“Mutual interdependence is the ultimate strength of cities”

Copying or specializing?

European cities all want to be successful and secure their futures. But how do you do that? Many cities seem to copy each other and replicate each other’s policies and programmes. According to Winy Maas this copying behaviour is inevitable and not necessarily wrong. “In relation to some areas, such as reducing the gap between poor and rich and urban renewal, cities can really learn a lot from each other. In that case copying does not create any problem I think.” However, there is also a reverse side. “By copying certain interventions, cities start to compete with each other in the same area. However, I believe that cities should not all wish to construct the same financial centres or the same type of economy. There are benefits to specialisation. When cities develop their own specific economies, the mutual bonds between cities are strengthened. After all, you have to get the things that you do not have yourself somewhere else. For Europe this is very important,” Maas says.

Specialisation is also important from another point of view though. In order to sustain the quality and prosperity of European cities, economic steps have to be taken. Maas points at the necessity of economic renewal. “At the moment we are very much focused on the knowledge economy. This makes cities vulnerable. Of course we also have a leisure and tourist economy, but I think it is important to allow other types of economies, such as the classical production economy, as well. In addition, I would encourage the integration of agriculture into the urban fabric. In that way the urban economy can also be widened.”

Sustainability through density

Sustainability, a popular theme for today’s cities, is also part of renewal and innovation according to Maas. “Because of their density, cities play an important role in the transition to a new energy era. Density creates synergy, and therefore leads to a lower use of energy. It also creates a kind of heat bubble which has its own positive effects.” In other words, density is good for our climate. Maas says that in this area we need innovation as well. He promotes so-called ‘cool cities’; cities that become more sustainable because of their density. Manhattan and Hong Kong are good examples. “According to many people, Manhattan is the most sustainable place on the planet because of its compact size, energy use and mobility. Hong Kong is at second place, with the lowest car use in the world. We should extend these kinds of achievements by investing more. This can be done by expanding public transport and better integrating the water- and cleaning cycle into this urban compactness. But it can also be done through greening and the local storage of water. In addition, it is important to integrate agriculture into the urban fabric.”

The ideal city

Maas is an advocate of density, diversity and innovation. He therefore describes the ideal city as a place with many different people, where many different things happen, and where people can realize their potential. In other words: a city that offers people opportunities to develop themselves. Innovation is a key word in this respect. “When it comes to work, people, culture and governance, a city has to be innovative.”

Future sounds? Not according to Maas. “These kinds of cities already exist. Amsterdam, Paris and Berlin are examples of cities that are continuously trying to innovate. Many other cities also have their own ways of interpreting innovation. In this area, it is important that we do not copy each other, but that every city develops its own character. We have to enlarge the mutual interdependence between cities and strengthen the urban mix. In the end, this is the ultimate strength of cities.”

© EUKN, Simone Pekelsma