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.

After seven years with Amsterdam InChange, our Programme Director, Francien Huizing, will be leaving the team as of December 1st. Francien has been more than just a Programme Director for us — she's been a driving force behind everything we’ve built together. She helped shape the unique vibrant and open space we created as a network, guided our young and talented team, brought in new partners, and led us through the transition from Amsterdam Smart City to Amsterdam InChange, making sure our new identity and vision resonated with our mission.

“With immense joy, I have worked alongside the team and a fantastic network to create better streets, neighbourhoods, and cities. The openness, cheerfulness, and incredible drive of everyone has always given me a lot of energy, and I am grateful for everything we have accomplished together.” - Francien Huizing

Francien’s passion and dedication for our network have left a lasting mark on Amsterdam InChange and all of us who worked alongside her. Francien, on behalf of the team and network, we thank you for the energy, vision, and support!

We are doing our utmost to find a replacement for Francien's role by January 1st. Until then, Jessica Peters-Hondelink (Director of Amsterdam Economic Board) will temporarily take on this role.

If you would like to leave a message for her or want to join her farewell drinks, feel free to email us at info@amsterdaminchange.com.

[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.

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.

The energy transition is well underway, integrating electric vehicles, solar panels, battery storage, and other innovations into our daily lives. However, this shift also introduces new and unfamiliar safety challenges. For example, electric vehicle fires require specialized extinguishing methods. Unfortunately, these safety risks are often overlooked within energy transition projects or addressed only in hindsight. To address this issue, 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 during this work session on Demoday #25. Together, we explored how to effectively integrate safety measures into energy transition projects, without slowing down critical progress.

Introduction to safety in the energy transition

Johan opened the session by explaining why the fire department and safety region are directly involved in the energy transition. “When things go wrong, the fire department is called in,” he explained. Even with their preparedness for emerging dangers, the fire department faces growing challenges with electrification and batteries. For example, as the number of emission-free vehicles increases, so does the risk posed by (older) batteries, which can lead to fires in electric cars. Sustainable innovations, he emphasized, are not inherently safe innovations. Johan mentioned the Johan Cruijff ArenA as an example, home to Europe’s largest energy storage system using second-life electric vehicle batteries. While it is a sustainable solution, questions about its safety remain.

Collaboration and awareness is key!

The participants then engaged in discussions centered around two questions:

1. Can safety go hand in hand with speed in the energy transition?
2. Is collaboration in the energy transition a threat or an opportunity?

The group agreed that while speed is important when it comes to the energy transition, sometimes slowing down is necessary to avoid risks. Although not all dangers can be prevented, progress can be made by learning from experiences along the way. Although collaboration sometimes slows things down, it was seen as an important aspect when it comes to safety in the energy transition. Participants suggested that the fire department could work more closely with manufacturers, such as those producing electric vehicles, to make safety a shared responsibility. Additionally, the safety region could become a partner in regional innovation projects, such as ATELIER, to ensure safety is integrated from the start.

The session concluded with consensus on one pressing issue: there is a significant lack of awareness about safety in the energy transition. This blind spot often results in insufficient attention to safety risks in energy transition projects. One suggestion was to publish an article in a national newspaper to raise public awareness of these challenges. Through this session, we addressed the issue of safety in the energy transition in the Amsterdam InChange network. Johan gained valuable insights on collaborating with other parties in the Amsterdam Region and is looking into how the safety region can build on this session’s outcomes and give it a meaningful follow-up.

Would you like to learn more, or do you have any input for Johan? Leave a comment and I’ll connect you with Johan!

What happens to industrial materials like transformers and switchgear once they’ve served their purpose? Can these essential components get a second life? During the Demo Day on October 10th, Alliander hosted a session, diving into the challenges and opportunities of creating a marketplace for used assets. The workshop explored how these materials could not only be repurposed internally but also made available for new applications elsewhere.

