CITY MAKERS SUMMIT 27 - 30 MAY 2016 CITY EXPEDITION GUIDE ROTTERDAM:
EU URBAN AGENDA
EU COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
RE:KREATORS MANIFESTO AFRIKAANDERWIJK ZOHO FINANCING
M4H
HOOGKWARTIER
CITY IN THE MAKING
BOTTOM-UP MEETS TOP-DOWN
ORGANISATION
ZOHO’s blue building
Introduction
City Makers Summit This year the Netherlands is hosting the European Summit, in Amsterdam. Due to the increased awareness around the importance of cities, the summit shall be mainly focused on Europe’s urban context. On the 30th of May, the European leaders shall discuss the European cities according to the twelve themes formulated in the European Urban Agenda, see page 16. Even-though we are very happy that the EU seems to have picked up the gauntlet where cities are concerned, we, City Makers, still feel we have something to add to the discussion. Therefore Pakhuis de Zwijger and its partners have organised a City Makers Summit. In the three days before the Summit, around 400 City Makers from all over Europe will gather in the Netherlands. During these three days we shall discuss and debate our most pressing concerns for our European Cities. Finally on the 30th, we have the opportunity to express ourselves to the whole of the European assembly in Amsterdam.
> dezwijger.nl
foto JEroen 3
E 27-30 P O R U E NEW MAY 2016
CITY S R E K MA T I M SUM organised by:
Partners of the Day: AFRI KAANDER WIJK CO-OP
City in the Making
Content
Content
9 // The Re:kreators of Rotterdam
10 // Program
12 // Re:Kreators Manifesto 6
City Expedition: Rotterdam
14 // Meet the Re:Kreators
16 // EU Urban Agenda 18 // EU Committee of the Regions 20 // The Three Topics
Content
City Expedition: Rotterdam
22 // 46 // MerwedeThe Re:Kreators Vierhavens of Rotterdam 24 // City in the Making
32 // Hoogkwartier
36 // Afrikaanderwijk
54 // ZOHO 58 // Funding, Finance and the business case of Placemaking 7
Introduction
Re:Kreators of Rotterdam With two days left to go until the Summit, the 200 City Makers shall divide themselves over ten dutch cities to go on City Expeditions. Forty of them shall come towards Rotterdam, where they shall be joined by the president of the European Commission of the Region, Markku Markkula. During the City Expeditions, every city shall have its own theme. The theme of Rotterdam shall be the Re:Kreators. The Re:Kreators are a European network of people and initiatives, like ZOHO in Rotterdam, Holzmarkt in Berlin and many others. The Re:KReators find commonalities in their alternative approach to area development. We strive to enable sustainable, social and paricipative urban area development following fair principles. Our aim is to share our knowledge with our fellow members and to join our voices to strengthen our position throughout Europe, see page 12 for our Manifest.
On the 28th the Re:Kreators will come together with aspiring members, in Rotterdam. During the day we will exchange thoughts and experience. The day shall be made up of several excursions, workshops and discussions. Initially we will split up to go on an excursion to Rotterdams very own (aspiring) Re:Kreators. Here we shall meet the initiators of the projects, who will tell us more about their experiences and of their views for the future. After the excursion, we will meet up at ZOHO, for workshops where we shall discuss the following themes: various Financing Models from complex funding schemes to generous supporters. Organisational Models, and we will discuss the dutch’s unique approach of mediating between top-down and bottomup. During these workshops we will be visited by none less than Markku Markkula, the president of the European Commission of the Regions. Markkula is especially
Introduction
interested in our approach to deprived areas. At the end of the workshops Markkula will take a moment to reflect on the relationship between the Re:Kreators and the EU. To finish the day off, we will take a final trip to the IABR. To join a Lecture by Levente Polyak on ‘Funding the Cooperative City’. On the following pages you shall find a summary of all the important projects, workshops and people of the day.
> Citiesintransition.eu
The City Expedition Rotterdam was cordinated by: Charlotte Schans, Quirine Winkler, Jeroen Laven, IJsbrand Heeringa, Dahlia Soliman With thanks to: Marte Kappert, Ebami Tom, Piet Vollaard, Marc Neelen, Erik Jutten, Annet van Otterloo, Marco Stout, Paul Elleswijk, Bart Kesselaar, Theo Stauttener & THE Re:Kreators
City in the Making
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Program
PROGRAM:
City Expedition: Rotterdam
11:00 @ ZOHO
KICK-OFF 11:30
CITY EXCURSIONS NORTH//CITY IN THE MAKING EAST//HOOGKWARTIER SOUTH//AFRIKAANDERWIJK WEST//M4H NORTH 2.0 //ZOHO 14:00 @ ZOHO
WORKSHOP/ WORLD CAFÉ 17:30 @ FENIXLOODS II, Auditorium (at own expense)
IABR - FUNDING THE COORPERATIVE CITY
20:00 DRINNER @ bazar (at own expense) 10
Re;Kreators Manifest
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Re:Kreators Manifesto
1) We, the members of re:Kreators community, are people and initiatives who want to enable sustainable, social and participative urban area development following fair principles. We believe in a way of living in the city that is inspiring, affordable and just. We create thoughtful, fun, meaningful and inclusive places that lift the spirits. We create ruptures and alternatives in people’s imagination about how a city could be, through space and collective ownership models.
