is the title of my newest blogpost about - yes- the lack of affordability of cities (Amsterdam included).
However, if you have no proficiency of Dutch, you must wait a couple of weeks; only the Dutch version is available now. Try it.....
Maybe you will also like these updates
Anoop Kumar Jha,
Architect Planner, MSc. (Infrastructure & Smart Cities)
,
posted
Everything Urban 001_Interactive Talk for students and young professionals
Everything Urban 001 (LinkedIn Event) is the first in the Interactive Talk series for students and young professionals interested in Urban Affairs i.e. urban planning, urban management, architecture, sustainability, smart cities, to name some. Feel Free to attend it on September 4, 2025. More details in the link.
A Lab,
Where Curious Works
at A Lab Amsterdam,
posted
Curious about... Het lichaam als laatste grens
Hoe technologie en wetenschap ons menszijn veranderen
Wat betekent het om mens te zijn in de 21e eeuw, waarin mens en technologie steeds inniger zijn verstrengeld? Kunstmatige intelligentie, genetische modificatie, neurotechnologie en medische innovaties veranderen niet alleen de wereld om ons heen, maar ook de grenzen van wie wij zijn. Ons lichaam, ons bewustzijn, onze identiteit en zelfs onze ervaring van de werkelijkheid zijn in beweging.
Op 5 november verandert A Lab in een toekomst-experience waarin lichaam en geest samensmelten met technologie en wetenschap. Tijdens de zesde editie van Curious About… onderzoeken we hoe technologie ons menszijn verandert. Hoe het onze omgeving vormgeeft, welke relaties we aangaan, welke ethische grenzen op de proef gesteld worden en hoe technologie een verlengstuk wordt van jou als mens, of zelfs onder je huid kruipt? Een programma waarbij je je ogen uitkijkt en je aan het denken wordt gezet wie wij als mens zijn en worden nu technologische ontwikkelingen voorbij razen.
Nieuwsgierig? Meer info & tickets vind je op a-lab.nl.
Wat kun je verwachten?
Tijdens de interactieve demo’s door A Lab, ga op thema-expeditie langs ervaringen, kunst, verhalen, wetenschap en toekomstvisies:
... Dompel je onder in een zintuigelijke VR-ceremonie van Nemo Vos, waarin spiritualiteit, wetenschap, lichaam en tech samensmelten tot één ervaring
... Robin Coops presenteert een virtuele wereld vol verlangens, intimiteit en consent, en onderzoekt hoe onze digitale relaties ons menszijn raken.
... Muzikant en innovator Chagall geeft het digitale een ziel en laat met muziek lichaam en tech samensmelten
... Ervaar de NextMind technologie en stuur digitale systemen aan met je gedachten
... Hoe werkt dat eigenlijk na je dood, wil je dan doorleven in AI?
... Verken de grenzen van jouw lichaam tijdens een geleide meditatie.
... Krijg een inkijkje in de nabijheid en troost die een machine aan een mens kan geven.
... Ontmoet Phil, die dankzij een geïmplanteerde chip betaalt, reist en deuren opent met zijn hand.
... Ontdek hoe liefde en technologie samengaan met de karakters uit de Human docu AI Love.
... Onderga het rubber hand experiment zelf en ervaar hoe je brein lichaam en realiteit construeert
Keynotes & panel
Na afloop van de expeditie, ontvangen we vier keynote speakers en het panel op het podium.
... Johan Hoorn (Hoogleraar Sociale Robotica & AI) ontrafelt de ontwikkelingen door een technologische bril: wat gebeurt er al en waar bewegen we naartoe?
... Ajuna Soerjadi (Directeur Data-Ethiek, Jonge denker des Vaderlands en TED spreker) schijnt haar licht op ethische vraagstukken en grenzen: hoe raakt technologie mens en maatschappij?
... Marleine van der Werf (Filmmaker & Visual Artist) bevraagt in een intieme, zintuiglijke ervaring onze kwetsbare band met het lichaam en bewustzijn, met haar multidisciplinaire ‘Disembodied' project.
... De blinde Simon Dogger (prijswinnend ontwerper, van o.a. Dutch Design Award) neemt ons met zijn persoonlijke verhaal mee in hoe technologie en zintuiglijkheid elkaar kunnen versterken.
