Tom works as the Living Lab Coordinator for the Future Proof Living Environment program, collaborating with scientists, civil servants, residents, and companies to experiment with and realize transitions in public spaces.
Tom also works on developing a new way of learning, working, and applying knowledge for the infrastructure sector, to build a group of adaptive professionals who can facilitate and accelerate the realization of an emission-free, circular, and climate-resilient living environment.
With a background in Earth Sciences, Tom is motivated to maintain the delicate balance of our current Earth System. Preciously working with an Agroforestry NGO in Tanzania, researching natural hazards in Nepal to nature-based solutions to heat stress and flooding in cities, and most recently, setting up a Centre for Living Labs at Utrecht University, leading the development and coordination of living labs addressing energy, circularity, climate adaptation, PFAS, and biodiversity challenges.
Tom is fascinated by the interconnectedness of societal and environmental challenges, and convinced that by working across sectors, themes, and conventions, fair, effective, and long-term solutions can be found.
With 68% of the world population projected to live in cities by 2050, ensuring that we can develop healthy, resilient, and adaptive cities serving the needs of a diverse population is essential. Amsterdam, as a City, is willing to take the risk to experiment, fail, learn, and develop a new way of working, living, building, and moving that can address these pressing challenges.
“To work together, to trust, to improvise and to act is necessary to overcome the challenges of today, and essential to those of tomorrow.”