2) We create value: increase of mental, physical and emotional usability of quality urban space.
We use existing resources, energy and qualities. We look for true, permanent change. We are not interested in just popups that get people’s hopes up and leave. We are open source. We share our knowledge to inspire others.
3) We see urban development in the interest of the people who live there and work in community-based, participative and inclusive ways.
Diverse groups feel at home in and feel ownership over our places - mentally, emotionally and legally.
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Re;Kreators Manifest
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Copenhagen Amsterdam Warsaw Rotterdam
Budapest London
Bucharest Belgrado
Bordeaux
Lisbon
Berlin
Our Aspirations
1: To inspire
To create a European platform to connect and multiply re:Kreators around European cities. To improve the established re:Kreator projects. To develop sustainable business models among the partners of the network, and share them, open source, to help new projects come about through shared thinking.
2: To strengthen
To make re:Kreators’ position throughout Europe stronger, among others by driving interest in the values (social, cultural, environmental, economical) of re:Kreators initiatives. To make these values more tangible and visible in order to improve understanding and working relations between initiatives and institutions.
3: To act
To influence the urban agenda of governments locally, nationally and on the EU-level and to jointly connect with possible investors (both financial and in terms of policy) at a European level. To create a permanent task force of city makers.
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Re;Kreators Manifest
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Meet the Re:Kreators re:Kreators is a membership association focusing on the exchange of practices and know-how of people behind the collaborative development of previously malfunctioning areas in European cities. The current first members of re:Kreators are Shuffle Festival (London), KÉK Contemporary Architecture Centre and Lakatlan (Budapest), the Darwin Ecosystem (Bordeaux), ZOHO and Stipo (Rotterdam), Open Jazdów (Warsaw), Stealth (Belgrade), Mörchenpark and Genossenschaft für Urbane Kreativität for Holzmarkt (Berlin), Ateliermob and Largo Residências (Lisbon), Make a Point (Bucharest) and Pakhuis de Zwijger (Amsterdam). What brought the re:Kreators together is the idea that the dynamics in European cities aren’t all that different. But the way these pioneers develop strategies adapted to the local context illuminates important assets and competences. By peer-to-peer learning on an international scale, the members strengthen their local projects and articulate a common perspective on the European Urban Agenda. The network will be expanded in the re:Kreators Association of which all re:Kreators in Europe can become a member. 14
Re;Kreators Manifest
City Expedition: Rotterdam
STEALTH
unlimited
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EU Urban Agenda
City Expedition: Rotterdam
EU Urban agneda
‘the 12 priority themes of the EU’ Urban Agenda
In October 2015 an Urban Development Group (UDG) meeting at DG level was organized in Luxembourg where the 12 priority themes of the EU Urban Agenda were discussed. These themes are based on surveys and workshops which were held with urban areas, NGOs, Member States and European Commission In addition to the proposed priority themes, a selection of crosscutting issues was proposed. These issues have been mentioned by Member States, urban areas and other stakeholders as being important to take into account in the EU Urban Agenda. The list of themes of the EU Urban Agenda is not limited to these 12. Procedures on how to add themes will be part of the Pact of Amsterdam. The EU Urban Agenda will need to be able to adapt to current trends.
> urbanagenda.nl
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EU Urban Agenda
City Expedition: Rotterdam
1 // Jobs and Skills in the Local economy
7 // Climate Adaption
attracting enteprises, local based, new working, new skills
vulnerability assesments, climate resilience, risk management
2 // Urban Poverty
8 // Energy Transition
3 // Housing
9 // Urban Mobility
4 // Inclusion of migrants and refugees
10 // Air Quality
5 // Sustainable use of land and Nature-based solutions
11 // Digital Transition
6 // Circular Economy
12 // Innovative and Responsible public procurement
urban regeneration of deprived neighborhods, socio-economic integration
affordable, good quality
integration of refugees, public services, education
greening cities, brownfields development, urban sprawl
re-use, refurbish, recycle, waste management, sharing economy, resource efficiency
energy efficiency, innovative approaches for energy supply, local production of renewables
public transport, accessibility, connectivity, regional and local
legislative, technical, prevention, filtration
data collection, open data, data management, digital services
social entrepreneurs, innovative approaches
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EU Urban Agenda
City Expedition: Rotterdam
EU Committee of the Regions The CoR is an assembly of regional and local representatives. Made up of mayors and other elected representatives which have a direct connection to the citizens. The CoR advises the EU on legislation which affect regions and cities directly. Put quite simply, the CoR is a short cut for citizens to reach the level of EU legislation through their local authorities.
