Learning from the Luchtsingel prof. dr. Derk Loorbach R. van Raak, M. Verhagen, M. Lodder G.J. Peek, M. Meijer 22 april 2014, theater Zuidplein Rotterdam
Who DRIFT (Dutch Research Institute for Transitions) Research Institute Erasmus University Research and consultancy societal transitions Interdisciplinary and cross sectoral research, education and experimental governance Hogeschool Rotterdam Lectoraat Gebiedsontwikkeling & Transitiemanagement Research and education new forms of area development Integral approach sectors, life-cycle fases, sustainability and economy
Core messages We live in an era of change Socially, ecologically, economically and institutionally The city is the testing ground for transitions Government and society reinvent themselves Luchtsingel as urban transition lab For new type of area development and participation Burgerkracht requires organizational power Bottom-up and top-down need each other 30-4-2014
THE TRANSITION PERSPECTIVE
Symptoms of unsustainability
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Transition = regime change Long-term (one or two generations) fundamental change of structure, culture and practices in a societal (sub)system culture: collective set of values, norms, perspectives (shared orientation), paradigms structure: physical infrastructure, economic infrastructure, institutions, rules, regulations, collective routines practices: behavior, operation, implementation Periodic, non-linear systemic shift common in ecological and socioeconomic systems Paradigm to analyse and influence complex societal change
Transition levels Macro-level: landscape Sustainability, ICT, ageing population, economic crisis Meso-level: regime Growth orientation, planning, specilisation, topdown Micro-level: niches innovative ideas, projects, technologies, niche actors Based on Geels and Kemp, 2001
Transition phases stabilisation Sustainable Society? reconfiguration enhanced lock-in predevelopment tipping phase decline Based on Rotmans et al, 2001 Time
Transitions in (Urban) Area Development 1950-1990 Government driven focused on building production 1990-2010 Governance driven focused on development profits 2010- Participation driven focussed on dealing with temporality
Transitions in governance 1950-1980 Government creates society top-down 1980-2000 Governments facilitates markets and formal participation 2000- Governance with increased civil society initiative 30-4-2014
Rotterdam s current regime Fossile, stoney and large scale Little diversity, green and small scale Blueprints, plans and project development Planned city made by professionals Always changing, rebuilding, destroying and doing Little vision, reflection, learning and balance 30-4-2014
30-4-2014 Vision city development
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30-4-2014 Luchtsingel
Elements Pedestrian bridge Dakakker Parkpompenburg Boxingschool Hofbogendak Accelerating developments ( aanzwengelen ) Communicationplatform 30-4-2014
Luchtsingel was elected by cross-section of the citizens New burgerpanel survey indicates support from citizens of all age groups, educational levels and etnicities Source: uitslag verkiezingen Stadsinitiatief / analyse COS 30-4-2014
Why this research Research into impact of all city initiatives Learning for policy innovation, area development and next phase Luchtsingel Reorienting complex spatial development Central District
How: methods Combination of methods (triangulation): Previous studies/date Interviews Questionnaires (firms in the area, citizens) Documentanalysis Plans, policy documents Media analysis, online blogs and debates Expert- & stakeholder session
4 stories + 2 reflections Story of gradual area transformation Story of city branding and image Reflection from the perspective of area development Story of civil society initiative on major scale Story of doubt and criticism Reflection from new governance perspective Luchtsingel, March 7 2014.
30-4-2014 PERSPECTIVE AREA DEVELOPMENT
AREA DEVELOPMENT Gradual area transformation Strong bottom-up development in the area, driven by a vision on long-term value development Luchtsingel builds upon, connects and accelerates these developments Crucial question whether Luchtsingel sustains and strengthens local scale bottom-up initiative or creates springboard for next phase of a new type of area development
30-4-2014 Source: ZUS
AREA DEVELOPMENT Majority of local firms observes and expects impact. Question to firms in the area: How big do you estimate the impacts of the Luchtsingel are on the local economy and real estate prices now and in the coming years? Luchtsingel, March 7 2014.
AREA DEVELOPMENT in different ways Luchtsingel, March 7 2014.
AREA DEVELOPMENT Indicators for impact LS Tangible indicators for economic impact and future development: Co-investment Lower than originally proposed Spin-offs Already visible on modest scale Expectations turn-over growth local firms Over 80% expects positive impact on business in area, 40% on own firm. Luchtsingel, March 7 2014.
