Erik van Marissing
I am an independent researcher, holding a PhD in Urban Geography. My work focuses on inclusion, citizen participation and social cohesion in urban neighbourhoods and is charaterized by a combination of qualitative methods, suchs as storytelling, video production and focus groups. Current projects center around inclusive mobility, community centers and urban regeneration. I am the founder of a national network on mobile meeting places, resulting from my own experience in the city of Amersfoort, where I ride around on a cargo bike and create pop-up meeting places in the streets of my neighbourhood Kattenbroek, to foster social cohesion and place attachment.
Přednáška
Following research projects on inclusive mobility in several Dutch cities, we made a series of five short videos about inclusive mobility in the small Dutch city of Amersfoort. Each episode focuses on a different perspective of inclusive mobility, such as empowering women and elderly, technical aspects and speed differences on the cycling lanes. The discussion features active citizens, civil servants, policy makers and academic researchers.
In this active workshop, we will watch some snippets from the videos and have a discussion about what we see and feel and what we can learn from it. The first part of the discussion focuses on the perceived problems, the possible solutions and the policy recommendations that we can address. But, knowing that working on inclusive mobility is not only about fixing what's broke, but requires a clear vision and often also radical choices, we will also try to address elements for future policy that combines technical, tactical and social interventions. The second part of the discussion is about the value of video as a means to encourage participation: (how) can we use video to reach out to more citizens, especially those who are not familiar with the academic concepts and local policies, and invite them to become part of the debate and make their voices heard?
References
Marissing, E. van & M. Glaser (2024), Advancing inclusion and equity in active transport in Dutch cities. Experiences from Amersfoort, Eindhoven, Utrecht en Zoetermeer. Amsterdam: Urban Cycling Insitute.