Back to School with... One Planet Port
architecture for transition of global trade
A series of three evening lectures that explore a sustainable and just future for the port of Rotterdam, taking place on Tuesday 13 February, 5 and 26 March 2024. Before the lectures, the audience enjoyed a simple dinner all together.
Architecture for transition of global trade
The port of Rotterdam holds a pivotal role in steering the momentum of change toward a sustainable global trade and transportation system. As crucial nodes in this transformation, ports serve as meeting points for global, regional, and local supply chains, facilitating the exchange of energy and materials. While these ports and their associated industries are deemed essential for the national and global economy, they are uniquely susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Despite the recognition of the imperative to align with climate targets and adhere to planetary boundaries, the pace of change has fallen short of what is dictated by these limits. This underscores the necessity for a cohesive and systemic approach to address ports, advocating for a just and equitable transition that confronts global inequities and builds local people power.
In three sessions we look at these topics from the perspective of history, the pressing present situation and the necessary transition to a desired future for the port of Rotterdam.
About One Planet Port
One Planet port is a new NGO in Rotterdam. We are on a quest to accelerate the ecological transition in the port of Rotterdam, underscoring its significance as a catalyst for change in global trade and transportation. What happens in Rotterdam is on the radar of all other significant ports. An apparent small change in Rotterdam can trigger widespread effects worldwide. We are rooted in the grassroots movement. We are targeting the Port of Rotterdam and the local and national government (owning and governing the Port of Rotterdam). Our mission is to transform the port of Rotterdam to operate within all planetary boundaries and to safeguard the well-being of current and future generations. We operate with our motto Making the unseen seen.
About Back to School with...
For Back to School with… the Independent School for the City invites professionals, makers and (critical) thinkers from inside and outside the field of architecture and urban design to share their most current thoughts, recent questions and latest or ongoing research. For each series we ask a professional guest to design and curate a lecture programme around one topic or question that has their urgent and great interest at this moment and to bring together different speakers to elaborate on the subject in three consecutive evening events.
Programme
In this first session we delve into the historical evolution of our port, tracing its transformation into the biggest port of Europe and the largest petrochemical complex. We’ll navigate the societal benefits it has delivered, but we will also explore the consequential impacts on the climate and the environment. We will be examining the measures taken so far to mitigate these impacts and pondering the question: Is it enough?
18:00 – 19:00 Doors open and dinner served
19:00 – 19:10 Welcome
19:10 – 19:40 Introduction by Lynn One Planet Port
19:40 – 20:10 Lecture by Harry Geerlings
20:10 - 20:15 Closing by Inge Janse
20:15 – 21:00 Conversation + Q&A
The significance of the port extends far beyond its national borders. It serves as a pivotal hub for the transshipment and production of fossil fuels, exerting profound effects on both people and ecosystems abroad. Moreover, its environmental footprint is substantial, surpassing the current estimates of port carbon emissions. In this session, we delve into the port's global impacts, broadening our perspective, and examining measures needed to establish an equitable and sustainable port system.
18:00 - 19:00 Doors open and dinner served
19:00 - 19:10 Welcome
19:10 - 19:20 Introduction by One Planet Port - Lynn Vanheule
19:20 - 19:35 Lecture by Merel Segers
19:35 - 20:05 Lecture by Joris van Sandt (PAX)
20:05 - 20:20 Lecture by Elida Castillo (Chispa LCV) - online
20:20 - 20:25 Article by Inge Janse
20:25 - 21:00 Panel discussion with speakers from session #1 & session #2
This evening delves into envisioning the port from a planetary perspective, transcending vested interests and profit-driven paradigms. We scrutinize the potentialities, pondering how shipping, trade, and industry can embody sustainability. We will explore innovative strategies to revolutionise shipping towards greener horizons. In the realm of trade, we scrutinise not only the volumes involved but also the evolving nature of transported goods, intricately intertwined with the uptake of renewable energy and the circular economy. As for industry, we investigate the transitioning towards a fossil-free Rotterdam industry, discerning which sectors must adapt, persist, or emerge anew to align with climate goals.
18:00 – 19:00 Doors open and dinner served
19:00 – 19:10 Welcome
19:10 – 19:20 Introduction by One Planet Port
19:20 – 19:45 Lecture by Lucy Gilliam (Seas at Risk) + Q&A
19:45 – 20:10 Lecture by Matthew Langdon (ECF) + Q&
20:10 – 20:35 Lecture by Michelle Prins (Natuur en Milieu)
20:35 – 20:40 Closing by Inge Janse
20:40 – 21:00 Closing remarks + Q&A