Exploring Urban Innovation: Insights and Strategies for Sustainable Cities: Urban Future in Rotterdam

Between the 5th and the 7th of June, we gathered at the Urban Future event in Rotterdam! A prominent gathering dedicated to urban sustainability, where thousands of city leaders, urban planners, architects, and activists convene to share innovations and strategies for transforming cities.

During different sessions where BABLE Experts facilitated and participated, we explored various topics centred around urban development, sustainability, and innovation. Each session brought together experts and practitioners who shared their experiences, insights, and strategies for tackling the complex challenges facing cities today. From the intricacies of urban mobility and the transformative potential of AI to the importance of human-centric planning and the synergy between green and digital initiatives, these discussions underscored the collective effort and innovative thinking required to create sustainable and livable urban environments. The diverse perspectives and actionable takeaways from these sessions highlighted the critical role of collaboration, strategic planning, and community engagement in shaping the cities of the future.

"Breaking the iron law of mobility" ??

With a lively and engaged audience of 120 practitioner experts, the room buzzed with shared experiences and innovative ideas to tackle these challenges. The session was moderated by Henrik Morgen , our Nordics Lead & Principal Advisor, alongside Martine Reinhold Kildeby , Director of Global Networks & Partnerships, from our Copenhagen BLOXHUB partner.

The iron law of mobility suggests that efforts to alter urban mobility systems will inevitably have unintended negative consequences for some individuals. During our recent session, the cities of Rotterdam and Dortmund shared their inspiring efforts to gain public acceptance for crucial urban mobility measures that are essential from both city planning and climate reduction perspectives. These measures, however, bring about significant changes to the urban landscape and profoundly impact people’s mobility behaviours.

Our case presenters, Kevin van der Linden , Strategic Mobility Advisor from Gemeente Rotterdam and Rafael John Santiago Team Leader of Urban Development & Coordinator Mobility transition from Stadt Dortmund , received invaluable and actionable feedback to bring back to their projects. Despite the differences in their cases, common themes emerged in the conclusive summary discussion. Two key takeaways stood out:

1. The success of any mobility or public realm transformation project relies heavily on thorough, patient, and well-planned citizen and stakeholder engagement.
2. There is no one-size-fits-all approach; methods must be carefully tailored to the specific context and strategic objectives of each project.

The session underscored the importance of community involvement and strategic planning in transforming urban mobility, highlighting the collective wisdom and collaborative spirit of the experts in the room.

"Generative AI: what's hot & what's coming" ??

The session on “Generative AI: What’s Hot & What’s Coming,” hosted by Alexander Schmidt , provided fascinating insights into the potential and challenges of AI in urban development.

The experts unanimously agreed that AI represents an opportunity rather than a threat to the future of our cities, though much remains to be explored. Jonathan Reichental, Ph.D. , CEO at Human Future emphasised that AI adoption in cities is inevitable, even if city leadership does not take proactive steps. Employees will bring AI into their work environments, necessitating proper training on its usage.

Jarmo Eskelinen , Executive Director at Data-Driven Innovation Initiative , leading a ￡661 million programme to establish six data innovation hubs, highlighted the rapid pace of AI development and the importance of existing networks like Open and Agile Smart Cities (OASC). Sarah-Jayne Williams , Director of Geo Partnerships at Google Maps Platform , captivated the audience with numerous examples of how data and AI can enhance urban life. Her team has developed solutions that select eco-friendly routes, forecast floods, monitor wildfires, and analyse emissions for over 40,000 cities worldwide.

Rebecca Moody, Researcher at Erasmus University Rotterdam, presented surprising research revealing that citizens trust private organisations with their data more than government entities. This is because people have the option to opt out of company data use, whereas they are often uncertain about how the government handles sensitive information.

This engaging session underscored the need for thoughtful integration of AI in urban planning and the importance of building trust with citizens regarding data usage. It was a thought-provoking discussion that left the audience with valuable insights and a clearer understanding of AI’s role in the cities of the future.

"Unleash your city’s social innovation power" ??

Talent is at the heart of attractive, competitive, and sustainable cities. While cities strive to shape innovation districts that retain talent, companies face the challenge of attracting scarce talent and adapting to the reality of remote work affecting their urban campuses. Simultaneously, educational institutions are sought-after partners in building the foundations of our cities’ innovation ecosystems and are increasingly redefining their relationships with cities.

