Bold city, brave decisions: How the city of Groningen transformed itself into an exemplary city
The research into medium-sized European model cities continues. After a successful presentation in Graz, Austria, the exhibition Bold city, brave decisions: How the city of Groningen transformed itself into an exemplary city is returning home to be displayed in the central hall of the Gedempte Zuiderdiep location of the city of Groningen. Here De Zwarte Hond aims to inspire both citizens and professionals, inviting them to take part in the discussion about the city and its future, to present its public and political dimension and to promote relations and exchanges between its inhabitants.
Although Groningen is an established model city, here too we are looking forward to taking a critical look at current policies and developments as part of the Let’s Gro festival. We are gathering information from the city and its residents about what bold decisions still need to be made if Groningen is to maintain its status as a model city. As part of the research project on medium-sized European cities, the information collected will be turned into advice for the city by De Zwarte Hond. The findings from the various host cities will soon be made available to the public on the Bold City, Brave Decisions website.
“People in medium-sized cities are often happy and satisfied with the quality of the city. Many managers in these cities know how to take important and courageous decisions that have a real impact on the quality of life, and that’s something we can learn from each other,” says Jeroen de Willigen.
About the exhibition
In north-western Europe, many medium-sized cities are becoming highly attractive places to live. This is true of Groningen, a city with a steadily growing population and a number of challenges. How can growing cities continue to develop in a sustainable way? How can liveable, sustainable and inclusive cities grow with their population? From whom can we learn to make inspired decisions on how to design and manage the cities of the future? And how can we ensure a high quality of life in a socially and environmentally sustainable city? In other words, how can we keep today’s cities liveable?
In its 35 years of existence, De Zwarte Hond has played an important role in the appearance and design of the city of Groningen, both architecturally and in terms of urban development. With the exhibition Bold city, brave decisions: How the city of Groningen transformed itself into an exemplary city, the agency provides an insight into the transformation of the city in recent decades. After an overview of the historical development of Groningen, three of the most important ‘brave decisions’ and their implementation in different phases of urban development are presented. Together, these courageous decisions of the past century have made Groningen the compact and distinctive model city that it is today.
Exhibition: 14 October – 15 November 2024 | Mon-Fri, 09:00 – 17:00
Opening: 22 October, 2024 | 16:00 – 18:00
Location: Gedempte Zuiderdiep 98 (central hall)