Better Bankside’s Rotterdam knowledge exchange

Earlier this summer, Better Bankside’s Sustainability Manager, Sadie Hodgson, and Placemaking Manager, Eliza Daeschler, participated in a knowledge exchange with Advier, an organization based in Delft, Netherlands. The exchange allowed Sadie and Eliza to share Better Bankside’s ongoing projects and to experience a range of initiatives led by Advier.

One standout project from Advier is “ParkMan,” an interactive game that engages local residents in reclaiming parking spaces for community use. This initiative demonstrates innovative ways to repurpose parking spaces for the benefit of residents.

Additionally, they toured the “walking forest” in Dordrecht, which consists of 150 potted trees placed strategically throughout the city. This initiative showcases the potential for urban greening and the benefits of integrating more greenery into urban environments.

The Better Bankside representatives also attended a lecture during Rotterdam Architecture Month titled “Garden of the City.” The lecture explored themes of development, greening, and the role of landscape architecture in urban planning, providing further insights into how cities like Rotterdam are incorporating green spaces into their new developments.

This knowledge exchange has proven to be a valuable experience, offering inspiration and opportunities for collaboration between Better Bankside and other cities and districts. The insights gained from Advier’s projects and the discussions held during the exchange will undoubtedly influence future initiatives in Bankside.