UrbanExplore – Stedelijke (on)gastvrijheid

UrbanExplore – Urban (in)hospitality; through the eyes of Public Space Detective

Rotterdam aspires to be an inclusive and hospitable city. A city where everyone feels welcome, has the opportunity to participate in public life and where everyone can move around safely. But how does that translate into public space? And who is everyone?

Rotterdam used to be known as the Chicago of the Netherlands; stony, windy, in short not very welcoming, let alone hospitable to pedestrians and other users of public space. But a lot has changed. The city has invested in improving and making the public space attractive as a place to stay and meet. Squares and streets have been redesigned, with beautiful materials and attractive street furniture.

Yet not everyone feels equally welcome. For example, homeless people are kept out of the streetscape by hostile interventions such as ledges on benches. And is there still room for spontaneous use of the city, such as skating and other forms of urban sports?

On this walk we explore, observe and question the public space of Rotterdam. Floor van Ditzhuyzen aka the Public Space Detective takes you along hospitable and less hospitable public spaces in the city center. Is Rotterdam really that open and accessible to everyone.