3 main principles
Multilevel Governance Coordinated action by the European, national and sub-national (regional and local authorities) levels, based on partnership and aimed at drawing up and implementing EU policies.
Proximity
All levels of governance must be as close to the public and as transparent as possible in order to ensure grassroots participation in the democratic process.
Subsidiarity
Decision must be taken at the level of government that best serves the public interest. It is the sharing of competences for policy and law-making between the European, national and subnational (regional and local authorities) levels.
> cor.europa.eu 18
Markku Markkula
President of the European Committee of the Regions “participation of local and regional levels in achieving the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy� - 2010
The Three Themes
Three Topics
City Expedition: Rotterdam
During the 28th we shall discuss topic specifically relevant for the Re:Kreators of Europe. Initially we will split up to go on an excursion to Rotterdams very own (aspiring) Re:Kreators. Here we shall meet the initiators of the projects, who will tell us more about their experiences,and their views for the future. With those initiators we’ll discuss some of the challenges they face and see if can help them take the next step. After the excursion, we will meet up at ZOHO for workshops on joined themes:
Finance
How to add value in area development. The added value of bottom up initiatives. New financial mechanisms to reward organisations who add value (both owners, official and unofficial investors like city makers). Opportunities for a European revolving fund, building on existing funds?
Top-down and bottom-up
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How can formal parties and informal parties work together to improve areas. We believe that besides the top down and bottom up movement there is a new movement of city makers who combine those worlds. We look at successful initiatives, joined challenges, and the possible role of all actors, including local and European partners.
The Three Themes
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Organisation The cooperative model is a popular model. Eutropean just finished their project on Funding the cooperative city. How can we use their results in Re:Kreator projects. What other models fit the challenges the Re:Kreators phase. How can other parties help?
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City in the Making
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City Expedition: Rotterdam
LEGEND // Pieter de Raadstraat 35B // Banierstraat 62
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// Bloklandstraat 190
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City in the Making
/ Rotterdam Noord / Pieter de Raadtstraat 35-37 / Banierstraat 62 / Bloklandstraat 190 / approx. 1000 m2 / by City in de Making and its community of inhabitants and users
Since 2014, City in the Making started working with empty buildings to achieve what their owner cannot do (any longer): to let them contribute to our city with the help of a group of passionate citizens. These sites are just our test bed: we aim at establishing a strong network of buildings in Rotterdam that enable for an entirely different affordable, sustainable - way to live and work. For many people it is the most normal thing in the world that the city where they live and work can offer them a good, affordable place. Yet, this is often not the case. Housing is getting out of reach for an increasing group of citizens, while work and urban production disappears from the streets, neighbourhood and the city. Hence, a call for action!
1 // Stoking House, Pieter de Raadtstraat 35
The Stoking House (Stokerij), is the discursive space of City in the Making. Housed in a former detergent factory (1899), and later converted into a site where citizens could purchase hot water for domestic use, it is now a site for workshops and discussions and events.
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2 // Browery, Pieter de Raadtstraat 35
The Browery takes the growing number of people involved in micro brewing out of solitude. Now, a small community is forming to experiment, taste and serve beer. This year, we’ll be brewing a six-pack with six unique beers made by our neighbours.
City in the Making Association (Stichting Stad in de Maak) has been set up to take on the redevelopment of vacant properties in Rotterdam. Driven by handson communities we manage these building currently for a period of ten years. Three years on, we see our challenge beyond such “temporary vacancy management� and aim towards permanence in affordable housing and working spaces in collective ownership and management. And possibly even a step further: a long-term socially and economically sustainable life in the city, including our own Basic Income.
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The start of this initiative has been triggered by three conditions: the dramatic vacancy that has occurred at the Rotterdam housing corporations following the start of the financial crisis (2008/2009), the diminishing of the subsidised housing stock as a consequence of neo-liberal policies, and finally the desire to again give a place to urban production and economy in the street, neighbourhood and city. We find inspiration in the spirit of the historic housing cooperatives but equally draw on the recent emergence of open source maker communities and local circular (micro-) economies.
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Relevant Themes Urban Agenda:
1 // Jobs and skills in the local economy new forms of urban production, economic resilience, creating micro-economies
2 // Urban poverty
sustainable living and working conditions for many
3 // Housing
community based re-invention of affordable housing
5 // Sustainable use of land and Nature-Based solutions integral ecologic thinking, promoting urban nature
6 // Circular economy
producing and consuming locally, complementary economic zone
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3 // Carpentry Workshop, Pieter de Raadtstraat 37
This “raw” community workshop (for carpentry and “makers” activities) is housed in a second space of the former detergent factory. Now it brings real urban productivity back into the neighbourhood.
4 // Community Laundry ´Wasbuur´, Pieter de Raadtstraat 37
This “Laundrette“ is one of the experimental economic activities that has emerged within City in the Making. Starting from the (pragmatic) need for a laundry facility for the residents, it has quickly evolved to a facility open to the neighbourhood.
