bedrijven op dit platform, door een lokale betaalrekening er aan te koppelen (naar voorbeeld van Santa Coloma).

Hogeschool van Amsterdam: ATELIER
Al vijf jaar werkt ATELIER in Buiksloterham aan een wijk die meer energie opwekt dan het verbruikt, met slimme energietoepassingen die in de praktijk worden gebracht. Het doel? Het realiseren van positieve energiedistricten (PED's) in Amsterdam en Bilbao om 1,7 kton CO2-uitstoot te besparen. Wat komt er allemaal kijken bij het opzetten van een energiegemeenschap, welke mogelijkheden en structuren er nodig zijn voor het actief delen van energie, hoe kunnen batterijen ingezet kunnen worden om netcongestie tegen te gaan, en hoe kan het concept data commons bijdragen aan een duurzame wijkontwikkeling? We blikken terug op de resultaten en bespreken de toekomstplannen.

Gemeente Amsterdam: Monitor circulaire Economie
Amsterdam heeft als plan om in 2050 volledig circulair te zijn. Het ontbreekt alleen nog aan een goed overzicht van hoe ver we daarmee gevorderd zijn. De Monitor Circulaire Economie verandert dit door nieuwe gegevensbronnen beschikbaar te stellen en methoden te ontwikkelen om die gegevens te analyseren.

Arcadis: De Gezonde Stad Index
Renée Schoonbeek vertelt ons meer over het tweejaarlijks onderzoek naar de bijdrage van de fysieke stedelijke inrichting aan de gezondheid van de bewoners. Een vergelijking van 25 Nederlandse steden.

Klinkt het programma interessant? Je bent welkom om aan te sluiten. Laat het ons weten en stuur een korte motivatie naar sophie@amsterdamsmartcity.com. De Kennis- en Demodag is van 13:30-16:00 met een borrel na afloop.

In the beginning of November, the Amsterdam InChange team and network visited the Smart City World Expo Congress (SCEWC) in Barcelona. The yearly event is the place where companies, entrepreneurs, start-ups, cities, and research institutions in the field of innovation and smart cities meet. Amsterdam InChange joined the Dutch delegation and collaborated on a broad programme together with various partners. Our days were filled with inspiration, international exchange and deeper connections. Curious to what we’ve been up in Barcelona? Read our recap below.

Alderman Charif El Idrissi Joins Amsterdam InChange and the Dutch Delegation

What made this year’s visit to Barcelona truly special is that Alderman Charif El Idrissi from the Municipality of Haarlemmermeer joined us not only as an ambassador for Amsterdam InChange but also as the mission leader for the Dutch delegation! Together with Alderwoman Eva Oosters from the Municipality of Utrecht, Charif led the group of Dutch participants and was the face of the Dutch delegation. On Sunday, Charif addressed the Dutch delegation with encouraging words at the kick-off, and on Tuesday, he officially opened the Dutch pavilion together with Eva Oosters and the Dutch Ambassador in Spain Roel Nieuwenkamp. Reflecting on the visit to SCEWC, Charif said: “It was an honor to lead Team NL and represent our nation on the global stage of digitalization and innovation. We’re excelling as a small country, and each year brings new connections and collaborative opportunities that only strengthen our position. And I look forward to bringing all insights and inspiration back to the municipality of Haarlemmermeer”

Connecting with Our Partners: Smart Ports Excursion with SPIE

On Monday, Amsterdam InChange co-organized an excursion to the Port of Barcelona with our partner SPIE. It brought back some nostalgic feelings, as it was here in Barcelona that we signed our partnership contract a year ago. The excursion focused primarily on knowledge exchange around smart energy, water, and infrastructure. The Port of Barcelona has set the goal of reducing CO₂ emissions by 50% by 2030 and becoming an emissions-neutral port by 2050. Carles Rúa Costa, Head of Innovation at the Port of Barcelona, gave an insightful presentation highlighting the critical role ports play in the energy transition. To conclude this inspiring morning, we took a boat tour through the port, where Carles told us more about the port and its operations.

International Next Level Changemakers Dinner

On Monday evening, we hosted our own International Next Level Changemakers dinner, where we connected our Amsterdam InChange partners with our international network. It was a night filled with deep conversations, valuable insights, and genuine connections with fellow changemakers committed to building better streets, neighborhoods and cities.

International Delegations: Sharing Knowledge Across Borders

Amsterdam InChange hosted several outgoing missions from the Dutch Pavilion in collaboration with the DMI-Ecosystem. The purpose of these missions was to provide participants of the Dutch delegation opportunities to connect with international colleagues and to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration. The programme consisted of guided visits about topics such as “The Future of Mobility”, “Digital Twins” and “Net Zero Cities” to the pavilions of EIT Urban Mobility, Forum Virium (Helsinki), the European Commission and Catalonia.

