News and Updates

From Monday 17 through to Thursday 27 May, The 99 of Amsterdam presents a series of programmes on the urban economy of the future, as part of the international Cities for Change Forum. Would you like to learn more about how the energy transition might be democratically designed? What a housing policy based on the right to adequate housing would look like? How a neighbourhood economy for and by residents might be created? Or how you yourself can be part of the donut economy? Join any workshop you’re interested in online!

Donut

For a year now, Amsterdam has been receiving worldwide recognition as the first city to apply Donut Economics in practice. This model, developed by British economist Kate Raworth, advocates for a holistic perspective on economics, protecting ecological boundaries – the Donut’s outer ring – and doing justice to society’s social foundation – the Donut’s inner ring. In other words: an economy that serves society and respects our planet’s boundaries.

In the series of workshops on The Urban Economy of the Future we explore how Amsterdam might more fully ‘embrace the donut’ and how the economy might contribute to a broad social base for all Amsterdammers.

The future city economy

From Monday 17 May, we will be presenting a varied programme, with the particpation of, among others, Amsterdam aldermen Van Doorninck, Meliani, Ivens and Groot Wassink. The programme will be live-streamed and will also be available to watch later.

Monday 17 May, 16:00-17:30:   The future belongs to young people: scenario’s for the post-Covid city

What are young people’s thoughts about the future of the city? UvA, VU and BCG researchers developed three post-Covid scenarios for the Amsterdam economy. Young people will discuss these scenarios and their own perspective on the future with, among others, alderman Rutger Groot Wassink: What are the main stumbling blocks and what does the ideal city look like? More info here.

Tuesday 18 May, 16:15-17:00:  Digital courage: Online expo

In an online exposition, curator Sanne Stevens uses two different cases to explore the economic and social impacts and the social and ecological costs of digitisation and the platform economy. Sanne takes alderman Touria Meliani on an online tour to reflect on the exposition. More info here.

Wednesday 19 May, 14:45-15:45: Amsterdam: from emancipation engine to sorting machine

Screening of the film “Amsterdam as a sorting machine”, featuring portraits of newcomers recently settled in Amsterdam and Amsterdam youth, supported by infographics and other materials. Followed by a discussion between Jaap Draaisma, the producer of the film, and former alderman Maarten van Poelgeest, author of the book “Amsterdam as an engine for emancipation”. More info here.

Wednesday 19 May, 16:15-17:15: Housing as a public good

Gert Jan Bakker of the !WOON Foundation and alderman Laurens Ivens debate the causes and solutions to Amsterdam’s housing crisis. More info here.

Friday 21 May, 13:00-14:00:    Donut Economics in practice

Amsterdam is recognised worldwide as the first city to put Donut Economics into practice. Which steps is Amsterdam taking to more fully ‘embrace the Donut’? And how are the areas in the city faring where the Donut is being put into practice? A conversation with, among others, alderman Van Doorninck and Ruurd Priester about how the City of Amsterdam and civil society initiatives may reinforce one another’s efforts to build an equitable and sustainable city of the future. More info here.

Friday 21 May, 15:00-16:30: City economics for tomorrow

For decades, GDP growth has been leading in economic policy. Since the financial crisis a more broad economic approach, in which wellbeing takes centre stage, is gaining popularity. How can we put ‘how are the Amsterdammers doing?’ first in the economic policy for the city? And what does this mean for the relationship between public authorities, the market, residents and the collective? More info here.

Tuesday 25 May, 18:00-19:30:    Energy democracy

Climate change requires urgency for the energy transition, resulting in far-reaching changes. How can we shape these changes democratically? How can the city council and (organised) active residents reinforce one another? More info here.

Thursday 27 May, 14:00-15:30: 'Smooth city' and the democratisation of public space

Cities all over the world are being transformed into polished, homogenous places, swept clean of irregular structures and rough edges: ‘smooth cities’. Amsterdam is no exception to this process of ‘smoothing out’. How accessible is a smoothed-out city and can we make design proposals that offer room for the unpredictable, the unconventional, and, as such, a more democratic city? More info here.

Thursday 27 May, 20:30-22:00: Community Wealth Building in South East, New West and North Amsterdam

Exploring three practical projects in South East, New West and North Amsterdam, we analyse how local neighbourhood economies might be reinforced by building on the strengths of residents. Is this combination of economic and democratising policy a potentially successful approach for other city districts? More info here.

Cities for Change is organised by The 99 of Amsterdam. The 99 of Amsterdam is a do and think tank working towards a just, sustainable and inclusive city by linking inspirational people, ideas and initiatives from Amsterdam and other cities. The 99 of Amsterdam is an initiative of the Fearless City Amsterdam programme of the City of Amsterdam.