Workshop Structure and Focus

The session used an interactive approach, inviting participants to explore key parts of a circular supply chain. The discussion was centred around three main questions:

1. What are examples of successful circular supply chains, and who might be interested in used assets?
2. What does an ideal circular supply chain look like?
3. What conditions must be met for such a chain to succeed?

This framework fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas, revealing both opportunities and obstacles for implementing a marketplace for used assets.

Key Challenges

The session highlighted several challenges that need to be addressed to create an effective marketplace:

• Material tracking and data management: How to effectively map available materials?
• IT systems: What systems are needed to support the marketplace?
• Guarantees and support: How to ensure the quality and reliability of reused materials?
• Predictability: How to forecast the availability of reusable materials?
• Value assessment: How to determine the market value of used assets?

Insights and Recommendations

Participants emphasized the importance of collaboration with other grid operators and external stakeholders to maximize reuse potential. Key recommendations included:

• Start with a single product category, such as transformers, and map the entire supply chain.
• Establish KPIs to measure success and use these to test hypotheses through experimentation.
• Develop standardized platforms for sharing information about available materials.
• Strengthen partnerships with suppliers and other grid operators.

Action Points

The following concrete next steps were outlined:
1. Map the circular supply chain for transformers and tools.
2. Engage with the procurement director to promote collaboration.
3. Create an inventory of available transformers.
4. Develop KPIs to track and measure progress.
5. Explore partnerships to advance circular procurement.

The session provided valuable insights and a clear roadmap for developing Alliander’s marketplace for used assets. By starting with a specific product group and gradually scaling efforts, Alliander aims to make an impact in advancing the circular economy.

Are you interested in the marketplace for used assets? Leave a comment below and we’ll connect you with Catharina Driesse from Alliander.

During our Knowledge and Demo Day on 10 October (2024), Guus Kruijssen and Rombout Huisman (Province of North Holland) led a working session on their recent scenario studies – Smart Mobility North Holland 2050. In this report, I will share the four ‘Context’ scenarios they developed, the process, and the discussions with the session participants.

Objectives of the Scenario Study

What do we actually mean by future visions and scenarios? What are the different types, and how can they be used? A discussion among the participants quickly highlighted the many different motivations, forms, and use cases. Rombout and Guus began by explaining their aim for this study.

The province of North Holland plays various roles in the field of mobility as a policymaker, road manager, and concession provider. Given the major challenges related to housing, CO2 emissions reduction, and road safety, their perspective on the future of mobility revolves around Reducing (travel), Improving (travel options), and Changing (travel behaviour). This perspective forms the basis for developing, operationalising, and maintaining their strategy – a cycle that spans approximately 50 years. However, digital developments and innovations are making the world change faster than ever, necessitating greater awareness of possible contextual changes. The key question is: how do the choices we make now relate to the different possible futures?

To explore this, a team of colleagues embarked on developing four challenging context scenarios. Working with internal and external experts, they moved from an environmental analysis and contextual factors to scenarios and strategic insights. The process and outcomes were kept administrative and had no political or policy-driven focus. The result is not a set of visions to choose from but rather a representation of various developments and challenges that may arise, to which you can assess your own projects and actions against.

The Four Scenarios

Four distinct context scenarios were developed. Here is a summary and a few key aspects of each:

1. Steady Traffic (Doorgaand verkeer) A slow shift towards a green economy, benefiting only the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (MRA). The population grows to 3.7 million. Cars remain dominant, transitioning gradually to electric, but roads and trains stay congested. Digitalisation and innovation progress slowly, with limited impact on efficiency and accessibility.
2. Turbulent Weather (Rukwinden) Ongoing shocks and international instability, with the US leaving NATO and significant climate change. The population increases to 3.1 million. Fuel crises accelerate electrification, but investment focuses on priorities like the navy. Technological scepticism grows due to data breaches, impacting accessibility.
3. Our Own Path (Eigen weg) The Netherlands withdraws from international cooperation and leaves the EU, focusing on healthcare, circularity, and local production. The economy contracts due to trade restrictions and brain drain, and the population decreases to 2.6 million. Fewer traffic jams, but cars remain significant alongside increased regional public transport. Distrust in innovations and sustainability rises, with informal sharing preferred over commercial options.
4. Transition (Overstappen) Climate change accelerates transition and AI development. The population stabilises at 3.1 million. Non-sustainable sectors disappear, and reduced traffic results from digitalisation and virtualisation. Space is primarily used for energy infrastructure, and circular processes increase. The EU and the national government push for innovations like autonomous transport and shared mobility. Ownership is limited to the wealthiest, and digital infrastructure becomes a priority.

