2025 marked the eleventh year of AMS Institute’s mission to create impact that helps cities become resilient, regenerative, and just. Amidst a challenging political context, we continued to move forward with determination, advancing projects, partnerships, and innovations that address the urgent needs of cities today and shape the possibilities of tomorrow. With countless projects in full swing, we secured over 35 new impactful urban research projects, including 2 European projects, 5 Top Sector initiatives, and 8 large NWO projects, covering topics from urban biodiversity and city walkability to bio-based building materials. Additionally, we supported over 30 startups and celebrated our 200th MSc MADE graduate.
We want to take this opportunity to highlight some key moments that defined our work this year and set the stage for an exciting 2026.
Annual Seminar Energy Lab South East
This spring, at the Annual Seminar of the Energy Lab South East, we gathered 120 local partners, scientists, policymakers, professionals, and entrepreneurs to explore strategies for accelerating the energy transition. Discussions centered around practical solutions for sustainable urban energy systems and community-driven initiatives.
Amsterdam 750: Innovation Day & In Motion Expo
As part of Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary celebrations, we hosted Innovation Day at Marineterrein. Startups, innovators, and partners came together to share fresh ideas and explore new approaches to urban challenges, showcasing AMS Institute’s role in shaping resilient and future-ready cities.
In October, the In Motion exhibition opened at Westergasterrein, featuring projects such as TBL Multifunctional Quay Walls, NWO Urbiquay, and the Municipality’s Bridges and Quay Walls Program. For AMS Institute, the exhibition was an opportunity to demonstrate how our research contributes to the city’s future in a tangible, recognizable, and relevant way for all Amsterdam residents.
Official Launch of Living Lab Way of Working Handbook
We officially launched the Living Lab Way of Working Handbook, which provides practical guidance for running collaborative, transdisciplinary urban living labs. The handbook supports researchers, students, and partners in turning innovative ideas into actionable impacts.
Opening of the Academic Year
The academic year began with inspiring discussions around this year’s theme, “Reinventing the City: Connecting the Dots, Closing the Loops.” Introduced by our Scientific Director, Eveline van Leeuwen, this theme, which will also guide the AMS Scientific Conference in 2026, encourages exploration of how connecting dots and closing loops can lead to resilient, regenerative, and just urban futures.
First-ever Impact Digest
At the start of the academic year, we published our first-ever Impact Digest, a collection of project and research stories that bring AMS Institute’s work to life. Rather than focusing on theoretical frameworks, the digest highlights the hands-on process of turning bold ideas into tangible urban solutions. It showcases the people behind the projects and demonstrates how our research drives real-world impact in Amsterdam and cities worldwide.
Opening Digital Autonomy Competence Center
Together with public and academic partners, AMS Institute initiated the Digital Autonomy Competence Center (DACC) to support public organizations in strengthening their digital independence. The center focuses on developing scientifically grounded tools and shared knowledge for more sovereign and future-proof digital solutions.
Official Opening CRCL Park
On October 16, CRCL Park was officially opened at Marineterrein. This park will serve as a new hub for circular innovation, bringing together innovators, researchers, policymakers, and residents to showcase, connect, and scale circular and regenerative solutions. Entrepreneurs, makers, and innovators now have a dedicated space to advance solutions for the circular economy, enhance climate resilience, and develop sustainable urban infrastructure.
New Cohort of Principal Investigators
In 2025, we welcomed a new group of Principal Investigators, some familiar faces and others new, who will represent our founding universities (TU Delft, Wageningen University & Research, and MIT) as well as our industry partners. Their interdisciplinary expertise will help us advance research on urban challenges while fostering collaboration and innovation in our mission to make cities more resilient, regenerative, and just.
Graduation Ceremony & 200th MSc MADE Graduate
We celebrated our MSc MADE graduates, including our 200th graduate! A milestone that reflects the programme’s growth and the strength of its community. The ceremony highlighted the students’ achievements and their contributions to building resilient, regenerative, and just cities, as they take their knowledge and skills into research, policy, and practice around the world.
AMS Booster & Amsterdam Circular
In 2025, our startup incubator programs, AMS Booster and Amsterdam Circular, once again welcomed new cohorts of urban-tech startups and organized key events, including the AMS Booster Demo Day and Amsterdam Circular’s Ecosystem Day. These gatherings brought over 30 startups together with investors, policymakers, and industry partners, providing feedback, visibility, and connections essential for scaling. Through these programmes, AMS Institute continues to support entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions for climate resilience, circularity, energy, and urban digitalization, strengthening Amsterdam’s innovation ecosystem for regenerative and resilient cities.
Launch Leerlab Infra
As part of the Growthfund project ‘Future Proof Living Environment,’ we are making the construction sector more sustainable. In 2025, this work is in full swing, with our newly launched Leerlab Infra online platform enabling professionals to join forces, share knowledge, and innovate together to develop efficient, sustainable infrastructure.
AMS Institute in the Spotlight: From Wageningen World to NewScientist
This year, AMS Institute was featured in several media outlets, including Wageningen World and a widely viewed New Scientist video.
Wageningen World: From waste collection to energy poverty, Wageningen researchers transform academic knowledge into practical solutions through close collaboration between scientists, the municipality, entrepreneurs, and residents at AMS Institute.
NewScientist: Amsterdam aims to be fully circular by 2050 and halve its use of virgin materials by 2030. New Scientist, in partnership with AMS Institute researchers, explored the city’s innovative projects and what they teach us about building a circular future—resulting in an inspiring video.
Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to continue driving projects, partnerships, and innovations. Preparations for our Scientific Conference 2026 are already underway. We look forward to seeing you there.
We extend our gratitude to all partners, researchers, students, and staff for an inspiring 2025. Together, we are shaping the cities of today and tomorrow. Warm holiday wishes from the AMS Institute team. See you in 2026!