Challenge(s)
How to develop new activities in the port-city interface ?
Good practice
Make City Port spaces hubs for innovation
Beyond the symbolic significance of revitalizing once-neglected zones into some of the most cutting-edge areas of the Port City, these transitional areas connecting the city and port serve as ideal sites for fostering creative districts and innovation hubs. This is particularly relevant in a world where adaptability is needed in the sustainable ports of the future. Having a district facilitated by the local universities that can organize scientific projects and networking events to promote innovation such as the Makers District in Rotterdam is a significant step for finding new sustainable solutions for port cities.
Cas d'étude
The Makers District’s root idea is that it is necessary to have transition planning for port areas that may no longer be suited for “traditional” port activities. These areas can remain dedicated to the maritime fields but opened to the people and closer to urban uses. They become hybrid spaces. Rotterdam Makers District was introduced in 2018, pushing the Municipality and the Port of Rotterdam to create a space within the port area for the innovative manufacturing economy to thrive. This district serves as a collaborative hub where large-scale industries, small-scale manufacturing initiatives, and educational institutions come together in a shared ecosystem. Within this dynamic environment, advancements are made in relation to food and water management, the energy transition, and the circular economy, benefitting both the port and the city.
Makers District is located on a former shipyard RDM. RDM and Merwe-Vierhavens, also known as M4H, are facilitating mostly educational institutes. M4H is the innovation plaza where different companies have settled in communal office spaces helping with the exchange of ideas and discussion.
RDM’s sector is dedicated to sustainable solutions in the areas of energy, mobility and construction, such as the floating home tested at Aqua Dock. There are also three education and research institutes with a capacity for 1200 students at RDM: Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Albeda College, and Zadkine College (the latter two are both dedicated to secondary-level teaching and professional training, specifically they are regarded as part of MBO and HBO within the Dutch Educational System). Start-ups, SMEs, and global players from the maritime and offshore industries are based there. The project was also an opportunity to give a new lease of life to the industrial heritage in the area, such as the vast hall of the submarine base, which hosted part of the programme of AIVP’s 15th World Conference in 2016 and is also home to the offshore manufacturer Ampelmann, as well as the workshops where Holland America Line’s iconic ship Rotterdam was built. The aforementioned three academic institutions were installed in the former machine room of the Rotterdam Dry Dock Company.
On the other bank of the Meuse at Merwe-Vierhavens (M4H), an area previously used for fruit exports, several innovative businesses have gradually taken up residence. These operate in sectors ranging from the food industry, medical technology, clean tech, and creative industries, and include PortXL, an innovation hub and startup accelerator in the maritime, logistics, and energy fields. The City and Port of Rotterdam have continued their collaboration to develop this approach and in January 2018 launched the Makers District, to consolidate these two complementary zones.
By fostering connections with the surrounding neighbourhoods, there is a chance to generate new job opportunities beyond the immediate vicinity of the port while also providing training to Rotterdam residents for future employment prospects. This inclusive approach ensures that the development of the Makers District contributes to an economy that adds value to the city and its residents at the local level.
This good practice also includes objective 8.2 (Revising the status of port and City Port heritage to properly reflect the site’s historical significance) of the AIVP’s 2030 Agenda.
Additional informations :
Map of Makers District
Hogeschool Rotterdam (Rotterdam University of Applied Science)
Rotterdam to host 15th World Conference Cities and Ports
Innovator company in M4H: PortXL
In images
