New research and educational network ‘Heritage and Space’

The research and education network ‘Heritage and Space’ consist of:

• Dr. J. (Hans) Renes: Hans Renes was appointed professor of Heritage of city and country at the Faculty of Arts at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Renes also teaches historical geography and heritage at the University of Utrecht and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is specialized in history and heritage of cultural landscapes in the Netherlands and Europe.
• Ir. E.A.J. (Eric) Luiten:. Eric Luiten is part-time professor of Spatial Design at the Faculty of Architecture of Delft University of Technology. In addition, Luiten is spatial quality consultant in in the province of South Holland. As quality consultant he is able to support, from an independent position, the provincial administration when it comes to environmental issues.
• Dr. J. (Joks) Janssen: Joks Janssen was appointed professor of Spatial Planning and Cultural History at the Environmental Science Group of Wageningen University. Janssen is an urban engineer. In late 2005 he obtained his doctorate thesis titled ‘Thinking ahead and linger’, the (re) construction of the rural areas in South-East Brabant (1920-2000). At the moment he is working as a strategic advisor in spatial development for the province of North Brabant.
• The team is supported by the National Board for Cultural Heritage’s Dr. Cees-Jan Pen who is appointed as network manager from that role to facilitate the research and education network ‘Heritage and Space’. Pen is also program manager at NICIS Institute.

Spatial planning and organization in the Netherlands

Currently all kinds of themes in spatial planning and organization play a role in the Netherlands. The economic crisis, a shrinking population and the rising vacancy of buildings, the renovation of water control and climate change are all asking for spatial responses. Sustainable solutions to these issues are, according to the lessons learned, often found when the special significance of the place in the various projects is included. This relates to issues such as recognition, history and identity. The 3 chairs are exploring together, but each from its own perspective, how heritage and space can be linked: what solutions they offer each other, but also the tensions that occur when they are combined.

Heritage and Space is a joint initiative

The new research and education network Heritage and Space is a joint initiative of the government (Ministries of Education, Culture and Science, Infrastructure and Environment and the Economy, Agriculture and Innovation), the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology and Wageningen University. The initiative is a continuation of the Education Network Belvedere. The focus will move in this second phase from an educational network to a research and education network.

For more information

For more information please contact Alie van Veenendaal, senior communications officer for the National Board for Cultural Heritage (telephone: +31 (0)621210508, e-mail: a.van.veenendaal@cultureelerfgoed.nl or Cees-Jan (telephone: +31 (0)651111906, e-mail: ceesjan.pen@nicis.nl.