During the session, moderated by Jorick Beijer , Co-founder & Director at Blossity , where Kathy Quillinan Nothstine , Director Future Cities at Nesta , Asceline Groot PhD Partner at hetkanWEL & De Kookschool, Gerrit Jan van 't Veen , Strategy & Ecosystem Development at WorldStartup , Jette J?rgensen , Managing Director Hubs at 宜家 Retail and, Joost Helms , our Expansion Strategy - Ecosystem Development and Co-founder & Director at Eindhoven International Project Office BV , engaged with social impact entrepreneurs, innovation agencies, industry leaders, and politicians to discuss how to create compelling innovation districts for all.

A key takeaway was that regardless of the size or scope of your innovation project—whether it’s a local social initiative in a disadvantaged neighbourhood or the construction of a greenfield megacity in Asia—people are always the crucial factor. Without people, there is no social life; without people, there is no economic activity. Therefore, cities, regions, companies, institutions, and universities must prioritise creating places that are not only efficient but, above all, places where people want to be.

From the BABLE perspective, we emphasised that there is no single blueprint for success. However, there are thousands of use cases and examples of innovative projects, as well as innovation districts and ecosystems, that offer valuable lessons and insights. These can help you develop more effective strategies and projects, with lasting impacts on cities and their citizens.

This engaging session highlighted the importance of human-centric planning in urban innovation and provided the audience with practical insights and inspiration for creating thriving, people-friendly innovation districts.

"This changes everything - how green and digital (can) go together" ??

Green and digital schools of thought often find themselves at odds, with proponents of the green movement highlighting the significant energy consumption and sometimes excessive use of technology in urban areas. While this concern is valid, digital solutions offer a transformative potential that, when applied judiciously, can far outweigh the environmental costs.

This session was moderated by our Global Partnerships & Communications Lead, Tamlyn Shimizu , where Armin Nassehi , a renowned German sociologist specialising in the societal impacts of digitalisation and green initiatives at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universit?t München , opened the session with an insightful overview. He explored this complex issue from a sociological perspective, emphasising the necessity of leveraging data and its recombination to design innovative solutions for supply chains, mobility, energy supply, and individual behaviours. Nassehi stressed the importance of moving beyond mere computer use or data analysis, advocating for the intelligent recombination of data and the utilisation of invisible patterns and structures.

Bas Boorsma , Founder and Partner of Urban Innovators Global , former CDO of Gemeente Rotterdam , and author of "A New Digital Deal," echoed many of Nassehi’s points. He provided practical examples of how Rotterdam's Municipality effectively integrated its Digital and Green Transition. AI, a prominent contemporary example, also has an environmental impact, but its potential to address pressing climate issues can significantly outweigh its costs.

"Big enough to cope, small enough to care" ??

In the Eurotowns session, medium-sized cities showcased their innovative approaches to sustainability. The session, moderated by Tamlyn Shimizu , our Global Partnerships & Communications Lead, underscored the diverse yet complementary approaches of medium-sized cities in addressing sustainability, emphasising the need for continued collaboration and innovation.

Medium-sized cities are proving to be pivotal players in the transition to a more sustainable future, showcasing that local initiatives can have far-reaching global impacts. Solingen's "Places of Change" initiative, presented by Martin Hückeler, involves private sector actors in promoting sustainability. By using uniformly designed signs, the project raises awareness and inspires sustainable behaviour through small-scale initiatives, demonstrating significant environmental impacts. Varbergs kommun 's Social Impact Assessment in V?sterport, presented by Jenny Rydén , aims to create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community. The project assesses current statuses, identifies improvements, and monitors social impacts, prioritising residents' well-being and setting a framework for informed urban planning. G?vle kommun 's Climate Agreement, presented by Annika Lundqvist , seeks climate neutrality by 2030 through collaboration with companies, the public sector, academia, and civil society. The initiative fosters business development, strengthens competitiveness, and enhances climate-driven innovation through joint efforts and shared resources.

Christian Gangl , Deputy Mayor of Sindelfingen and President of Eurotowns , emphasised the network's role in facilitating cooperation among medium-sized cities. Eurotowns shares best practices, advocates for city interests at the EU level, and drives joint projects focusing on innovation, global goals, sustainable industry, and mobility.

The key takeaways from the session highlight the critical role of private sector engagement in driving sustainability, as demonstrated by Solingen. Their community-driven initiatives show that even small-scale actions can lead to substantial environmental benefits. Varberg's emphasis on social impact assessments underscores the importance of integrating social sustainability into urban planning, setting a benchmark for holistic urban development. G?vle's Climate Agreement exemplifies the power of collaborative efforts in achieving ambitious climate goals, accelerating climate action while fostering economic growth and innovation. Finally, the Eurotowns Network, under Christian Gangl's leadership, illustrates the strength of collective action, empowering medium-sized cities to significantly impact the sustainability arena.