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Meanwhile, City in the Making has opened up a handful of previously boarded-up or vacant buildings and restored them in a very “basic” way for living and working. Currently there are four premises in Rotterdam Noord, in the vicinity of the Central Station. For a 10-year period, the property owner (housing corporation Havensteder) has transferred the managing of these buildings to City in the Making. Free of charge, but with taking on all responsibilities – also financially. For each added building, City in the Making has been searching for a group of “enterprising” participants to embark on the intended use and program, but also with whom to identify and implement the required interventions on the premises. An essential aspect of each of these buildings is the combination of living and working. The upper floors are made suitable for living and/or working, while the ground floors are made available for production and collective use. A flow of finance from rent of the upper floors is channelled to enable low-cost access to the ground floor facilities. These workshops and multi-use spaces create the link between the residents and users of the various buildings and the neighbourhood. They thus play an active and activating role in the city and (new) city communities. City in the Making sees the current, temporary use of the buildings at hand as a “training condition” for what is yet to come. In order to achieve longterm affordable housing and working in a different way than the real-estate market is luring us into, the next step for City in the Making is to go beyond the temporary exploitation of the vacant properties that have been brought to our disposal as a consequence of the crisis.
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In 2016, we have committed to putting this ambition firmly on the horizon! Principles that we are aiming at are: no speculation with living and working spaces, low-threshold affordability, living space is part of a wider “infrastructure”, partial independence from large economical systems, collective way of organising with enough freedom for individual needs. And finally, we aim at communities that not only collectively manage building(s), but equally generate their income in these buildings and among their inhabitants. City in the Making has been initiated by Ana Džokić, Erik Jutten, Marc Neelen and Piet Vollaard. Together with Daan den Houter they coordinate the activities of this growing network of buildings in Rotterdam. http://www.stadindemaak.nl/
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5 // ‘t Baniertje, Banierstraat 62
This characteristic building formerly hosted a (illegal) marihuana plantation. It is located adjacent a small square, which provides an excellent opportunity to let activities flow into the public sphere. This year, a neighbourhood canteen will open on the ground floor, while artists have their studios on the upper floors.
6 // Blokland, Bloklandstraat 190
This building functioned until recently as a “try-out” housing for homeless. Its interior is divided into several smaller rooms with shared facilities. Now it is for an indefinite (but at least three years long) time transformed into (shorter duration) accommodation, with a common workspace / shop on the ground floor.
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Hoogkwartier Hoogkwartier is the triangle bordered by Mariniersweg, Goudsesingel, Oostplein and Burgemeester van Walsumweg in the eastern section of the centre of Rotterdam. Hoogstraat is the central street that cuts through the district. The name Hoogkwartier is derived from the name of this street. It is a recent name, reflecting the desire to generate more attention for the neighbourhood. Before 2010 the area was an anonymous and isolated corner of the city centre, dotted with vacant premises and home to very few appealing shops and offices. It functioned as a way of accessing the centre, but had little identity of its own. The area does, however, have
Life brought back to the street
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the SUPERZEBRA great potential and is characterized by architecture from the post-war period, with splendid portico entrances, balconies and service courtyards. Within Rotterdam, Hoogkwartier has a very interesting demographic composition, and populated by many students and young professionals. In 2010 Marco Stout took the initiative to generate more publicity for the area. A hallmark of his approach is to build on the strength of the area’s intrinsic qualities, collaboration between residents and the business community, and lowprofile communication (simply telling stories from the neighbourhood under the title Discover Hoogkwartier!). These activities ‘recharge’ the area and lend it added meaning.
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Residents and local entrepreneurs have teamed up to improve the Hoogkwartier district, and since 2010 a number of positive changes have become visible. There is an active association of residents and business people, and a working group for communications has been set up. In recent years it has initiated various activities to improve the area, among them the creation of planters and street benches, outdoor markets, an art route and several public space art
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projects, pop-up venues in vacant shop units, and a culinary tasting session by and with entrepreneurs and residents. This has resulted in more life and social cohesion. Another positive tendency is that more creative and lifestyle entrepreneurs are locating in Hoogkwartier with creative shops and businesses, galleries, cafes and so on. The recent repurposing of the Industriegebouw Goudsesingel by a private investor is an important development in this regard. These are clear signs of the gradual transformation of the area. In contrast to these positive signs, the area still contends with a persistent problem of vacant shop units, which are owned by everybody from private individuals to large investment societies. To date it has not been possible to get the support of all owners for the initiative. The same goes for businesses in the area. The proportion of shops and restaurants to offices does not make this a vibrant area. A small core group of entrepreneurs is active, but the majority have no direct interest in a livelier neighbourhood and therefore do not get involved. The Hoogkwartier initiative is highly valued in Rotterdam. In particular, collaboration between residents and entrepreneurs is seen as a solid basis for the future. The development of Hoogkwartier is proceeding gradually, but patience is the watchword. Marco Stout > hoogkwartier.nl
Hoogkwartier anual newspaper 35
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Afrikaanderwijk The Afrikaanderwijk Cooperative’s mission is to develop Rotterdam South as a stronger and more sustainable area, socially, economically, and culturally. The Cooperative provides an organisational structure in which revenues and benefits can go directly to its members, local stores, organisations and inhabitants. Through strategic organisation the skills and resources present in the area are used collectively.