Outcomes and Follow-Up

Rombout and Guus guided the group through the process and results of these scenario studies. We discussed the developments and contextual factors used in the study, and considered if anything was missing. They openly shared their approach and how they plan to use these insights to assess their own policies and projects, and welcomed questions and suggestions from the group. There was also room for discussing the challenges. Because, while people can easily align on scenarios, opinions can still vary greatly on how we should act on them now.

Many of our partners are already working with future visions and scenarios. See, for instance, our report on a session with trendwatchers from the Municipality of Amsterdam. The purpose, process, and impact on policy, projects, and actions vary across organisations. However, there was agreement that sharing methods and scenarios is valued, particularly in a neutral setting like our innovation network. It fosters mutual understanding and offers valuable lessons from each other's research methods and practical applications. In the coming period, we will explore how we can contribute to this in our network on various transition themes.

Would you like to know more about this study from the Province of North Holland? Feel free to send me a message, and I will connect you. Interested in brainstorming about how we can approach this more frequently or systematically within the network? Let me know at pelle@amsterdaminchange.com.

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

How does the game work?

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

Key Takeaways and feedback from the session

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

Why participate?

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

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

A systems approach is key.

Climate transition plans that lack a systemic perspective can unintentionally shift risks, disrupt supply chains, harm human rights, or even contribute to biodiversity loss. For example, switching to a low-carbon product that requires three times more land may address your carbon goals, but jeopardize your biodiversity targets.

Without considering these interdependencies, your climate strategy may become inefficient and require reworking as new issues arise.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼👇

By addressing root causes and considering the ripple effects of climate decision-making in other areas, a systems lens ensures your plan goes beyond regulatory box-ticking.

Together, we can co-create effective action plans with your stakeholders and develop customized decision-making frameworks, accounting for material impacts on climate, nature, and people across your operations and value chain.

How? Learn how our Systemic Transition Suite can unlock your business’s full potential ⬇️

#BeyondCompliance #climatetransition #sustainabilityreporting #CSRD #ESG #circulareconomy

The Amsterdam InChange team is getting ready for one of the most exciting events of the year! From November 5 until November 7 The Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) will take place - the ultimate gathering for innovators and visionaries from across the globe. Held annually in Barcelona, this event is all about shaping the future of urban life through innovative ideas and collaboration. The Amsterdam InChange team will join the Dutch delegation, hosting inspiring keynotes, interactive workshops, and sessions as we connect with partners and explore new opportunities to build better and more sustainable cities.

In collaboration with partners from the Amsterdam InChange network, including Amsterdam Trade & Innovate (municipality of Amsterdam), the Green Innovation Hub (municipality of Almere), Gemeente Haarlemmermeer (municipality of Haarlemmermeer) Spie, BTG, and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, we are organizing various activities on and around the expo. Find an overview of the programme below and keep an eye on this post for further updates leading up to the event.

Sunday - 3 November

Welcome drinks Amsterdam Region (16:30 – 18:00) (invite only) with the Green Innovation Hub, Amsterdam Trade & Innovate and Amsterdam InChange.

Official Dutch kick-off reception (from 18:30) organised by DMI-Ecosystem (only for participants of the Dutch mission).

Informal dinner with Amsterdam InChange and partners (20:30).

Monday – 4 November

Smart City Business Day: 'The Next Step in Smart City Development' (09:00 – 17:00). International program featuring sessions, pitches, workshops, and excursions (only for participants of the Dutch mission).

