2025 Best Practices Trip: The Netherlands

Description

BEST PRACTICES IN THE NETHERLANDS

Join Portland area leaders on a Best Practices trip to the Netherlands (with a Norway extension), May 18-23, 2025 to learn first-hand how an integrated urban systems approach can help us collectively address Portland’s challenges.

Experience the synergy of high density housing development with attractive urban space and efficient transportation systems, enabling sustainable economic innovation and growth, in an environment of a humane social support system.

We will be based at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Utrecht, a medieval city in the center of the Netherlands, and the 4^th largest city in the country.  In addition to meetings there with leaders from business, government, and the social sector, we will make day-visits to Amsterdam, Rotterdam (a major port), and Eindhoven.

There will also be a 5-day extension (May 23-28) to Oslo and Bergen to learn about sustainability in Norway.

Registration fee covers most meals, some ground transportation and all tours. 

• Additional charges: airfare, hotel, public transportation

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: February 28, 2025

Detailed program (subject to change)

May 18              Arrival in Utrecht.  Opening reception at the the Crowne Plaza.

May 19              Day in Utrecht

• Morning session at the hotel with introductions about the Dutch economy, political system, and planning process. Afternoon walking tour of downtown Utrecht with a focus on integrated planning for housing, transportation, and business development.

May 20              Travel to Amsterdam.  

• In the morning, experience circular economy projects: Buiksloterham, a circular neighborhood constantly innovating with a focus on energy, resource cycles, biodiversity, and livability; Schoonschip, a floating residential community established in early 2020 consisting of 46 households; and De Ceuvel, a sustainable hub for creative and social entrepreneurs on a former shipyard.
•  Afternoon presentation by City of Amsterdam on the Circular Law accelerating transition to a circular economy.  Visit to Arcadis, a major international planning firm.

May 21              Travel to Eindhoven. 

• In Eindhoven, we will deep dive into the Netherland's version of the Silicon Forest to learn about the Brainport region's bold growth vision and initiatives to accommodate growth, attract investment, and retain talent in a livability and technology driven economy. We will observe adaptive reuse of the Philips campuses and other underutilized buildings, redevelopment of the Eindhoven Centraal station area, and the very talented ways the city is enhancing public spaces for people and placemaking as the city grows.
• We will visit ASML to learn about the groundbreaking Brainport Partner Fund.

May 22              Travel to Rotterdam 

• In Rotterdam we will focus on the effect the harbor has on logistics and how technology and innovation help manage this. We will observe the redevelopment of Rijnhaven, green and car-free developments such as Littel C, the re-imagining of Hofplein, the makeover of Coolsingel corridor, and the Ferry 2 Connect river ferry service at the Future Mobility Park.

May 23              Travel to Amsterdam (Norway travelers bring luggage). 

• Morning: Choice of bike tours of Amsterdam: Bike parking at Amsterdam Central Station (two underground garages holding 10,000 bikes); Zuidas Station (putting an existing highway underground and expanding the multi-modal node at the fastest growing business corridor and railroad station in the country; cycling tour through Amsterdam to experience the urban fabric that puts humans above cars; other options being planned.
• Afternoon: Norway travelers leave for airport and fly to Bergen. Others: free afternoon in Amsterdam

May 24              Travel to Portland

NORWAY EXTENSIONS

As an add on to the Netherlands Best Practices trip, we have a wonderful option to continue and visit Norway. While in Norway, we will be meeting and learning both in Bergen Norway, a Unesco World Heritage Site and the second largest city in Norway, and Oslo, the country’s largest city approximately the size of Portland.

Topics we will explore include; electrification and de-carbonization of the Ports, waterfront ground redevelopment projects, Norway's Department of Corrections, and Oslo Science City.

Click here for more details on the Norway extension.