Introducing our research partners: Municipality of Amersfoort

Amersfoort wants to be a “smart city”. A city that strives to make life cleaner, safer and more comfortable by using new technology that supports both the municipality and the residents. In our research, the municipality of Amersfoort contributes with their expertise in smart cities, and provides interesting cases to learn from smart city technology in the public space. Below you may find the municipality’s viewpoint on smart cities and this project. 

AMERSFOORT: OLD AND SMART CITY

Amersfoort: OLD …

‘Long John’ (‘Lange Jan’ or officially: ‘Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren’) was built around the year 1500, is nearly 100 meters high and is known as the geographical center of the Netherlands. The tower represents the medieval city all Amersfoort’s citizens are proud of. But beautiful old buildings are not Amersfoort’s only characteristic: Amersfoort is an energetic city with more than 155,000 inhabitants – and still growing – that is attractive both to live in because of its high level of facilities and green environment, and to companies because of its accessibility and well-educated population. Citizens are interested in the way the city is administered and have an open mind towards new ideas.

…. and SMART

From 2013 a couple of falcons uses ‘Long John’ every year as a place to give birth to their children.

The nest is closely observed by a piece of modern technology: a public webcam.

 Amersfoort is aiming at ‘healthy urban living’ by using smart city technology in:

  • utilizing natural sources of energy;
  • climate adaptation (water management);
  • mobility & air quality;
  • noise level during events; and
  • safety.

Small pilots are organized to learn from smart city technology in public space. In these pilots, the city board and civil servants, citizens, companies and knowledge institutions work together. An important aspect of using technology is the collection of data. Amersfoort closely follows the public debate on ethical aspects and participates in VNG’s initiative Principles on the Digital Society.

Amersfoort welcomes the UT project ‘Designing for Controversies in Responsible Smart Cities’, because it helps us to take advantage of opportunities offered by smart city technology, and set conditions if necessary.