Smart Ports Excursion to the Port of Barcelona and Roundtable with SPIE.

Next Level/Changemakers International Dinner (20:00 – 22:00). In collaboration with other organizing cities (including the City of Amsterdam), with both national and international attendees.

Tuesday 5 November

Smart City World Expo Congress (09:00 – 17:00).

Outgoing visit from the Dutch Pavilion “The Future of Mobility” to EIT Urban Mobility Network (11:00 – 12:00).

Outgoing visit from the Dutch Pavilion about “Digital Twins” to Forum Virium, Helsinki (13:00 – 14:00).

International Peer Review Session on “Zero-Emission Urban Logistics” at the Microsoft booth (14:00-15:30)

Official opening of the Dutch Pavilion by the Ambassador and delegation leaders, followed by a networking reception (from 16:00).

International Impact-Making Dinner organized by the DMI-Ecosystem and Amsterdam InChange (19:00 – 21:00) (invite only - participants of the Dutch mission).

Wednesday 6 November

Smart City World Expo Congress (09:00 – 17:00).

Outgoing visit from the Dutch Pavilion about “Net Zero Cities & ATELIER” at the European Commission (11:00 – 12:00).

Keynote: "The Tech Answers Making Cities Go Green" with Leonie van den Beuken, Amsterdam InChange, Congress: Green Room (11:40 – 12:25).

Thematic Roundtable: "Decarbonizing the Future one Building at a Time", with Jorrit Vervoorveldonk, Metabolic, Congress: Tomorrow.Building Room (15:45 - 16:30) (partner event)

Agora Event: Community Energy Sharing in the City for the Energy System of the Future, with Hugo Niesing, Resourcefully, Hall 2, Green Agora (partner event)

Thursday 7 November

Smart City World Expo Congress (09:00 – 17:00)

Thematic Roundtable: “Collectively Moving Cities Forward” with Francien Huizing, Amsterdam InChange, Congress: Green Room (13:55 – 14:40).

Are you also in Barcelona and do you want to join us for any activities? Please contact Sophie at sophie@amsterdaminchange.com. We’re looking forward to meet you there!

Amsterdam is set to relocate its iconic Red Light District from De Wallen to Europaboulevard, marking a significant shift in the city's approach to sex work and urban development.

This move aims to create a more structured and safe environment for sex workers while addressing concerns about over-tourism and its impact on local communities. We analyzed available data online to understand the hottest topics from affected groups.

<strong>See data insights on Playground Journal. Or listen to a short 5-minute podcast on this here.</strong>

This is your opportunity to engage in the conversation. Your insights and opinions matter in shaping a future that respects the city’s rich history while addressing the challenges and hopes of its diverse inhabitants.

The significance of this relocation lies in its potential to reshape Amsterdam's cultural and social landscape. It reflects the city's commitment to balancing the needs of residents, tourists, and sex workers, ensuring that the new Erotic Centre aligns with contemporary values while preserving the district's historical essence.

As this transformation unfolds, community input is vital. Residents, business owners, and other stakeholders are encouraged to contribute their thoughts and ideas to help shape the future of the new Red Light District. Your insights can influence the new facility's design, amenities, and safety features.

While communities can influence many aspects—such as building design, types of amenities, and community engagement processes—certain elements are fixed. The location of the new RLD has already been determined, as are existing laws and regulations governing sex work. Additionally, the core concept of the Erotic Centre and project timelines remain unchanged.

Let’s ensure that the new Red Light District reflects the values and aspirations of all who call Amsterdam home. Your voice matters!

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

What is a Boundary Spanner?

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

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

Three Dimensions of Boundaries

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

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

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

Dealing with Boundaries

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

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

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

Mechanisms to Bridge Boundaries

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

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

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

Research Conclusions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Na topoverleg van de jury maken drie initiatieven kans op de Dutch Applied AI Award. Het is voor de vijfde keer op rij dat deze prijs tijdens de Computable Awards in november wordt uitgereikt. Met de award belonen het Centre of Expertise Applied AI van de Hogeschool van Amsterdam, ICT-platform Computable en podcast De Dataloog een vernieuwend initiatief op het gebied van toegepaste Artificiële Intelligentie. 
 
