As a part of the Vital Cities and Citizens Erasmus Initiative, IHS experts conduct research on how Rotterdam can effectively recover from the corona crisis and increase its resilience. This project is co-developed by the City of Rotterdam and Vital Cities and Citizens (VCC).
Rotterdam has set up an Impact Crisis Team, which aims to study how Rotterdam and its citizens can recover from the COVID-19 crisis, learn and thrive. This pandemic presents many cities with major social and economic wellbeing challenges. The aim is to interpret the impact of the corona crisis on the city through research. With the interwoven knowledge and insight into facts and figures (knowledge-based and data-driven), the city of Rotterdam can be enabled to increase the resilience of the city and its inhabitants.
IHS & Vital Cities and Citizens' role in the project
The ‘Vital Cities and Citizens’ Erasmus initiative, headed by IHS staff prof.dr. Jurian Edelenbos (academic director of VCC) and Dr. Jan Fransen (theme leader within VCC) are working on this project since April. In addition, several other researchers cooperate on this project, such as Dr. Naomi van Stapele, Dr. Brian Godor, Dr. Mike Duijn and IHS alumna Daniela Ochoa Peralta. Together, they published a series of policy letters containing advice for municipalities. The role of VCC within this entire impact study Covid-19, initially focuses on gathering information that is needed to accelerate the recovery of the city of Rotterdam in order to emerge stronger from this crisis and be more resilient in the future, according to the principle “Building Back Stronger”.
More details about the study
VCC is asked to conduct an analysis of post-disaster and resilience studies and literature. The focus is on lessons learned and successful best practices that can be relevant and applicable to the city of Rotterdam in dealing with the corona crisis. The study started on April 15, 2020 and will initially take 6-8 weeks. VCC will actively participate in the further design of the project. This project is "mobile" and moves along with the knowledge questions that arise during the project implementation.
Insights applicable all over the world
The results of the study are interesting and applicable for other cities within and outside the Netherlands. There is already a collaboration between Rotterdam and The Hague, specifically between the resilience teams there.
In addition, IHS has a strong international network of contacts and alumni who can benefit from this study and could apply it effectively in their home countries. The project is strongly aimed at not only collecting and systematically analyzing international knowledge and cases, but also disseminating them via this international network
Literature review: Urban Development in times of Covid-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has mostly affected cities. Pre-existent urban challenges such as inequality, informality and overcrowding have been exacerbated due to the prevention and mitigation measures taken to cope with the virus. In response to this, extensive research has been conducted, including a daily publication of comments and ongoing research papers which have encouraged a multitude of debates regarding how resilient cities are. What possible paths will these take after COVID-19?
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