Eurodelta Knowledge Platform

With the success of the first two editions to establish a Eurodelta Knowledge Platform within the SURE Network behind us, we are now in the process of planning the Next Generation Podium for Eurodelta 2023, a hybrid online and in person symposium to create a dialogue between experts, practice and academia, from different generations. A pilot program was organised in 2021 to include the young minds in the vision development of the Eurodelta development. In 2022 a follow up edition was organised Next Generation Podium for Eurodelta 2022, which improved upon the first edition with greater participation numbers and featured in person activities, which were not possible for the first edition given the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic at the time.

This is an INVITATION CALL for all universities, master’s students and young professionals who are interested in contributing to the development of the Eurodelta mega-region. With a strong and successful exchange in the past 2 years, we are in the process of planning the third edition of the Next Generation Podium for Eurodelta for spring and summer 2023. We would like to invite you to continue to contribute to the development of the Eurodelta mega region. Contact Alankrita Sarkar , for more details.

Continuing with the goal to establish a knowledge sharing platform within the  SURE Network , the third edition of the ‘Next Generation Podium’ is being planned for across 2 weeks in 2023, with the in person lectures taking place between the 20 ^th and 22 ^nd of March and the online workshop taking place on the 11 ^th and 12 ^th of May.

In May 2021, the  pilot program of Next Generation Podium addressed around 18 universities with complete support from the member cities and regions of the SURE Network. The experts from practice and academia together with the students and young professionals contributed towards the first ideas of a sustainable vision for the Strategic Urban Region of Eurodelta (SURE). The positive outcome from the first edition inspired us to conduct a second edition and in Spring 2022 we hosted the Next Generation Podium 2022, improving on the first by including more students, more universities and more professionals while also incorporating in person elements for the first time .This year we hope to build on that momentum and once again offer and improved experienced with the third annual edition of the Next Generation Podium.

Introduction

The program aims to promote the involvement of the next generation of planners and designers (students and young professionals), while broadening the network of associated universities and research institutions. This will pave the way for bringing in fresh perspectives and ideas that can inspire the actions to address the challenges that the mega-region is facing. With the symposium working closely with the master curriculum and integrating the ideas developed during the program further in their respective studios, we hope to extend this idea and process to many other such programs and incorporate them in a much more impactful way.

Context

With the encouraging and enthusiastic discussion during the 6 ^th SURE Webinar on Informal Planning Procedures and The New Planning Dialogue #8 – Mega-regions, a central idea was built-up along the development of a knowledge platform for the territory of Eurodelta, within the SURE Network. We initiated the development of a proposal for a half year program including the young minds and out-of-the-box thinking in the Eurodelta development discussion – “Next Generation Podium for SURE-Eurodelta (online symposium week)”. This year, once again, a small working group within the SURE Network is created which includes City of Amsterdam, City of The Hague, Province South Holland, Vereniging Deltametropool and Braun Urban.

Why this knowledge platform?

This program urges to include the young generation towards the thinking and development of the spatial-economic vision for SURE-Eurodelta. We foresee this idea and discussion forming a bigger program in future by adding partners and commitments from the universities and research institutes, beginning with the following program as a pilot. With the pilot establishing the base to connect the master studios with practice, and broaden the network of universities, we are now in the process of planning the second edition. This can create an added value of the SURE Network – activating the research/innovation network to stimulate the “cross-border discussion”.

The SURE Network also intends to coordinate actions in which enthusiastic people to come together to develop innovative solutions for complex spatial problems and learn to tackle the common urban challenges of today (SURE-Eurodelta Roadmap, 2021, p.7).

Role of the network

The first step of this program is initiated by a small working group within the SURE Network. Whilst, we foresee to include the whole network in the planning of this program in coming months. As a first step we are approaching the SURE Network to review this proposal and add their comments. We expect some concrete contributions from them during the program timeline. This will create a sense of ownership towards for the SURE Network and provide a platform to include the local stakeholders and universities in the program.

Scientific board

The  scientific board of SURE network  is network of researchers and academicians in development, from the various universities in the territory of Eurodelta. Through the scientific board, the aim is to encourage knowledge sharing, support initiatives from research and academia thus bridging the gap between research and practice. Through the support of the universities in Eurodelta region, the scientific board will help cross border collaboration through supporting and sharing scientific knowledge and collaborating on projects by involving students, researcher and practitioners.

Approach, program and planning

The third edition Next Generation Podium 2023 is being planned as a hybrid working conference.

— Outcome: Lunch Forums (Hybrid) on March 20th, 21st and 22nd 2023

Lectures (online) | 12:00 – 13:30

Open Office Day (in person) | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

— Workshop (Online) on May 11th and 12th 2023

Day 1 | 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Day 2 | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Aim: Include Next Generation (students, young professionals, recent graduates) in the discussion of the future of Eurodelta .

Get in touch with us if you wish to be a part of it.

Lunch Forums

The lunch forums will be taking place in March and will be composed of first an online lecture series from professionals offering insights into practice across the Eurodelta and then an Open Office which will take place in person with a total 5 Open Office taking place across 3 Eurodelta countries.

The Lectures Series will focus on three critical themes within the Eurodelta, these being…

Circular Delta – Accelerating the circular transition. Understanding how transnational exchange can inform circular choices on different scale for integrated sustainable development.

In collaboration with Municipality of Amsterdam.

Accessible Delta – Connecting through corridors. Understanding how we can implement innovative tools and recommendations for cross-border mobility and infrastructure by learning from research.

In collaboration with Regionalverband Ruhr.

Fluid Delta – Cooling and flowing delta. Understanding how social and geographical identities can be represented and retained locally by cross-border collaboration.

In collaboration with Perspective.Brussels.

Open Offices

The open offices will take place the same day as the lecture series and will give participants the opportunity to see and experience the working environments of several firms within the Eurodelta, offering participants an opportunity to both learn and network. There are 5 Open Offices taking place across 3 days, unfortunately participants will only be able to attend a maximum of 3 open offices. The schedule and options for the open offices are as follows…

March 20th- Gemeente Amsterdam or Gemeente Den Haag

March 21st – Regionalverband Ruhr

March 22nd – Perspective Brussels

Workshops

The workshops will take place across two days in May and will involve students being split into groups and creating presentations which will be published in a booklet following the conclusion of the symposium. The diversity in both nationality and discipline of the participants encourages collaboration and enhanced understanding of the working world, bringing forward new ideas on critical themes within the Eurodelta. The groups will create their presentation based on one of the themes explored during the lunch forums held in March. Participants are given the opportunity to express their preference regarding themes during the registration process.

Join us!

We are now in the process of broadening the network in and around the Eurodelta to build the scientific board and bridge the gap between practice and research. We do this with the support of universities and organisations.

We wish to carry forward this dialogue with many more universities and knowledge institutions. Feel free to reach out to us if you are interested in being a part of this network and knowledge sharing community with the young planners and designers of tomorrow!