We feliciteren de volgende genomineerden: 

• Sturgeon, AI-based ultra-rapid molecular diagnosis of brain cancer 

• Artifical Intelligence for Needle Anxiety Reduction (AINAR) 

• aXite Security Tools AX-BOX Gatekeeper

  
Wie er uiteindelijk met de award vandoor gaat, wordt bekend op woensdagavond 27 november 2024 tijdens de uitreiking van de Computable Awards in Utrecht. De jury - bestaande uit zes experts op het gebied van Applied AI - heeft de genomineerden geselecteerd op drie criteria: 

• Applied AI - in hoeverre is de oplossing al geïmplementeerd, wordt het gebruikt door de beoogde doelgroep en hoe groot is het aantal (potentiële) klanten/het aantal mensen dat met deze innovatie direct of indirect wordt geholpen. 

• Uniekheid - in hoeverre is de innovatie de enige in haar soort, is het nooit eerder op de markt gebracht en kan het doel van de innovatie niet op een andere manier worden behaald. 

• Responsible AI (transparantie, privacy, fairness, etc.) - in hoeverre is het ontworpen of gebruikte AI-algoritme transparant. Stelt het de gebruiker in staat om verantwoording af te leggen en duidelijk te zijn over de factoren die de algoritmische beslissingen beïnvloeden.

 
Dit jaar in de jury: 

• Nanda Piersma | Hogeschool van Amsterdam | Wetenschappelijk directeur Centre of Expertise Applied AI 

• Jurjen Helmus | Hogeschool van Amsterdam | Coördinator Smart Asset Management Lab | Eigenaar De Dataloog 

• Omar Niamut | TNO | Director of Science 

• Maaike Harbers | Hogeschool Rotterdam | Lector AI & Society 

• Jann de Waal | Topsector Creatieve Industrie | Voorzitter | Oprichter INFO 

• Sander Hulsman | Jaarbeurs Utrecht | Chief Digital Content

 
Over de Dutch Applied AI Award 

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

In Today’s Changemakers, we talk with pioneers in our network who are all, in their own way, shaping the city and region of the future. Our third guest in this series is Jan van ‘t Hek, project manager and consultant at Metabolic and member of Young on Board at Amsterdam Economic Board. Metabolic is a multidisciplinary organization and one of the leading companies worldwide in the field of the circular economy. Much of their research and work is widely shared, making them agenda-setting, a responsibility that Jan finds motivating.

Jan has been a member of Young on Board for two years because he felt the need to make an impact in the city, in addition to his work. He sought a group of people with diverse backgrounds and fields of work to broaden his perspective. “I also have an interest in political and administrative matters and how we are governed in the Netherlands and the region, and the dynamics at play. Getting a glimpse behind the scenes there is very educational.” Additionally, Jan is an ambassador for the foundation “Luister Eens”, which aims to normalize conversations about mental health issues.

From Baltimore to Glasgow to Amsterdam

Jan is currently working on various projects that he finds important due to their potential to bring about real change. However, he notes that it is often difficult to see how quickly these changes are happening and what actually comes of their advice at Metabolic. One of the projects he is currently working on is in Baltimore. Here, they are mapping out the major material flows in the city spatially and setting conditions and principles for a waste transfer facility (WTF). The goal of this project is to create local value for communities and reduce the proportion of residual waste.

“There is a very strong community feeling in Baltimore. So we are looking at how we can strengthen this community with a WTF. We map out the major flows and assess their value, and how the local communities can benefit from them. It not only helps to return the value of those raw materials but also creates jobs.” The ultimate goal is to create a plan and a vision for how this facility can be realized. Jan hopes that this project, which is now close to implementation, will actually be carried out, although many governments are still reluctant to take concrete steps.