AREA DEVELOPMENT Indicators for impact LS expected effect on own firm s turn-over and/or value Luchtsingel, March 7 2014. Source: DRIFT/online survey local firms
AREA DEVELOPMENT Iconic function? Broad impact across various media Traditional and new professional media General media (paper, TV, internet) Various target groups Urban planning and project development (office space location) Tourism Creative industry Talk of the town Luchtsingel, March 7 2014.
IMPACT Awareness in city Citizen panel: do you know the city initiative of the Luchtsingel? Source: Burgerpanel gem. R dam/cos, preliminary results 30-4-2014
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PERSPECTIVE 30-4-2014
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Stadsinitiatief: citizen participation on enormous scale Adaptive Luchtsingel versus one-shot Stadsinitiatief Larger scale means more impact? Emphasis on elections Initiative in the public space Different phases and scales of participation Before and after elections City and direct area Luchtsingel, March 7 2014.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Citizen s satisfaction with LS Question to citizen panel: how satisfied are you with the Stadsinitiatief LS? Source: Burgerpanel gem. R dam/cos, preliminary results 30-4-2014
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Local firms see unique opportunities Local firms on Stadsinitiatief: The approach has resulted in a positive change, which conventional parties could not have realised The approach is a good way to develop from citizen s initiatives Source: DRIFT / online survey local firms 30-4-2014
DOUBTS AND CRITICISM Doubts and criticism Very diverse criticisms, both on Stadsinitiatief and Luchtsingel Broader debates can be considered form of impact Well-founded debates and criticisms related to governance and area development, spending public money Extreme expectations and ambitious-realistic plan Polarising all-or-nothing debate Enormuous public participation budget, but quite modest public-space budget, no iconic budget Seemingly toned-down plan because of budget control Perception of only elite support, at least not true for voters Luchtsingel, March 7 2014.
DOUBTS AND CRITICISM Dissatisfied Rotterdammers voted differently or not AGREE LS has no added value for the city DISAGREE Those who voted for LS Those who did not vote Those who voted different Source: Burgerpanel gem. R dam/cos, preliminary results 30-4-2014
30-4-2014 REFLECTIONS
AREA DEVELOPMENT Transition in Urban Area Development Move away from a process of city-making to city-being Although cities will keep growing in numbers of inhabitants, workers and visitors, most of the real estate is already built Development turns into redevelopment as (vacant) supply, such as office-buildings, does not match demand Temporary use is key in the redevelopment process of a city district; keeping it alive and altering it s image Temporary use allows start-ups and creative class to A- locations they otherwise could not afford and, as such, supporting their growth
AREA DEVELOPMENT Lessons from the Luchtsingel Investment in urban infrastructure might lead to a dispersal of scarce property development potential, yet it stimulates bottom-up urban development Involvement of professional civil-servants is essential for success Investments in city-making upfront prevent districts from dying during a lengthy redevelopment process Investments in public space can be kick-starter of a bottom-up regeneration process, rather than as finally spending some of the development s profit
NEW GOVERNANCE Participatory governance? Unorthodox approach created breakthrough Working SMART and based on consensus could not have Local government internally divided and confused Participating, gedogen, facilitating, directing, legitimizing, blocking,? Underestimated potential for learning and experimenting More a continuous struggle Area developing coalition sub-optimal Low-levels of participation and transparency in the process Luchtsingel as experiment demonstrates potential But also the need for synergetic top-down and bottom-up forces Luchtsingel, March 7 2014.
Conclusions Luchtsingel exemplifies the dilemmas and possibilities of a new style urban area development Luchtsingel connects, strengthens, opens up Impact already noticeable, expectations for the future high and ambiguous New phase requires broader vision and new style of governance 30-4-2014
Conclusions Government struggles with participation if not supporting policy Participatory governance requires redefining every role as well as playing multiple roles Stadsinitiatief should be complemented by other (smaller scale) innovative instruments Rotterdam should more consciously organize and experiment with such spaces as urban transition labs 30-4-2014
Thank you for your attention Voor meer informatie en publicaties: loorbach@drift.eur.nl www.drift.eur.nl www.ksinetwork.org www.twitter.com/drk75