Following the unexpected resignation of Dutch State Secretary Uslu, we were delighted to host director of the Creative Industry, Youssef Louakili, for a visit to the Bospolder-Tussendijken district and the former Merwe-Vierhavens city harbor area, at the invitation of the IABR, on December 14th. Both areas had been designated by the City of Rotterdam for radical (energy) transitions with far-reaching spatial and social consequences.
During this tour, Youssef Louakili met inspiring designers and entrepreneurs and visited resident initiatives that contribute in innovative ways to the creation of a socially sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient living environment. These initiatives emphasized the importance of emancipated citizenship, local ownership by residents, and the strengthening of (sub)networks inside and outside the districts. Among the places we visited during the tour were the Huis van de Toekomst, Cityförster, the Voedseltuin, the IABR, and Happel Cornelisse Verhoeven Architects.