In addition, Jan is working on a study for Glasgow, where they have mapped out the demand for wood in the built environment, including the origin and sustainability of that wood. Glasgow wants to focus more on timber construction in the coming years, especially for high-rise buildings. The results of this study are being used to establish key guidelines for material selection and design principles for wood in the early stages of a construction development.

The insights Jan and his team gain in other cities are also applied to make an impact in Amsterdam. “At Metabolic, we have a strategic partnership with the City of Amsterdam. This allows us to avoid having to conduct separate research projects each time. We provide both requested advice on current themes and unsolicited advice, sharing insights based on what we see elsewhere with Amsterdam. This gives us the opportunity to put issues on the agenda that would normally not come up, despite the political colors and lengthy processes.”

Young Changemakers

Jan emphasizes the importance of people from his generation stepping into positions where decisions can be made. “For my generation, it’s quite clear that the current system doesn’t work for us.” This becomes evident in the struggle to find housing and the constant movement from one crisis to another, with no clear outlook for improvement. As a result, a generation has grown up with uncertainty on many fronts. “I think a strength of this generation is that they no longer believe in the idea that everything is manageable. We have to work with what we have, and I think we’re very aware of the scarcity of many resources.”

At the same time, he highlights the importance of intergenerational knowledge exchange, especially in the field of the circular economy. “It’s a hypercomplex challenge. It’s about bringing about large-scale behavioral change. On an individual level, you want to ensure that people feel involved, but at the same time, it’s also crucial that governments and large organizations take the lead. This involves resource use, environmental impact, poor working conditions, and child labor. I don’t think we can hold individuals responsible for this. Some people simply aren’t in a position to choose sustainable options due to socioeconomic circumstances.”

What Moves Jan?

Jan easily recalls a specific moment that marked a turning point in his career: “I was raised with the importance of a sustainable world. Sometime in 2015, I saw the “Tegenlicht” episode about the end of ownership, with Thomas Rau. I was so inspired by that story that I fully immersed myself in the circular economy. That was a clear starting point and something I still refer to.”

Jan finds a good balance between work and private life important, despite the challenges and versatility of his roles at Metabolic and Young on Board. “I generally find it fairly easy to switch between work and private life. But I always try to get enough exercise, and I love cooking—and I have a boat. Being on the water is the easiest way to disconnect. The pace is simply much slower.”

How Does the Future Move?

We concluded the interview with the following two questions.

What is your dream scenario for the future of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area?

“I don't have a very clear dream scenario, but I hope that the (inter)national political developments will not affect our region. I hope that the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area can position itself as a progressive region with its eyes on the future and a focus on people and nature. Where value is not only expressed in financial terms but also attributed to nature, community spirit, and (mental) well-being.”

How do you see your role in this scenario?

“I stand firmly for what I believe in, both in my work and in my role at Young on Board. I have also thought about becoming politically active, maybe that will happen later. I don't know if I can bring about the change I want, but I will do my best in both my work and personal life to contribute to a sustainable future. I'll see what roles come with that.”

Dankzij de inspanningen van organisatie Afval naar Oogst en honderden vrijwilligers hebben vijftien buurttuinen dit jaar al meer dan 25.000 kilo groente- en fruitafval van de vuilnisbak kunnen redden. Dit resultaat wordt gevierd op 28 september tijdens het Afval naar Oogstfeest. Ook openen er dan elf nieuwe inleverpunten waar Amsterdammers zich kunnen aanmelden om hun gf-afval in te leveren.

Van Afval naar Oogst
Maar liefst een derde van de vuilniszak van Amsterdammers bestaat uit groente-, fruit- en tuinafval, dat nu in de verbrandingsoven belandt. Zonde! Deze keukenresten kunnen we omzetten in een waardevolle grondstof: compost.
 