Collaborating Internationally on a Regional Challenge: Zero-Emission Zones

On Tuesday, Pelle and Chris organized a session on zero-emission city logistics, bringing together representatives from cities like Oslo, Helsinki, Stockholm, München and Amsterdam. The conversation sparked a lively exchange on how the different cities are tackling urban transport emissions, sharing challenges and solutions for cleaner, sustainable streets. Everyone was genuinely enthusiastic about continuing the conversation after the expo, and they agreed to stay in touch so that we can keep learning from one another.

Amsterdam InChange Takes the Stage

Amsterdam InChange was well represented on stage this year in Barcelona. Leonie had the opportunity to elaborate on the Amsterdam InChange approach in an inspiring keynote. She spoke about our dedication to creating livable cities, emphasizing our commitment to tackling the transition challenges of our time. Leonie highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovations that make a genuinely positive impact on people’s lives, and our people-centered approach.

On Thursday, Francien joined the stage at the Thematic Roundtable: 'Collectively Moving Cities Forward'. She contributed to an international panel on mobilizing citizens, with a particular focus on engaging young people.

We look back on a great week in Barcelona and came back with a mind full of fresh ideas, valuable insights, deeper connections, and a notebook packed with follow-up actions! Do you have any questions or input for us? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our community manager Sophie via sophie@amsterdaminchange.com.

On October 10th, our network gathered for the 25th edition of our Demo Day. This time, the event took place at our partner AMS Institute, located right next to us at the Marineterrein! AMS is working on innovative solutions to make the metropolitan area livable, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. They call this 'Reinventing the City.

In this article, we’ll give you a quick overview of the Knowledge Session, Work Sessions and Pitches. Interested in learning more? Read the full reports by our team members Pelle, Sophie, Christine and Jill (linked below).

About our Demodays

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

Knowledge Session: Boundary Spanners

Together with Dr. Gertjan de Groot, we explored the world of 'Boundary Spanners' — the bridge-builders who tackle societal challenges with creative solutions. How do you connect different worlds, break down barriers, and foster collaboration where obstacles seem to dominate? In an era where collaboration is essential, the role of the boundary spanner is more important than ever. Read Jill’s full report here.

Worksessions

Mobility | Scenarios for Smart Mobility

Guus Kruijssen and Rombout Huisman (Province of North Holland) led a working session on their recent scenario studies – Smart Mobility North Holland 2050. What do we actually mean by future visions and scenarios? What are the different types, and how can they be used? Read Pelle’s full report here.

Circular | A Marketplace for Used Assets

Alliander hosted a session, diving into the challenges and opportunities of creating a marketplace for used assets. What happens to industrial materials like transformers and switchgear once they’ve served their purpose? Can these essential components get a second life? Read Christine’s full report here.

Energy | Safety in the energy transition

During this work session Johan de Vries (Safety Region Amsterdam-Amstelland) and Tommy Borger (Municipality of Amsterdam) introduced the participants to the topic of safety in the energy transition. Together, we explored how to effectively integrate safety measures into energy transition projects, without slowing down critical progress. Read Sophie’s full report here.

General | The LCA Game

What do you actually need to make a shoe? And how can this production process be as sustainable and cost-efficient as possible? Cenex Netherlands organized a workshop aimed at testing and improving their ‘Life Cycle Assessment’ (LCA) game. Read Jill’s full report here.

Pitches

And of course, we enjoyed some inspiring pitches. Below are the topics presented.

Coding the Curbs | Smart Zones | Jaap Tjebbes
Coding the Curbs is the pioneer in Europe in the field of digital management of public spaces. Our platform offers an easy way for people to reserve and flexibly use public spaces — from a logistics hub in the morning to a cozy terrace in the afternoon.

Alderli | A camera that detects falls using AI | Jacob Vermeule and Stijn Vos
Alderli is an IoT system that detects falls in elderly people using an infrared camera. The product recognizes a fall and alerts caregivers without infringing on the privacy of the person who has fallen.

Droppie | Cash for separated waste | Natascha Hermsen and Stef Traa
Droppie encourages consumers to separate recyclables at home and bring clean materials to the Droppie waste lab. In exchange, they receive a payment per kilogram of waste. This model ensures that waste processing becomes not only more environmentally friendly but also financially attractive for participants.

Our last Demoday of 2024 will take place on December 12.