Relevant Themes Urban Agenda:
1 // Jobs and skills in the local economy new forms of urban production, economic resilience, creating micro-economies
2 // Urban poverty
sustainable living and working conditions for many
3 // Housing
community based re-invention of affordable housing
5 // Sustainable use of land and Nature-Based solutions integral ecologic thinking, promoting urban nature
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City Expedition: Rotterdam
Afrikaanderwijk is a neighbourhood in the south of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. It is traditionally working class and home to a majority of residents with an international, multi-ethnic background. In the 1990s, the city government started to redevelop the former harbour area via housing for the creative and middle class. The vigorous transition from a worker’s to a so-called ‘creative city’ has ignored the sociocultural infrastructure of the city. In order for the adjoining Afrikaander district not to become victim to the expansion of the creative city but rather thrive from it, the art and research association Freehouse was started in 1998 to explore the assets and challenges of the local area. Freehouse observed several barriers to skills development and exchange within the city. These barriers stemmed from a lack of infrastructure that would support collective rather than individual activities; other challenges included regressive governmental policies and regulations that hindered small business opportunities and skill development. A main focus of Freehouse, then, was to create space for encounter, both literally as well as metaphorically. Over the years, it stimulated local inhabitants and shopkeepers, youngsters, artists, and designers to exchange knowledge, experience and work on collaborative productions. The connection of cultural with economic capital resulted in coproductions that benefitted participants socially and economically.
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In 2014 Freehouse decided to hand over the task of collective production to a custommade organisational form: a Cooperative on the scale of a neighbourhood. An umbrella organisation that brings together workspaces with shopkeepers,
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local makers, social foundations, and the market organisation. The Afrikaanderwijk Cooperative creates opportunities through the provision of skill-based labour, training, services, and products to enhance selforganising ability while trying not to waste talent and human capital. It stimulates sustainable local production, cultural development, knowledge exchange, and entrepreneurship, combined with shared responsibility and participation. The result is a self-organised and selfrun body that continues to create local, self-produced economic opportunities, leverage political power to shift policy, and negotiate economic advantages. To draw financial flows inwards by the extraction of financial capital for social and intellectual values. It also develops local skills and self-certifications, strengthens resilient intercultural networks, and tries to create a radical form for self-governance of an area,
A neighbourhood common 39
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reinvesting profits directly into the local community. The Afrikaanderwijk Cooperative applies a self-organised approach in order to make use of all the currently untapped talents and resources that are present in the neighbourhood. Since the start in 2014 it set up several services and activities to generate work, space, and stipulate cost-effective deals for its members. The various activities can be categorised into space, services, and collaborations.
Gemaal op Zuid, Afrikaanderwijk
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In 2008, Freehouse transitioned from a research association to a practical lab focused on testing strategies in the Afrikaanderwijk. Freehouse focused its efforts around the Afrikaanderwijk market that had been in decline for several years. Many of the small-scale producers in the neighbourhood could not sell or display their products at the market due to restrictive regulations and onerous permitting rules. Freehouse organised 450 small-scale interventions that actively challenged these restrictions. Freehouse also set up 5 communal workshops where people could combine their skills and
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resources. As a result, the neighbourhood and its market are becoming a vibrant community again and the area was put on the map as a lively spot for cultural production, both nationally and internationally. Freehouse believes that inclusive urban development is achieved through community participation and self-organisation. Moreover, that economic growth is brought about through cooperative cultural production. As the neighbourhoods surrounding the Afrikaanderwijk were being redeveloped via the addition of middle class dwellings, Freehouse worked towards ensuring the existing inhabitants would share in the economic benefits of the redevelopment. Freehouse re-negotiated various urgencies in the area and created urban unions. New forms of commonality came into being through setting up chains of collective production. A process of social, economical, and cultural activities that moved on several scales and made the different informal practices of the everyday emergent, while re-rooting them into stronger networks. It was called Radicalising the Local.
Organisational Structure 41
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By creating conditions for collaborative production, it allowed individual makers to pool resources and legitimise their informal businesses through the network Freehouse created. The work on knitting stronger networks into urban unions and its cultural capabilities necessitated a new organisational (and economical) form on the scale of a neighbourhood rather than that of interest groups. Despite diminishing public funds for the Afrikaanderwijk, Freehouse has been able to intensify its activities and to grow its organisation.