Afval naar Oogst maakt het voor Amsterdammers mogelijk om hun schillen en klokhuizen in te leveren bij buurttuinen en stadsboerderijen. De organisatie begeleidt vrijwilligers bij het maken van hoogwaardige compost, die zij weer gebruiken om de tuinen te voeden. Daardoor kunnen er opnieuw groenten, kruiden, fruit en bloemen groeien. Van afval naar oogst dus!
 
Wist je dat de tuin elk jaar compost nodig heeft om de bodem en dus de planten gezond te houden?
 
Laagdrempelig en lokaal
Afval naar Oogst begon met één locatie in Amsterdam-West en is inmiddels uitgegroeid tot 22 plekken verspreid over de stad. Tijdens het Afval naar Oogstfeest kunnen bezoekers daar onder andere uitleg krijgen over composteren én zich aanmelden als groente- en fruitafval donateur.
 
Deelnemer van het GWL-terrein in West: “Ik ben zo blij dat ik in mijn buurt makkelijk een duurzame bijdrage kan leveren. Hier was ik jaren naar op zoek.”
 
Mooi programma
Tijdens het Afval naar Oogstfeest kun je ook ontdekken wat je nog meer met keukenafval kunt doen. Doe bijvoorbeeld mee aan een workshop verf maken met groenteschillen. Of verdiep je in de wonderlijke wereld van de bodem. In Amsterdam-West kun je meedoen aan een speciale Afval naar Oogst fietsroute! Meer informatie over het programma en de deelnemende locaties vind je op de website of sociale media van Afval naar Oogst. Aanmelden is niet nodig.
 
Afval naar Oogst slaat aan
Honderden stadsbewoners leveren inmiddels hun groente- en fruitafval in. Ook de gemeente Amsterdam is enthousiast. De stad wil in 2030 zeker 75% van het gft-afval hergebruiken. Afval naar Oogst helpt daarbij door bewustwording te vergroten. Initiatiefnemer Natascha Hagenbeek: “In onze tuinen kunnen Amsterdammers de kringloop zien en ervaren. Compost maken van ‘afval’ is al een prachtig proces. Er vervolgens groente en fruit uit te zien groeien, is betoverend.”

ENGLISH BELOW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uitkijkend over Sloterplas, onder een strakblauwe lucht, at ik mijn eerste Baklouce: een combinatie van de baklava en de tompouce. Een delicatesse die zowel de Turkse als de Nederlandse cultuur representeert en een heerlijke combinatie blijkt te zijn. Die Baklouce blijkt symbool te staan voor de rest van die middag: een barbecue voor en door ondernemers uit Nieuw-West, waar allerlei verschillende mensen met verschillende ondernemingen, achtergronden, dromen en ambities op afkomen. Een ding hebben ze gemeen: impact maken in Nieuw-West.

Dit jaar is Hieroo Amsterdam partner geworden van Het Nationaal Programma Samen Nieuw-West, die samen met de gemeente deze middag organiseert. Het Nationaal Programma is een samenwerking tussen 70 partijen, onder andere de gemeente Amsterdam, bewoners en maatschappelijke organisaties, die werken aan de toekomst van (een beter) Amsterdam Nieuw-West. Het Nationaal Programma houdt zich bezig met thema’s die het dagelijks leven van bewoners van Nieuw-West bepalen, zoals veiligheid, kansen voor de jeugd en werk.

Onze consultants zijn aangehaakt bij een deel van het Nationaal Programma dat gaat over Community Wealth Building (CWB): een economische strategie om de lokale economie van Nieuw-West te versterken. In deze strategie staan lokale ondernemers, bewoners en maatschappelijke initiatieven centraal. Door meer lokaal bij elkaar in te kopen, wordt er meer verdiend en meer besteedt, waardoor de economie een impuls krijgt en geld terugvloeit naar de bewoners van dat gebied. CWB heeft in verschillende landen al geleid tot een enorme bloei van de lokale economie van armere stadsdelen, zoals in Schotland. Een lokale economie sterker maken betekent: betekenisvolle lokale banen, inclusieve democratische ondernemingen, lokaal circulerend geld, gemeenschappelijk bezit en lokale inkoop door ankerinstituties, zoals scholen, ziekenhuizen, woningcorporaties.

