Strength of Places:Subtle Revolutions

Rotterdam Cases

Rotterdam, a second largest city in the Netherlands, has a proud reputation for being innovative, creative and open city. In the field of civic participation, public space adaptation and public sector collaboration, there is a wide range of solutions, models, formulas and experiments.

There is a growing moment among Rotterdam-based designers, architects and planners working together with public sector to keep on developing new bold approaches. Engaged experts are aiming to reinvent the relationship between municipality, neighbourhoods and space, and in this way (“learning-by-doing”) define new roles for public sector.This panel discussion on the next steps for urban innovation and governmental transition, will explore what is the essence of Rotterdam’s “subtle revolutions” in the field of urban planning, public spaces management and civic participation.

Who is joining us on the panel ?

- Jose Besselink / Senior Urban Planner, City of Rotterdam

- Jeroen Laven / Placemaking Europe, Rotterdam

- Beitske Boonstra / Academic Researcher, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Dept. of Public Administration and Sociology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam

- Merten Nefs / Programme Leader, Vereniging Deltametropool, Rotterdam

The speakers will give their views on this topic as urban professionals working with public sector, but also as citizens and innovators. The floor will be then open for dialogue and questions from the audience.

The event is part of the 2 days OECD/OPSI global event “Government After Shock” (17th-18th Nov 2020)

Relevant links https://gov-after-shock.oecd-opsi.org/https://bit.ly/35QcJxp

BLOK 74 Urban Simulations / Urban Communications is a Rotterdam-based office researching and advising on different public participation formats for inclusive urban planning. The office is member of the OPSI - Observatory of Public Space Innovation. BLOK 74 takes part in the Dialogues segment of the “Government After Shock” by moderating and facilitating the “Strength of Places” online panel.