Kennisregio aan Zee

The Kennisregio aan Zee (‘knowledge region on sea’, comprising the municipalities of The Hague, Leiden, Delft and Zoetermeer) is exploring the future of the key urban planning and economy-related issues facing this part of the Netherlands. An open call for proposals was used to explore the region’s urban economy in the year 2070, and the role that shared prosperity for all can play. A vision statement entitled ‘Hollands Meesterschap’ (‘Dutch Mastery’) drawn up by Karres en Brands, Studio Monnik and shared prosperity economist Charan van Krevel was voted the winner of the call.

‘Hollands Meesterschap’ demonstrates a new definition of progress. In 2070, we imagine a society in which prosperity, growth and knowledge are defined and supported more broadly. Prosperity focused on well-being. Growth making the planet a better place. Practical and theoretical knowledge attracting the same salary and social status. Where mastery forms the basis for a new and circular purpose economy.

For example, knowledge districts will play a considerably different role in 2070. Today’s knowledge hubs will morph into a network of guilds in which human cognitive, creative, emotional and tactile intelligence and artificial intelligence will be used to great effect. Knowledge hubs will act as catalysts for a new type of city where activities such as working, learning and creating will be much more interrelated and various types of knowledge will be combined: a lifelong learning landscape. Instead of focusing purely on a knowledge economy centring on universities, society as a whole will be the environment where knowledgeable people will interact.

The vision statement explores the knowledge economy of the future from various perspectives, but always in an integral manner. For example, the futurologist painted a visual scenario of a new society. The economist anchored the principles of shared prosperity for all and sustainable development. The landscape architect translated the dream into spatial interventions across various scales, ranging from regions to campuses to individual buildings.

Together we dreamt of a new generation of Dutch masters who, with their highly diverse range of different types of intelligence, knowledge and skills, will lay the foundations for an inclusive and sustainable society. What will our campuses look like? How will the relationship between mankind and nature change? How will this new culture affect newly constructed neighbourhoods and rural areas?