Het programma overzicht
12:30 - Inloop
13:00 - Opening
13:00 - Interactieve demo's door A Lab
15:30 - Keynotes & Panel
17:00 - Napraat & borrel
Meer info via a-lab.nl
Tickets via Eventbrite
Pelle Menke,
Communications and Programme officer Mobility
at Amsterdam InChange,
posted
Demoday #28: From Policy to Practice: Inclusive Design Ambitions of the Amsterdam Transport Authority
On the 5th of June, during the 28th Knowledge and Demo Day, we explored the topic of Inclusive Design in the context of mobility projects together with a diverse group of network partners. Iris Ruysch introduced the theme on behalf of the Amsterdam Transport Authority (Vervoerregio), while David Koop and Lotte de Wolde from our knowledge partner Flatland facilitated the session format, moderation and visual notes.
The ambition of the Amsterdam Transport Authority
The Amsterdam Transport Authority is responsible for public transport across fourteen municipalities in the region and is working towards a mobility system that enables people to travel quickly, safely and comfortably by public transport, bicycle or car. In addition to organising and funding public transport and investing in infrastructure, the Authority actively contributes to broader societal goals such as sustainability, health and inclusivity.
Inclusive mobility is one of the key themes within the wider mobility policy. The central principle is that everyone – regardless of age, income, disability, gender or background – should be able to travel well and comfortably throughout the region. This calls for a mobility system that is accessible, affordable, appropriate, socially safe and welcoming.
The aim of the session on 5 June was to work with the network towards an initial action plan for applying inclusive design principles in mobility projects. Iris is keen to ensure that the ambitions around inclusivity are not only stated in policy and vision documents but are truly embedded in the organisation – from policymakers to implementation teams.
Session set-up
After an introduction by Iris on the context and ambitions within the Transport Authority, we got to work. In small groups, participants explored the profile of the implementing civil servant (using a persona canvas) and considered desirable changes in approach; in terms of attitude, skills and collaboration.
We then used the Inclusive Design Wheel to examine how existing programme components of the Authority could be made more inclusive. In pairs, we tackled themes such as accessible travel information, social safety at stations (specifically for women), and improving bicycle parking facilities.
The Inclusive Design Wheel is an iterative process model that supports the structural integration of inclusivity into design and policy projects. The model emphasises collaboration, repetition, and continuous learning. It consists of four phases:
- Explore: Gather insights about users, their needs, and potential exclusion.
- Create: Develop ideas, concepts, and prototypes that address inclusive needs.
- Evaluate: Test whether the designs are inclusive, collect feedback, and make improvements where necessary.
- Manage: Ensure shared understanding, set goals, engage stakeholders, and embed the process.
Outcomes and insights
While the persona profiles were being developed, I observed the group discussions and noted several important insights to take forward in the development of the action plan:
- Awareness and concrete translation: Implementation teams often already have an intrinsic motivation to contribute to inclusivity goals set in policy. However, they may not always realise how their day-to-day work can support those goals. It’s important to continuously ask the question ‘How, exactly?’. Tools like checklists, templates and practical examples can support this translation from policy to practice.
- Flexible guidelines and not ‘extra work’: Given the differences in scale, pace and content of projects, guidelines need to be flexible. There must also be sufficient room in terms of time and budget. Most importantly, these guidelines and action plans should feel supportive, not like extra rules or bureaucracy. Too many rigid frameworks can backfire.
- Interaction between policy and implementation: There is a need for more two-way communication. Implementation teams want to be involved early in policy development, especially when they will be the ones carrying it out. They also want opportunities to reflect with policymakers on whether policy is being implemented as intended. This allows for timely feedback and course-correction based on real-world experience.
- An Inclusive Design mindset: Beyond sharpened policy documents and a stronger focus on the end user, Inclusive Design also requires a mindset – one that is inquisitive and reflective. Embedding this within the organisational culture will require more than just an action plan.
What’s next
Iris collected valuable input to kick-start the development of the action plan, and participants gained a better understanding of the Amsterdam Transport Authority, the principles of Inclusive Design, and what it takes to move from policy to implementation. This summer, a trainee will start at the Transport Authority to further develop this topic and the action plan. The session, this report, and Flatland’s visual notes provide a strong foundation to build on. We’ll be meeting with Iris and David to explore how we can support this follow-up.
Would you like to learn more about any of the topics or developments mentioned in this report? Feel free to email pelle@amsterdaminchange.com.
