Placemaking Week Europe 2024 - Rotterdam

THIS SESSION TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE OF THE VENUES - THE MEETING POINT IS:
Koningsdam 1, 3011 TN Rotterdam

Bridge keepers' houses are increasingly lonely and empty because bridges are centrally controlled via cameras. As a result, the social role of the bridge keeper is increasingly being lost. These sympathetic, small spaces (and sometimes also enormous bridge cellars under the road surface) are increasingly gaining new meaning in the Netherlands as exhibition space, art/culture/community space, hairdresser, hotel room and more. Since 2012, the Bridge Keepers' Houses Foundation has built up various expertise in the field of knowledge center, projects and management and aims to give empty bridge keepers' houses in the Netherlands a new and sustainable purpose.

In the Netherlands we estimate that there are approximately 1000 bridge keepers' houses. But what about the rest of Europe?

The Bridge Keepers' Houses Foundation aims to give vacant bridge keepers' houses a new purpose in the Netherlands. We want to use the power of the Placemaking Community to come up with a new destination for one of the vacant bridge keepers' houses in Rotterdam. So we do a brainstorm on a very special location ship ramp ‘Koningspoort’ We involve the municipality of Rotterdam, which owns the bridge keeper's house, with multiple civil servants from different departments.

Inclusivity is the cornerstone of thriving urban spaces. It’s about creating environments
where everyone, regardless of background, ability, or identity, feels welcome and
valued. In cities, inclusivity is crucial, it fosters community, enhances quality of life, and
ensures that all residents can participate in and benefit from the vibrancy of urban life.
Rijnhaven, and more specifically Luxor Theatre are two of the most relevant locations in
Rotterdam when it comes to urban developments and leisure, and both are striving for
the implementation of inclusivity.
 
The session will begin inside the Luxor Theatre, where a speech from the theatres
general director will be held to share insights on how places like Café Dox are essential
for fostering diversity and connection. This will be held in the iconic Rijnfoyer, to allow
for a breathtaking view of Rijnhaven, and its new developments.
 
Following this speech, a second speaker will join to share more detailed insights on the
topic of inclusivity and its importance in society, with the goal of informing and sharing
knowledge from experts.
 
The second part of the session will be an interactive activity. This experience will allow
for the visitors to engage with inclusivity firsthand, and to explore activities that
challenge the understanding of accessibility, community engagement, and urban
design. It’s an opportunity to think creatively about how we can make Rijnhaven a space
where everyone feels they belong.