It has been 25 years that the city centre of Gemeente Zaanstad has been transformed radically: The #Inverdan project. This total conversion based upon a design by Dutch architect sjoerd soeters replaced a dull area around a train station and a parking garage following modernist urban principles with a cheerful pedestrian based city centre that has been visited and photographed by millions of tourists and proud locals ever since. ‘Colleagues call it #Disney – I take it as an enormous compliment’, the designer replies to the critics.

Babel Zaans architectuurplatform published a vivid documentary of bit more of an hour that tracks down the main protagonists from this miraculous metamorphosis. From initial and fundamental scepticism towards rightful pride of what was completed eventually this film is an inspiring portrait of what urban design, administrative vision and political leadership are capable of.

The movie has been shown multiple times publicly. Continuing audience enthusiasm made us arrange a special viewing for the employees of the municipality within the Training Program #NieuwZaanstad some days ago. And yet another fully booked auditorium, followed by an inspiring discussion with urbanist Miranda Reitsma (also featured in the movie), strategist Jan Schreuder and manager of urban development Annette Nicolas Gnodde Gnodde.

The documentary ’#25jaarInverdan’ is a wonderful base to learn more about this successful urban transformation, but also a great starting point to discuss visionary minds, public-private-collaboration, entrepreneurship and the power of urban design. The maker’s website has details for additional screenings: https://lnkd.in/ewA4QZ_d

Super excited to speak and lead a workshop together with Hanneke Van Lindert and Lisan Adolf on the long term benefits for health when it comes to nature inclusive cities as part of the Congres Natuurlijk on 27th of November.

We have written an article about our research on the long term benefits for health, with a focus on #natureinclusivecities. On the congress we will talk about inquality, determining factors for health and the typical approach in Gemeente Zaanstad. To top it all off we will work on nature inclusive designs within the interactive format of the workshop. So join us and see you there!

Curious about our findings? Read the A4 summary of the article here.

How to deal with #climatechange and #biodiversityloss on monumental and protected sites? This question was central to a #natureinclusive design atelier by Provincie Utrecht that I was invited to chair earlier this month. The atelier was setting the agenda for the due renewal of the public space in an exceptionally picturesque small Dutch village. Kamerik, a true gem, and because of it’s beauty State protected village since 1966.

And indeed: urban heat islands, sagging-in soil and heavy rains are current urgencies that are also relevant in locations protected due to their historic visual quality. It was great to see the experts Jip Louwe Kooijmans, Hiltrud Pötz and Marieke de Keijzer lining up multiple suggestions and improvement porposals for sustainable development based upon #natureinclusive design.

Im am truly thankful for their contributions, and the comprehensive introduction of the case by Mariëlle Wetter. I was glad to collect so much relevant input for the team of Gemeente Woerden (of which Kamerik is a part of). Thanks also to Felix Klaar for his dedicated companionship and tracking down the input for the future design for the public space to be made by landscape architect BoschSlabbers landscape architects. The feedback of the client is encouraging: They are enthousiastic about the results, and want to hold more #natureinclusive ateliers for other sites in their municipality!

Image source: Geneanet / Utrecht Open Data

Do you recognize missing the right words to describe how to work on #futureproofcities? We talk about the need for more ‘#green‘, sure. But what kind of ‘green’ works when we design, plant and maintain our streets and buildings to make cities more liveable?

And then there is this Dutch saying that a great idea is “spreading like an oil stain” (in meaning similar to “spreading like a wildfire”). Being either fossil or fairly catastrophic both sayings are far from appropriate when you want to describe the positive impact of sustainable #designthinking.

So we have been thinking about writing a little dictionary about #natureinclusivecities. Not a thick book, but some essentials: A first step into finding the proper words in a conversation, and to better understand each other.

I am super happy that Provincie Utrecht has embraced this idea and has agreed to publish this ‘Little Natural Dictionary’ (‘Natuurlijk Woordenboekje’). Many thanks to Wendy van Poppel, Nancy Rullens en Pim Kimenai. The publication will be a co-production with them and co-author Jip Louwe Kooijmans. An expert commitee of Harry Boeschoten, Maike van Stiphout and #youngprofessionals will review and advise the proces. The publication is due in the beginning of 2026. Keep you posted!

I am thrilled that this year’s Nature Inclusive Building Congres Natuurlijk has chosen a topic that is very important to my work as a #strategist: #Health.

But not enough: I am honoured to deliver one of the workshop sessions on the 27th of November 2025 in the beautiful Hanse city of Gemeente Zwolle.

Together with my colleagues Lisan Adolf and Hanneke Van Lindert we are addressing the topic of long term benefits for health, with a focus on #natureinclusivecities. We are happy to present determining factors, new research and insights – and what we actually can do about it. All of it nicely packaged in an interactive format for this workshop. See you there?

More information on the event is online soon.

No joke! Before the summer I finished my training to become a professional jester. A role known from the past, but with a modern twist the role of a jester may just be appropriate to ensure that reality remains part of the discussion on complex matters.

Did you know that there are sixteen roles that the professional jester can excercise to facilitate and start meaningful conversations in complex environments? A set of tools that is very welcome if your are a strategist and advisor in large companies and orgnisations!

It was wonderful to learn about influencing and stimulating necessary discussion with the fellow students in this series of trainings, and I was happy to see than also one of my cases from my professional environment was used as exercise material in the course, with many insights as a benefit!

The training is available via Het Narrengilde (the image is (c) Narrengilde, too).

I am honoured that the IZES (Institute for future Energy and Resource systems), part of HTW Saar in the German Saarland state has invited me to speak about circular economy in fall 2025 on a dedicated conference. Circularity is one of import transitions which can ensure quality of life for the long term, and I am happy to present cases and reflect on the current developments in The Netherlands.

After my key note at ‘Let’s Go Circular!’ at TU Munich some years ago and a subsequent article published in German magazine I am delighted to deliver a key note and update the overview of practical solutions for this issue, one of which of course is a transition in the construction industry, that still is responsible for the largest share of wasted materials today.

Keep in touch on the details and maybe meet you in Saarbruecken in fall!

Earlier this year I was speaking at the real corp conference in Graz on making space for work in urban development.

Many thanks for the organizers for inviting me, and creating such a wonderful biotope for mutual exchange and this international learning environment.

The papers of the conference, the proceedings and the documentary pictures are now online.

Earlier this year I was invited by BOKU University Vienna and Biotope City Foundation to speak about my work as city architect and co-author of the urban development plan ‘Making Space’ for Zaanstad Municipality. The online lecture is now available as registration on YouTube.

Please note that the lecture in in German (with slight Austrian accent). The lecture itself is 34 minutes, followed by a longer discussion of 35 minutes with the online audience.

Former State Architect (College van Rijksbouwmeester & Rijksadviseurs) Floris Alkemade will speak about spatial planning with a focus on work in Zaanstad on 16th of May 2025. The venue is the former ammunition factory on HEMbrugterrein, location of the great ZAMU museum which will open fall 2025.

I am looking forward to co-lecture and discuss with Floris how our visions for the future and today can be realised in Zaanstad. Tickets will soon be available online via the organizers’ websites. See you soon on HEMbrugterrein!

This inspirational and networking afternoon is organized by De Maatschappij Departement Zaanstreek-Waterland and Babel Zaans architectuurplatform, with support of Gemeente Zaanstad. The event will be moderated by Leontine de Koning-Bruggeman.