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Utrecht, a city with international ambitions Utrecht aspires to be selected as the European Capital of Culture in 2018. The competition with several other Dutch cities has already started, and there can only be one winner. And how is Utrecht distinguishing itself? No other city in the Netherlands is growing so quickly. Utrecht is developing rapidly from a charming provincial town to a medium-sized European metropolis. The city is bursting at the seams: physically, socially and economically. Good news you might say, but how do we deal with the growing pains that go along with this? How do we maintain a balance between nature and urbanisation? Between globalisation and human scale? The ultimate question is: how do we pass Utrecht on to the following generations? It is a challenge that we share with similar cities and regions in other countries. As European Capital of Culture, Utrecht can help to find creative solutions for the future.
Young, old region of knowledge and culture In 20 years, the old city of Utrecht will have more than 400,000 inhabitants, almost twice as many as in 1990. The population is already the youngest in the Netherlands, and in 2018 more than half of city dwellers will be under 30. Nowhere else is the educational level so high, or the educational facilities so concentrated. In Utrecht you can spend a lifetime learning. Almost half the population is directly involved in schooling and education: as student, teacher or supplier. The region has one of Europe’s fastest growing economies and is a popular location for businesses, particularly in the creative and innovative sectors. Utrecht is one of the most attractive residential areas in the Netherlands and wants to stay that way. A vibrant cultural climate with international appeal is part of that.
Habitat, 18, Playground Utrecht’s rapid expansion also has its reverse, which raises serious questions. For the next 20 years the city will be a huge construction site; how do we make sure it remains bearable? The surrounding villages are also expanding to meet the city: how can our densely populated province meet the demand for housing, employment, recreation, agriculture and nature? How do we bridge the gap between the youthful city and a slowly ageing region? How do we prepare young people in Utrecht for a global future? And how do we ensure that all generations and social groups can keep up with the turbulent developments without losing sight of each other? These are the questions for 2018, grouped around three themes that define Utrecht’s candidacy. Habitat / culture & environment: on the ideal city of the future; 18 / culture & generations: on the future residents of the metropolitan area; and Playground / culture & education: on the baggage we are passing on to future generations.
Offer to Europe Together, the three themes form the inspiration for our cultural offer to Europe. Utrecht will show the world how to take the plunge into a new life as a young, creative European metropolis. The candidacy for 2018 combines Utrecht’s strength and energy. The Capital of Culture is a wonderful opportunity to invest sustainably in knowledge and culture as characteristics of our region. Because that’s what Utrecht wants to be: a knowledge-rich region that stimulates innovation and imagination. The challenge is to grow together: socially, mentally and artistically; within the Utrecht metropolitan area and through productive exchanges with similar cities and regions in Europe. All of Utrecht’s inhabitants should benefit from these efforts; broad support is thus a prerequisite for success.
Co-creation All the creativity in the city and region is being mobilised to translate Utrecht’s story into an exciting bid book that will take the European jury by surprise when they make their decision in 2013. This is the same year that Utrecht celebrates the 300th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht with an international programme entitled The Art of Making Peace. It is an important stepping stone in the city’s ambition. In 2018, Utrecht wants to present itself to the world, frayed and unfinished, as an inspirational European region in flux. Ordinary and extraordinary ‘Utrechters’, artists and scientists, athletes and officials, entrepreneurs and consumers, young and old are developing the best programme ideas for the European Capital of Culture 2018. Everyone is invited to participate in building the Utrecht of the future.
European Capital of Culture In 2018, the Netherlands and Malta will be responsible for hosting the European Capital of Culture. Utrecht is in the race for the candidacy with Brabantstad, The Hague, Maastricht and Friesland. In September 2012, the participating cities will present the first version of their bid book and a year later an international jury will select the Dutch candidate. Previous Cultural Capitals have shown that selection can have long-term benefits for a city, in the form of cultural promotion, economic growth and international appeal.
Utrecht, a beautiful city in a wonderful garden Utrecht is the Netherlands’ fourth-largest city with nearly 312,000 inhabitants * capital of the province of the same name with 1,2 million inhabitants * built on Roman foundations * at the intersection of national road and rail networks * city of learning with the country’s biggest and best university * conference city * cultural city * festival city * Utrecht is the oldest province in the Netherlands * historical city centre * rich and varied landscape * dotted with charming country estates * and heritage sites which are increasingly serving as unique cultural venues *
Culture is the cement of a rapidly changing society Would you like to stay up-to-date with Utrecht’s candidacy? Or show your support? Follow us on www.utrecht2018.nl Treaty of Utrecht Foundation PO box 532 | 3500 AM Utrecht | +31 (0)30 239 38 90 | info@utrecht2018.nl www.utrecht2018.nl | www.facebook.com/utrecht2018 | www.twitter.com/utrecht2018 Utrecht2018 is a joint ambition of:
and is supported by a Council of leading Utrecht-based businesses, currently made up of ASR Nederland, Bouwfonds Ontwikkeling, CMS Derks Star Busmann, Nederlandse Spoorwegen, ProRail, Rabobank Utrecht and SHV. Photography: Anna van Kooij, Tim van Veen and Leo van Velzen.