The Hopscotch Path at Carnissepoort
The Hopscotch Path at Carnissepoort was completed shortly before summer. Thanks to the collaboration between Sportbedrijf Rotterdam, Unity in Diversity, and final track student Karin Herweijer, a playful, engaging space has been created that connects the neighborhood Hart van Zuid with Carnisse. This year, we will explore the possibility of finding a creative way to enhance the perception of safety in the evening.
Relocation of the lab
The Lab’s relocation is now a reality. We now work every Wednesday at Texelsestraat, Huis van de Wijk Carnisse (Carnisse Community Center), where Bahia Mhimdan from WMO Radar warmly welcomed us. We have a few workstations in an upstairs office, and we offer workshops and expert sessions in a large space on the ground floor. We also enjoy a hot lunch prepared there every Wednesday by De Kookmoeders, a local community kitchen initiative.
Graduation students
Shortly before summer, ten graduates received their degrees based on their graduation projects at the Lab. Some of the designs include: a green square in Bloemhof; the green lawns between the apartment buildings in Hoge Horsten; a coherent overview of green initiatives and green policies we can build on; an alternative layout for the park near the Maastunnel Zuidzijde and a regenerative walking route in Hollandse Duinen National Park.
Ten new graduation students started in September. They are building on the work of their predecessors but are also initiating new projects. Students are studying Law, Social Legal Services, Tourism Management, Creative Business, and Construction Management and Real Estate. At the Studio Day on November 20th, they presented their concepts to various stakeholders, such as Placemaking in Rijnhaven, participation in green projects, and the meaning of turning 18. They are now completing their projects. A new group of graduation students will take over in February.
Walking Pensant
In November, the annual dinner of the Inholland Advisory Board took place, called Walking Pensant. One of the themes was Healthy Placemaking: How can we work together to build a neighborhood where everyone can grow, discover, and contribute to positive health? Lecturer Ko Koens used the game Twister to guide participants through the requirements for collaboration on this theme. Researcher Adrienne Deelder and community manager Maaike de Jong presented the plans for the lab’s future: interdisciplinary, participatory, and design-based. On LinkedIn, you can find a wonderful report of the evening that led to new insights and collaborations. The love for Rotterdam was palpable, as was the power of seeking collaboration across multiple disciplines. (copyright: Bryan Stal)
We’ll be taking this year’s lessons into 2026, where we’ll be organizing a Deep Dive for the European Network of Living Labs in March with our sister lab in Amsterdam. Plenty to look forward to! We wish you a wonderful start to the new year and look forward to working with you again!
