This year’s Opening is centered around the theme “Reinventing the City: Connecting the Dots, Closing the Loops” which will also be carried forward into the AMS Scientific Conference 2026.
During the Opening, experts and urban innovators will share their ideas and experiences on creating urban impact in complex, multi-actor innovation ecosystems. It’s a valuable moment for our learning community to reflect on the latest insights from research and practice and a fresh boost of inspiration to kick off the academic year, working together on real-world solutions for metropolitan challenges worldwide.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, September 4th, 2025
Time: 15:30-17:30, Walk in from 15:15
Location: CRCL PARK, Marineterrein
Preliminary Program
15:30-15:45 Welcome by Scientific Director Eveline van Leeuwen, introducing this year's theme, "Reinventing the City: Connecting the Dots, Closing the Loops".
15:45-16:15 Keynote: Fábio Duarte: "Connecting the Unusual Dots". Fábio Duarte is Associate Director, Research & Design and Principal Research Scientist at the MIT Senseable City Lab, and Principal Investigator at AMS Institute.
16:15-16:45 Panel discussion on science-based solutions to make cities resilient, regenerative and just. With Kim Poldner (Resilient), Tina Comes (Regenerative), Jan Jorrit Hasselaar (Just), and MSc MADE students.
16:45-17:30 Drinks and Networking
About the panellists
Kim Poldner is Scientific Director at the Centre for Economic Transformation at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, and Endowed Professor in Circular Regional and Economic Development at the University of Groningen.
Tina Comes is Full Professor Decision Theory & ICT for Resilience at TU Delft, and Scientific Director at 4TU.
Jan Jorrit Hasselaar is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Director Amsterdam Centre for Religion & Sustainable Development at the VU Amsterdam.
Registration
This live event is aimed at students, tutors, researchers, staff, and partners of the institute and is open to all other urban innovators. Interested in joining? Please register here.