Include the residents
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So far, the Cooperative’s work comprises: • An energy collective that realises •
•
•
•
substantial savings for businesses in the neighbourhood. A cleaning service SCHOON that ensures cleaning work normally outsourced to companies elsewhere is ‘insourced’ and carried out by members of the workers Cooperative. A neighbourhood common, Het Gemaal, that had been an old pumping station and was transformed into a restaurant and a public place for the neighbourhood. A place for meetings, where presentations and production come together. Home Cooks Feijenoord, a collaboration between Cooperative members, the Neighbourhood Kitchen and DOCK Feijenoord who set up a meal service for elderly, sick, and disabled people. In Home Cooks Feijenoord, professionals and volunteers prepare meals in people’s homes. In the upcoming years a local building with elderly homes will transform from a location solely for the elderly, to a place where different groups live together on a reciprocal basis. Called Samen & Anders, it will also house small-scale shopkeepers that serve both, in-house residents, neighbours, and passers-by. The Cooperative develops the details and tests partnerships for this new care concept.
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The Afrikaanderwijk Cooperative creates conditions for collaborative production that allow people to pool their resources; thereby, a new form of neighbourhood organisation evolves that has the capacity to benefit from, and reinvest in, the local economy. Becoming a member for the Cooperative involves signing an exchange agreement that encourages local supportive service infrastructure. For example, storekeepers must agree to preferentially buy their products from other local shops or to hire local contract workers. Any profit made by the Cooperative is divided among the members: 25% goes towards education (such as certification programs); 25% goes towards social and cultural programs; and 50% is divided amongst the members in the ratio they contributed. To be self-sustaining and to provide valuable opportunities to its members, the Cooperative must generate its own income and provide educational and social programs of sufficient importance to compensate for potential losses. In some way, the Afrikaanderwijk Cooperative stepped in to compensate for the failures of the regulatory political system. However, it never overtly sought to be a political adversary of the city government. Rather, the Afrikaanderwijk Cooperative makes visible the present skills of the residents and provides the organisational infrastructure to support those skills locally. It is a body designed to redistribute scarcity (in jobs, housing, and economic opportunity) through collective advocacy and organisation. The efforts of the Cooperative hinge on the emergence of trusting relationships within the neighborhood, and these networks produce sustainable mutual support structures in the form of physical spaces, services, and economic funds. Trust within
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the Cooperative is crucial; trust that the membership in the Cooperative will benefit the members in the long-term, that individual needs will be met, and their voices heard. Trust building requires long-term, repetitive collaboration within the neighbourhood. The Cooperative’s model as an umbrella organisation encompassing and coordinating the efforts and interrelationships of many smaller stakeholder cooperatives can seem overly complex. It must be complex, though, so that its infrastructure can facilitate all the possibilities that might arise in the future. Whereas businesses are typically focused on short-term profits, the Cooperative is thinking forward fifty years and rebuilding itself continuously to accommodate unknown futures.
Annet van Otterloo and Jeanne van Heeswijk > wijkcooperatie.org
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LEGEND // Keilepand // Dakpand
// Fruitvis // Uit je eigen stad // Marconia
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// Atelier Van Lieshout
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Locations
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Merwe-Vierhavens Made In 4Havens and Marconia | part of Rotterdam Innovation District Made In 4Havens and Marconia are situated Merwe-Vierhavens (M4H), that is part of the Rotterdam Innovation District, a unique ecosystem around smart manufacturing. The district is becoming a hybrid zone between the city center of Rotterdam and Europe’s largest port. And will transform into a new urban area over the coming decades. First step in the transformation is the connection between innovative entrepeneurs with new businesses to the students who are enrolled in science-based, technologyoriented educational programmes.
Made in 4Havens
Platform Made In 4havens was founded bij Panoptic Architects in 2012. Goal of the platform is to create an inclusive area development of the Vierhavens area in Rotterdam based on the local DNA. A DNA consisting of local pioneering entrepreneurs and an economy, which connects to the skills and capacities of the local inhabitants of the local neighborhoods. By creating a network of local product designers, craftsmen and artists who were already attracted to the area before the Made In 4Havens initiative started, a platform is created for collective sharing of space, machines and employee’s. Instead of creating a blueprint for the
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Locations
City Expedition: Rotterdam
area development and focusing on future investors who fill empty plots of a master plan, Made in 4Havens suggests to organically start area development with the economy already present in the area. By strengthening local businesses related to the local economy, and co-creating the urban development, Made In 4Havens believes the resulting urban design will be more sustainable both social and economic.
Concept drawing for Made in 4havens’Keilepand
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Locations
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Planning 1. Place Making.
The initiative was started in 2012 by organizing events to promote local design, with design gallery’s in empty industrial buildings and design market’s connecting local inhabitants to the idea of transition of the harbor area to a lively area with new craftsmanship.
