Designing the Cycling City – The Masterclass (I)

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Designed by Humankind , Designing the Cycling City – The Masterclass is a crash course in bicycle urbanism. Through a combination of presentations, lectures by well-known practitioners and researchers, cycling tours and practical sessions, this Masterclass takes the participants through a deep dive into the Dutch approach to cycling urbanism – arguably one of the most successful in the world.

This year, there will be two Masterclasses – one between August 28th – 30th; an done between September 1st – 3rd. 

Three days, three cities, three modules

Before tackling the “when’s” and “where’s”, we will look into the “why’s” and “how’s” of bicycle urbanism. The content will be organised in three main modules, each of them having a different Dutch city as a backdrop.

Day 1: The big city

The first module focuses on the historical context of Dutch urbanism and cycling infrastructure, taking Rotterdam and its particular history as the context. Kicking off with a look back at how the Netherlands built its cycling infrastructure over decades, as the day moves on the approach goes from theory – including references to land use policies and transit accessibility – to practice, ending with a tour for the participants to experience the cycling network of Rotterdam and its surroundings.

Day 2: The small city / suburb

The second day goes from macro to micro – taking a closer look at planning regulations and the complexities of creating an active mobility infrastructure through the case-study of Delft. In particular, we will analyse the routes to its University, as the institution plays a major role in the town’s planning process, determining its character and, to a high degree, the organisation of its urbanism. During the second half of the day the focus of the class will be on best practices for healthy mobility, giving an overview on the complexities of the matter and how to bridge them.

Day 3: Making a change

On the final day the focus will be on crisis and other societal shocks as drivers of change, showcasing how transition unfolds in Amsterdam and beyond. This final block aims to break stereotypes, showing how to adjust structures, policies and approaches to make them permeable to triggers and transitions, in order to become feasible and efficient drivers of change. The last session will be a summary, pointing explicitly at how to connect the different matters discussed over the previous days. As a closure, a festive borrel will follow.

Methodology and activities

For the purpose of creating a holistic learning experience, Designing the Cycling City – The Masterclass uses a combination of theoretical and practical approaches. These include:

• Short lectures to introduce key concepts and contextualise
• Keynote lectures featuring guest speakers from key organisations and academic institutions
• Guided workshops in small groups
• Site visits and guided tours
• Cycling tours, including stops for explanations

Learning outcomes

1. Understand the connection between historical context and infrastructure possibilities of bicycle planning.
2. Learn how to design and introduce infrastructure changes to specific urban and semi-urban contexts.
3. Get to know reference examples in cycling infrastructure and get inspired by international best practices of cycling urbanism.
4. Discuss and assess a multitude of new approaches to active mobility.
5. Gain insight into the Dutch approach to cycling.

Key take-aways

1. Meet  peers from other organisations of the private and public sector active in the field of cycling
2. Get the opportunity to develop long-lasting relationships with relevant stakeholders in the Dutch cycling community and beyond
3. Experience cycling in the Netherlands by discovering Rotterdam, Delft and Amsterdam
4. Learn and get inspired in an intensive yet informal and refreshing way

Who is this course for

Urbanism or design professionals, and students with any degree of knowledge in mobility infrastructure and planning. These include, but are not limited to:

• Municipal, Regional or State-level civil servants and policy-makers
• Professionals in the urban development or infrastructure fields
• Urbanists and Urban Planners
• Designers, Architects, Engineers
• Transportation officials or operators
• Second cycle students of any field with an interest in urban mobility

Participation fees

Early bird registration (until July 1st, 2023): € 1,400 (excl. VAT)

Regular registration: € 1,750 (excl. VAT)

The price includes bicycle rental, materials, and lunch for all three days. Accommodation is not included.

Partners

Humankind

Humankind is a Rotterdam-based agency specialised in accelerating urban change towards cities that are human and kind to ourselves, others and our planet. The office provides cities, organisations and change makers with human-powered data and insights to make sense of the present, creative tools to start shaping the future today, and knowledge so that anyone can be a city maker.

European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT)

The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) is an independent body of the European Union set up in 2008 to deliver innovation across Europe. The EIT brings together leading business, education and research organisations to form dynamic cross-border partnerships. These are called Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) and each is dedicated to finding solutions to a specific global challenge.   EIT Urban Mobility is one of the EIT KICs, working to encourage positive changes in the way people move around cities in order to make them more liveable places. EIT Innovation Communities develop innovative products and services, start new companies, and train a new generation of entrepreneurs. Together, EIT empowers innovators and entrepreneurs across Europe to turn their best ideas into products, services, jobs and growth.

About and contact

Organisation and content of Designing The Cycling City – The Master Class is the work of Humankind.

This project is funded by the EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

For questions or queries please contact Mario Raimondi Pruss (mario@humankind.city), Humankind Academy Director.

Learn more about the course.