Upcoming Events

The Independent School for the City organizes various public events, addressing topics that respond to current relevant issues in urbanisation, and offers a platform to other organisation dealing with the city. The events are accessible to all 'urban' professionals in Rotterdam and beyond.

Back to School with... Paulien Bremmer

There is no alternative,” was the political slogan of Margaret Thatcher, which argued that liberal capitalism is the only viable system. It fits the traditional construction site like a glove. The existing system - driven by time and money, extractive, and masculine - is seen as universal and justifies the way of working.

But is this truly just? And does this way of working align with the urgent issues and transitions of our time? Shouldn't we focus on other values instead of primarily those of money? Can we move beyond a system that seems unshakable and believe in an alternative? In this series of three evenings, curated by Architect Paulien Bremmer, we will explore these questions and discuss alternatives - then, now, and in the future. Taking place on Tuesday 07 Oct, 28 Oct, and 11 Nov.

« Previous 1 2 3 4

Jun 27

School's Out! #52 with Kenny Cupers

A lecture by Kenny Cupers, Professor of Architectural History and Urban Studies at the University of Basel, where he co-founded and leads the Urban Studies division since 2015. This lecute will be about his historical and collaborative research in Kenya, exploring the planetary politics of design, the coloniality of infrastructure, and African worldmaking.

The lecture is followed by a short film and drinks at the bar. Friday 27 June 2025, 19:00 - 22:00. Doors open at 18:00. Get your tickets here

Sep 26

School's Out! with Samia Henni

A lecture by historian and writer Samia Henni about built and destroyed environments, dealing with questions of colonisation, nuclear weapons, and deserts. Henni will present her latest research on the French nuclear weapons testing programme (1960–1966) in the Algerian Sahara, bringing together nearly six hundred pages of materials documenting this violent history of France’s nuclear bomb programme in the Algerian desert. Meticulously culled together from across available, offered, contraband, and leaked sources, Henni will present a rich repository for all those concerned with histories of nuclear weapons and engaged at the intersections of spatial, social and environmental justice, as well as anticolonial archival practices. The lecture is followed by a short film and drinks at the bar.

New date! Friday 26 September 2025, 19:00 - 21:00. The lecture is followed by a short film and drinks at the bar.