2. Cooperative organization of
design entrepreneurs. In 2015 a
cooperative organization was founded to establish an official platform for area development with local design for manufacturing and manufacturing entrepreneurs. 3. Case study project.In 2015 the platform started a case study project in an empty industrial building in 4Havens on de Keilestraat 9, with 1000m2 of, conference space, prototyping and production labs and office space for local product designers. 4. Goal for 2025. The goal of the platform is to take part in creating clean manufacturing facilities and office spaces which can be integrated in a future working and living area development, expected to take place in the coming 10 to 15 years.
The Fair Design Hub
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Locations
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Marconia
Four creative entrepreneurs joined forces in 2013 when city government was on the look out for plans for the Marconi Free Zone, 30.000 m2 wasteland at the north end of M4H. Marconia Cooperation came up with a plan for a temporarily public experimental area, in the context of developing a new level playing field for new alliances between civil, public and private parties. The plan consists of a: 1.Living and working zone: in this zone architects can built there own pavilion, live and work together 2.Public experimental zone: here builders can experiment with constructions and materials, and learn the circular economy. 3.Green zone: in this area participants learn about off grid infrastructure and ecological soil remediation. 4.Leisure zone: here people can relax and enjoy music, go to outdoor theatre or other cultural events.
Marconia’s vacant void is waiting for experiments 50
Locations
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Marconia’s zoning-plan Marconia’s social and urban development is based on the following principles: developing a new level playing field and ‘cross-sectional connectivity’ through creating transferable and tangible experiments. Since new solutions of social and urban development only become tangible through experiment, Marconia challenges and invites businesses, universities, NGO’s and government in participating. We offer a place to experiment and show new practises for private and/or public parties, this way contributing to the execution of the plan. Meanwhile we investigate new forms of governance and supporting financial structures.
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City Expedition: Rotterdam
De Fruitvis an eye-catching blue cultural hub
De Fruitvis
Creative entrepreneur Martin van Rijn is one of the pioneers in the MerweVierhavens district. He started De Fruitvis in 2011. Right from the start Martin felt attracted to the twilight zone of the Marconistraat. The area is full of undiscovered value. Imagine: the street being a boulevard where people stroll in the sunset and this warehouse being a place where people get inspired via music, dance, theatre plays, food. Martin built De Fruitvis without grants from local government or financial institutions. The warehouse was being refurbished one step at a time. Using revenues of events for investments in materials and workmen.
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At this point in time, De Fruitvis has been a backdrop for several films, for example Rutger Hauer’s Film Factory, and musical recordings of several artists.
Locations
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Cultural events like theatre plays, dancings, weddings and even funerals take place. And De Fruitvis facilitates business meetings of housing corporations, financial institutions, local and national government. De Fruitvis has become a focal point for people who wish to be inspired and to be stimulated to discover new solutions.
Ebami Tom & Marte Kappert > madein4havens.nl > marconia.nl > stadshavensrotterdam.nl > fruitvis.nl/
De Fruitvis’expo space
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LEGEND // Het Gele Gebouw // Gare Du Nord
// Het Gebouw // Het Echte Werk // Katshoek // Hofbogen
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Locations
/ / / / /
ZOHO
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Zomerhofkwartier, Rotterdam 10.000 m2 anno 2013 by Stipo, Havensteder maker area??
ZOHO is Rotterdam’s makers’ quarter: a working and living place at the edge of the centre, for and by makers in design, art, culture, film, music, media, tech, food and urbanism. Near Rotterdam Central Station, over 10,000 m2 of inner city business area stood empty. In 2013, owner Havensteder and Stipo partnered up and decided to develop the area, and started with their 10-year long development plan. They work with a gradual process: slow urbanism.
Relevant Themes Urban Agenda: 1 // Jobs and Skills in the Local economy
attracting enteprises, local based, new working, new skills
2 // Urban Poverty
urban regeneration of deprived neighborhods, socio-economic integration
12 // Innovative and Responsible public procurement social entrepreneurs, innovative approaches
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Locations
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Since then, vacant buildings have been filled up, ground floors have been opened up to bring the street alive, and a new cultural extension of the centre has come into existense. The users of the area, companies, organizations, inhabitants, and visitors can get involved with the development plans. This way it is insured that ZOHO will become a valuable part of the city, created by all. However, not everyone can assure a spot in the building. To get a spot in Het Gele Gebouw, new companies can pitch their ideas. This way Stipo ensures a good mix of inhabitants that will produce value for the area. In their pitch, companies can show what they can add to the collaboration network, and if and how they are willing to invest in the area. > zohorotterdam.nl
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Locations
City Expedition: Rotterdam
1 // Het Gele Gebouw The Yellow Buidling sits a the heart of ZOHO. It accomodates a vast array of entrepreneurs, all working in the creative or sustainable industries. The entrepreneurs of the building work together, keeping the once old office block alive and sparkly. Š Het Gele Gebouw
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FUNDING FINANCE AND THE BUSINESS CASE OF PLACEMAKING
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Funding, Finance and the business case of Placemaking
THE 8TH OF APRIL 2016 – BUDAPEST > re:Kreators are placemakers, in the sense that they reinvent urban areas, give them new meaning and bring them back to life. Placemaking brings new energy to areas. In this process city makers build new networks, are responsible for new activities and better use of real estate and public places. The city maker optimizes the use of the city. New activities, programs and networks lead to value creation, not only in social and cultural terms but also in an economic and financial perspective.
