Rotterdam’s Vision for a Digital City : An Interview with Roland van der Heijden

In this episode of the AEC Business Podcast, I spoke with Roland van der Heijden, the Program Manager for Rotterdam’s Digital City initiatives. We discussed the city’s ambitious efforts to integrate digital infrastructure into urban environments, the role of AI and data in city planning, and how Rotterdam sets an example for the future of smart cities. Roland has a background in city planning and has always been fascinated by how urban environments evolve. A keen interest in the intersection of digital technology and urban development has shaped his career. Over the past six years, he has led Rotterdam’s Digital City program, working to understand how digital transformation impacts city life. His current focus is on the “Citiverse,” a human-centered approach to integrating digital elements into urban ecosystems. A New Vision for Urban Development For centuries, cities have been defined by their physical and social structures, where communities interact within a built environment. However, as digital technology becomes more embedded in daily life, Rotterdam redefines itself as a “social-physical-digital” city. The increasing influence of digital elements such as data, AI, and smart technology means that urban life is no longer confined to the physical world alone. To conceptualize this transformation, Rotterdam has introduced the idea of the “Citiverse.” This new framework envisions a city where people move seamlessly between physical and digital spaces, a shift already visible in how people engage with their environment. Social interactions that once took place in public spaces are now often mediated through digital platforms, from neighborhood WhatsApp groups to social media networks. Meanwhile, physical infrastructure is being enhanced with digital layers, such as traffic systems powered by AI and smart waste management solutions. The Open Urban Platform: A Digital Infrastructure for the City One of the key pillars of Rotterdam’s digital transformation is the Open Urban Platform, a municipal initiative designed to facilitate the safe and ethical exchange of data. Unlike traditional digital infrastructures controlled by large technology corporations, this platform ensures that governance power remains in the hands of the public. A dedicated governance board oversees its operation, ensuring that all interactions are transparent, secure, and ethically responsible. By establishing this digital infrastructure, Rotterdam aims to provide a foundation for a smarter city where different urban systems can communicate seamlessly. The platform functions as a “digital highway,” enabling diverse data sources to connect with applications that can benefit businesses, citizens, and municipal services. How Digital Integration Improves City Services The practical applications of Rotterdam’s digital city initiatives are already making a significant impact. One example is emergency response, where the municipality facilitated collaboration between BMW and Safety Region Rotterdam-Rijnmond to enhance safety measures. Modern BMW vehicles collect real-time data, including temperature fluctuations, which can serve as early indicators of potential fire hazards. By getting this information in real time, responders receive timely alerts, allowing them to act more swiftly in critical situations. Other applications are urban mobility and crisis management. Rotterdam has developed advanced models to predict and manage...