Exhibition
Bold City, Brave Decisions
How the city of Groningen transformed itself into an exemplary city
In the exhibition Bold City, Brave Decisions, De Zwarte Hond shows the challenges and solutions of urban transformation. What can we learn from Groningen? Be inspired and think along about the future of Rotterdam.
The research into exemplary medium-sized European cities by De Zwarte Hond continues. After successful displays in Graz, Groningen, and Mainz, the exhibition Bold City, Brave Decisions: How the city of Groningen transformed itself into an exemplary city is coming to Rotterdam. It will be on view during Rotterdam Architecture Month in the Keilezaal of Keilepand in M4H. With this exhibition, De Zwarte Hond aims to inspire both citizens and experts to join a dialogue about the city and its future. The focus is on the public and political dimension of urban development, and on promoting exchange between residents.
Contribute to an advisory report for the city
During Rotterdam Architecture Month, the current policies and recent developments in Rotterdam are critically examined every year. With this year’s special focus on neighborhoods such as Rotterdam-South, IJsselmonde, Schiemond, and Merwe-Vierhavens. In conversations with residents and policymakers, we explore during this exhibition which brave choices are needed to make Rotterdam an exemplary city. De Zwarte Hond processes these insights into advice for the city, as part of a broader research project on medium-sized European cities. The results from various (guest) cities can be found on the website of Bold City, Brave Decisions
“People in mid-sized cities are often happy with the quality of life their cities offer. Leaders in these cities often make significant and courageous decisions that truly impact residents’ quality of life. This is something from which we can all learn.”
– Jeroen de Willigen
About the exhibition
In Northwestern Europe, many mid-sized cities are evolving into highly attractive places to live. Groningen, too, is steadily growing and faces a range of challenges: how can growing cities continue to develop sustainably? How can livable, sustainable, and inclusive cities grow with their populations? Whom can we learn from to make inspired decisions in designing and managing the cities of tomorrow? And how can we ensure a high quality of life within a socially and environmentally sustainable city?
De Zwarte Hond has played a key role in shaping the architectural and urbanistic development of Groningen, for over 35 years. With the exhibition Bold City, Brave Decisions: How the city of Groningen transformed itself into a model city, De Zwarte Hond provides insights into the transformation of the Dutch city in recent decades. After an overview of Groningen’s historical development, the exhibition highlights three crucial “brave decisions,” along with their implementation in various phases of urban development: continuity, collectivity, and compactness. Together, these brave decisions have made Groningen the compact, distinctive, and exemplary city it is today.