Click here to discover the Eurotowns Use Cases from this session!

Urban Shark Tank

This edition of the Urban Shark Tank session, designed by BABLE, provided a dynamic platform for innovative urban solutions. The competition brought together forward-thinking projects aimed at enhancing sustainability and urban liveability. The session featured a panel of urban city experts ("the Sharks") and four finalists ("the Fish") who presented their innovative projects.

Meet the Urban 'Sharks' ??

Susa Er?ranta is a Project Director at the Helsingin kaupunki – Helsingfors stad – City of Helsinki and a Professor of Practice at Aalto University. With extensive experience in climate mitigation, adaptation, and circularity, Susa’s current duties include developing effective climate mitigation actions and research-based process development. She focuses on the networked dynamics and systems analysis of complex planning and strategy-making processes.

Jo?o Dinis leads the Accelerating Urban Transition Office at Cascais Ambiente - EMAC in Portugal. Over the past decade, Jo?o has implemented climate and sustainability strategies for Cascais, ensuring a systemic, inclusive, and innovative approach. He advocates for strengthening European partnerships to enhance the reach of emerging technologies and methods promoting resilience.

Adam Pustelnik serves as the First Deputy Mayor of the City of Lodz Office , Poland. Adam's career spans roles in both the public and private sectors, with significant contributions to urban planning, architectural administration, and economic development. His expertise lies in fostering international business collaborations and facilitating urban development.

Throughout the session, the Sharks asked probing questions about each project's scalability, real CO2 impacts, and potential limitations. Their insightful queries provided valuable feedback for the presenters and highlighted the importance of practical, scalable solutions for urban sustainability.

Who are the 'Fish'? ??

MUV B Corp : MOB Tournament

Ilaria Marino , Communication Manager of MUV B Corp, presented the MOB Tournament, a project aimed at engaging young people in sustainable mobility through a gamified approach. Participants from across Italy used the MUV Game app to earn points for sustainable travel methods such as walking, biking, and using public transportation. The initiative saw over 2,500 participants covering nearly 500,000 sustainable kilometres and saving more than 15 tonnes of CO2.

Circular Library Network : CLN Infrastructure for the Sharing Economy

Anna C W De Matos , Founder/CEO of the Circular Library Network, presented the initiative focused on enhancing community access to household items and tools through libraries in Reykjavik and other cities. The CLN system, comprising hardware, software, and a social platform, facilitated item borrowing and promoted a culture of sharing. This project led to a 15% increase in library foot traffic and memberships.

Initiative for Safer Roads: Digital, Interactive School Route Planner

Arno Wolter, CEO of Initiative for Safer Roads, presented a use case aimed at improving road safety for schoolchildren in Germany through a digital school route planner. The planner utilized a traffic safety map with automated risk calculations to identify dangerous road sections. Parents and children could research safer routes to school, and the map integrated data from various sources, including user reports and breaking data.

Oysterable Co., Ltd. : Rental and Return of Reusable Cups for Food & Beverage

Taegon Bae , CEO of Oysterable, presented a solution targeting the reduction of single-use plastic waste in South Korean coffee shops through a system of reusable cups with a deposit reward mechanism. The initiative involved installing automated cup return machines and integrating a digital passport for real-time tracking of each cup's lifecycle. The project achieved an 85% return rate and significantly reduced single-use cup waste.

And the winner is...

After the presentations, the audience was invited to cast their votes for the most innovative, scalable, and impactful solution presented on stage, the winner of this edition of the Urban Shark Tank was the Circular Library Network . Their innovative approach to enhancing community access to resources and promoting sustainability through libraries stood out as the most promising and scalable solution.

The Urban Shark Tank session at Urban Future in Rotterdam exemplified the collaborative spirit needed to drive forward innovative urban solutions. The event underscored the importance of engaging diverse stakeholders and leveraging creative approaches to address complex urban challenges.

Our sessions have highlighted the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within urban development. From addressing the iron law of mobility to harnessing the potential of AI and integrating green and digital initiatives, the discussions emphasized the importance of thoughtful, context-specific strategies and robust stakeholder engagement. The insights shared by our experts and practitioners underscored the necessity of human-centric planning and collaboration across sectors to drive meaningful change. As we move forward, the collective wisdom and innovative approaches discussed in these sessions will be invaluable in shaping sustainable, resilient, and inclusive cities. Together, we can navigate the complexities of urban transformation and build a better future for all.

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