Join us for a four-day Metropolitan Field Trip to Rome (28 Sept - 1 Oct) during which we will study the dynamics of this Southern European metropolis. How does the urban planning work? What is the responsibility of the municipality and the state, and to what extend may citizens and entrepreneurs interfere in shaping its form?

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| MFT Bucharest – [MFT Rome] – MFT Budapest – MFT Copenhagen MFT Athens – MFT Lisbon – MFT Brussels
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Metropolitan Field Trips (2014-2015)
This Metropolitan Field Trip to Rome is the second in a series in which a high-profile, mainly Dutch, group searches for mechanisms of urban change. We're looking for connections with our colleague planners, cultural entrepeneurs, architects, urban planners, administrators, artists, developers and designers. We will also develop sustainable relationships through setting up international 'City Embassies' in a European network of people and organisations which are active in the field of “metropolitan development”. From May 24 - 17, 2014 the first | Metropolitan Field Trip Bucarest | with more than 20 participants was organised.
Rome
‘The Eternal City’ of Rome, foremost evokes the familiar image of its rich cultural past and well-maintained UNESCO heritage sites. But to what extend is this inheritance meaningful for the future of Rome as a vibrant European capital? Its blooming past may be a source of inspiration, but does it also induce the creative entrepreneurship that is necessary for its resilience?
As a city with 2.9 million inhabitants within its municipal borders – and 4.2 million within its metropolitan region – Rome faces many challenges. The city may attract millions of tourists annually, the museums are confronted with falling numbers of visitors in comparison to international competitors. The municipal budgets have almost entirely dried up. And regardless of Rome’s astonishing plazas and palazzi, its problems are comparable to other world cities: congestion, immigration, shortage of affordable housing and employment and a consisting reliance on the use of cars and scooters.
Among this, more and more creative initiatives are emerging from the bottom up, in an attempt to formulate answers to the structural challenges faced by the city and its citizens.
Metropolitan Field Trip: goals
Join us for a four-day Field Trip during which we will study the dynamics of this Southern European metropolis. How does the urban planning work? What is the responsibility of the municipality and the state, and to what extend may citizens and entrepreneurs interfere in shaping its form? How do cultural entrepreneurs relate to their urban surroundings; do they for example take a role in the transformation of vacant real estate? To what extend is the maintenance of the cultural heritage safeguarded for future generations?
This is just a grasp of the questions that will be raised and addressed during the four-day Field Trip to Rome.
What will the Metropolitan Field Trip entail?
With a broad perspective on transition and innovation in urban development we will study Rome as a city and a metropolis. Visits to the offices of planners and architects will be complemented with encounters with professional peers, residents, entrepreneurs, wherein we will look for small-scale, often informal urban interventions.
Preliminary programme (subject to change)
Day 1 - Arrival
- 15.00 - Introduction at the hotel
- 16.00 - Walk through Garbatella neighbourhood with Claudio Bocci (director Federculture / Associazone l’Altra Via)
- 18.00 - Visit to working class neighbourhood Suburra
Day 2 – We Own the City
- 09.30 - Museo MAAM
- 11.00 - OZ Officine Zero
- 14.00 - Pastificio Cerere including presentation of project Nuova Gestione
- 16.00 - Città dell’Altra Economia / Think Green Factory
- 17.30 - Istituto Europeo del Design / Fablab Roma
Day 3 - City in Transformation
- 09.30 - Workshop on The Creative City in Urban Center Garbatella in cooperation with Cittalia, presentations of Roman projects and informal networking event.
- 14.30 - Visit and presentation by TUTUR (Temporary Use as a Tool for Urban Regeneration)
- 15.30 - Visits to regeneration sites (TBC), Brancaleone of Rialto Sant’Ambrogio, Teatro Valle Occupato, Macro Testaccio – Città Altra Economia
- 19.00 - Reception and buffet at residence Ambassador of the Netherlands (TBC). Presentation Fondazione Symbola (on the meaning of the creative industry in Italy)
Day 4 – Wrap up
- 10.00 - Presentations on politics, culture and economy. Wrap up with participants
- 14.00 - End of the Field Trip
Why should you join the Metropolitan Field Trip to Rome?
Because you are somewhat actively engaged in the transition of cities, or urban development in general. You want to broaden your horizon and witness how things are done elsewhere in Europe. You want to meet new people within your field of interest or profession, and want to establish sustainable (inter)national contacts. And first and foremost, you want to get a unique perspective on Rome, gain this in the company of an inspiring group of peers and have the practicalities fully taken care off.
Confirmed participants
- Jaap Modder (Brainville)
- Paul Gerretsen (Vereniging Deltametropool)
- Egbert Fransen (CEO - Pakhuis de Zwijger)
- Ellen Hiep (HiePRactief)
- Josje van Nes (municipality of Rotterdam)
- Karen Bebelaar (former municipality of Rotterdam)
- Lot Mertens (Area manager - municipality of Rotterdam)
- Arco Leusink
- Corinne Sieger (citizen participation - municipality of Amsterdam)
- Laurens van der Bel (De Blaay - Van den Boogaard)
- Jan-Jelle van Hasselt (partner - Wit Communications)
- Paul Basset (Paul Basset adviseert)
- Robert Kok (municipality of Amsterdam)
- Jorgen Karskens (Amsterdam Fund for the Arts)
- Yvette van der Chijs (municipality of Amsterdam)
- Thery Dirven (Woonpunt Maastricht)
- Margreet Ramaker (Cultural and economical affairs - Provincie Flevoland)
- Sophie van Ginneken (Freelance architectural historian)
- Stephany van Veen (citizen participation - municipality of Amsterdam
- Rob van Veelen (citizen participation - municipality of Amsterdam)
- Wouter Stoeken (municipality of Amsterdam)
- Michiel Schwarz (Sustainism Lab)
- Rody Luton (Independent artist)
- Charlot Schans (Project leader New Europe - Pakhuis de Zwijger)
- Prescillia van Noort (Ministery of the Interior and Kingdom Relations)
- Wiegert Dulfer (Waterschap Amstel, Gooi en Vecht)
Practical information
The costs for the Field trip are € 700,- per person.
- Including: hotel (3 nights), breakfast, lunch and diner, local transport, tours and presentations.
- Excluding: transportation to and from Rome (KLM / Alitalia offer regular flights from Amsterdam for circa € 100; booking the flights is the responsibility of the participants)
Partners
| Brainville |
The New Planning is a collaborative research project between Deltametropolis Association and TU Delft. A consortium of academic, civil society, government and market sectors is being created to meet the urgent need for a new model of strategic spatial planning that will keep the Netherlands at the forefront of territorial governance.