Funding the Coorperative city, @ Budapest, by [KÉK]
Thereby placemaking has a proven added value to the area development. Better use, more activities and more participation. Less vacancy, better rents for the owners in the area and for all a higher rate of return for the area. If the added value has been established, the question is raised: • How can we build up the business case?
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And when we find the business case, • How can we finance placemaking and the work of re:Kreators?
FUNDING FINANCE AND THE BUSINESS CASE OF PLACEMAKING
City Expedition: Rotterdam
These were the two central questions in the workshop on Friday afternoon during the conference Funding the Cooperative City (Budapest / Eutropian / re:Kreators)
Funding the Coorperative city, @ Budapest, by[KÉK]
Summary and conclusions 1.The business case is not only a question of money
Place making is about better use of the city for the people who live, work and stay there. Cooperative area development has a strong social goal. To attract others with the same perspective and aim, it is important to express the goals and aims of the cooperative organisation. To be a reliable and trustworthy partner for others, among them
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FUNDING FINANCE AND THE BUSINESS CASE OF PLACEMAKING
City Expedition: Rotterdam
investors, reK:reators need to have a strong profile of the organization, their participants and their projects. Scale, diversity and portfolio contribute to the image and are the first steps to become investment ready In short: work on a professional profile.
2.Who are we ?
As just pointed out the question Who are we? needs to be answered and documented. But furthermore a distinct but also secure organization structure is necessary to be a trusted partner for an investor. The Association structure with – if possible – its own financial base needs to be written down and documented accurately.
3.The way we work
We must clarify how the added value is being created. Which activities do the different city makers take care off? By means of a few references we need to show what kind of new and better use we are bringing to the area. For example, we will have to make the work of re:Kreators more explicit in a few schemes.
4.The way we fund
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If possible we take care off the first money on our own. In areas where people are likely to contribute (financially) we set up cooporative funds and
The results of brainstorms.
FUNDING FINANCE AND THE BUSINESS CASE OF PLACEMAKING
City Expedition: Rotterdam
strive for crowd funding for specific programs. With owners of real estate and governments we try to get a good set of arrangements. Crucial is the value capture. You don’t need to be the owner to have grip on the value. Make clear and challenging deals with real estate owners, so that they profit together with the place makers from value creation. These conditions can establish a certain model of earnings. With that – the equity – new investors can be attracted to the area to invest with us. re:Kreators invest much more than money alone. With time, hard work and bringing people and companies together new combinations and economies of scale can lead to new investment. There is a lot to gain from the management of the area, not only of real estate but also in producing energy, culture and social programs. In the management of the area the city makers distinguish themselves from – among others – real estate and area development companies.
5.The way we share (the area)
Who receives this added value and new values created? What is the social return and how will we share this with others? To be attractive to other social organizations we need to point how investments others make will find the right destination. The above all contribute to becoming more attractive for external investors. All the factors are important, especially in areas with lack of strong financial potential. The financial system is important to attract investors. If possible the value creation is captured by a higher market value. But this does not mean that it needs to be cashed out. If property value rises, the strength of the asset gets better which can lead to better financial conditions. When the value is in the project / or in the area everyone can profit and the cooperative city can grow. Theo Stauttener 61
Locations
City Expedition: Rotterdam
Join us!
re:Kreators is a European platform for and by citymakers and public developers. We are a member network of people and initiatives who want to enable sustainable, social and participative urban area development following fair principles. We believe in a way of living in the city that is inspiring, affordable and just. We create thoughtful, fun, meaningful and inclusive places that lift the spirits. We see urban development in the interest of the people who live there and work in community-based, participative and inclusive ways. We aim to connect you with other re:Kreators and to learn; to strengthen your position throughout Europe; and to create a continuous dialogue between stakeholders of urban development and decision makers. We influence the urban agenda locally, nationally and on the EU-level. We match with possible investors. We are strong because of our members. Would you like to become active? Mail us at rekreators@stipo.nl. 63
Editorial
City Expedition: Rotterdam
City expedition guide Rotterdam is published by stipo Zomerhofstraat 84 3032 CM Rotterdam Phone: 010 204 1590
>Stipo.nl Editor
IJsbrand Heeringa
Senior Editor Jeroen Laven
Contributing editors
Ebami Tom, Marte Kappert, Ana DŞokić, Marc Neelen, Marco Stout, Annet Van Otterloo, Theo Stauttener
Design
IJsbrand Heeringa
Front cover
IJsbrand Heeringa
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