Koop Lokaal platform Nieuw-West

Om lokaal inkopen te promoten, is het Koop Lokaal platform ontwikkeld: een platform dat het lokale aanbod in Nieuw-West gemakkelijk bij elkaar brengt. Tijdens de ondernemersbarbecue hebben wij zoveel mogelijk ondernemers proberen aan te haken op het platform. Ook zijn wij de afgelopen weken geregeld de wijken van Nieuw-West ingegaan, om daar met ondernemers in gesprek te gaan en hen kennis te laten maken met het platform en CWB in Nieuw-West.

Waarom doen we dit?

We zijn door de jaren heen erg betrokken geweest in stadsdeel Nieuw-West. Een groot deel van ons netwerk zit daar en we hebben meerdere Community Challenges, meet-ups en andere initiatieven gebaseerd op thema’s die daar spelen. We zijn betrokken bij het stadsdeel en willen, door verandering in het hier en nu, bijdragen aan een betere toekomst voor Nieuw-West.

Zoals in elke Community Challenge beginnen we met verdieping van het onderwerp door te kijken wat er in de stad speelt, waarin we kijken en luisteren zonder oordeel. We spreken met ondernemers in Nieuw-West en verdiepen ons in hun verhaal: wat zijn hun drijfveren? Hun angsten en dromen? En waar ligt hun hoop? We bekijken het systeem (in Nieuw-West) vanuit verschillende perspectieven. We dompelen onszelf steeds onder in contexten waarin we, tot dusver, onbekend zijn.

Veel ondernemers herkennen het verhaal van Nationaal Programma Samen Nieuw-West en zijn enthousiast over het Koop Lokaal platform: er bestaat een collectieve ambitie om het stadsdeel op de kaart te zetten. Tegelijkertijd hoorden wij de zorgen van ondernemers: hoe kunnen we opboksen tegen multinationals en grotere ketens? Sommige ondernemers kennen CWB en passen het zelf al toe. Zo vertelde Maaike, de oprichter van de Stadskas dat het personeel – van schoonmaker tot elektricien – in een straal van enkele kilometers van de Stadskas woont. Toen we haar vroegen hoe zij dacht over het Koop Lokaal Platform, antwoordde ze enthousiast: “Ja mooi! Vier jaar geleden begon ik hier en sindsdien heb ik altijd zoveel mogelijk ingekocht bij mensen in de buurt, dus het is fijn als grote organisaties mij ook kunnen vinden straks met het platform”.

En nu?

In onze Community Challenges springen we nooit van probleem naar oplossing, maar nemen de tijd voor verdieping, reflectie en vragen – alleen dan kom je immers tot duurzame oplossingen met draagvlak van de doelgroep. We gaan daarom de komende weken verder met verdiepen: we gaan vaker Nieuw-West in om gesprekken te voeren met ondernemers om (nog) beter te snappen wat er speelt in het stadsdeel en waar de behoeftes van de bewoners liggen voor het creëren van een duurzame, inclusieve en sterkere toekomst van het stadsdeel.

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

1. Stargazing evening

Location: Anton Pannekoek Institute, Amsterdam

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

More information: Stargazing event

2. Theatre Performance SILO 8

Location: Vis à Vis Theatre, Almere

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

More information: Theatre Performance SILO 8

3. Exhibition: Food for Thought

Location: Scheepsvaartmuseum, Amsterdam

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

More information: Exhibition: Food for Thought

4. Open-Air Cinema at NEMO

Location: NEMO Science Museum, Amsterdam

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

More information: Open-Air Cinema at NEMO

5. Mezrab Friday Night Storytelling (Summer Edition)

Location: Mezrab, Amsterdam

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

More information: Mezrab Friday Night Storytelling (Summer Edition)

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

Location: AMS Institute, Amsterdam

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

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

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