Rotterdam in development

89 R O T T E R D A M I N O N T W I K K E L I N G | 2 0 1 8 amazing time for RDM is yet to come, when it will have even more life with all the students. The connections across the water can also be improved. However it needs to happen, we want to reach a level where RDM can compete with places like the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven.” Although RDM is already largely complete, the same cannot yet be said for M4H, the other priority of Rotterdam Makers District. Isabelle Vries: “The harbours here were mostly used to store and transfer fruit and to produce fossil-fuel energy. There are still a lot of remnants of energy production, which are being cleared by decontaminating the soil to make the area fit for the future. Now the keywords are energy transition and digitisation, for the manufacturing companies that will come here too. M4H is the ideal testing ground for start-ups looking for flexible space in an urban environment. Innovative industry, manufacturing – this area sees a lot of experimentation in those areas; but there’s still a lot to do in terms of real estate and outdoor space.” Interest in the M4H area is changing. The business world is taking an increasing interest in the former business premises at the site, and in other forms of real estate available there. Two of the Europoint towers are being converted from office space into housing. “That’s a good building block for vitality in the area, that will only increase when the new residents move in,” Isabelle Vries expects. CROSS-POLLINATION The RDM and M4H areas are a good support for each other. “They’re complementary,” say Vries and Goslinga. “It’s all about cross- pollination. It would be great if, when a company at RDM has no more room to grow, it makes the leap to the other side. In terms of the real estate challenge, that means business spaces have to be flexible, to accommodate more businesses. At the same time, it would also be good if the entrepreneurs who start their companies in these two areas contribute to Rotterdam’s innovation climate.” The municipality and Havenbedrijf Rotterdam play a primarily facilitating role. Isabelle Vries: “We want to sketch out the broad lines, offer facilities and connect actors, which will make this an attractive place for businesses.” Education also remains an important part of the Makers District concept. “The young people who come here receive training,” says Jouke Goslinga. “That’s working well, and more and more educational institutions are joining, now also including the TU Delft.” Businesses have now been established in one of the Europoint towers in partnership with the Erasmus Medical Centre and Erasmus University Rotterdam. Vries and Goslinga expect that, together, the more industrial RDM and the creative M4H will make for an attractive Makers District: “Just wait till it gets going. There has to be a good mix. That’s something that also gives us energy. We won’t welcome just anyone, because whoever brings their business here also has to want to support the Makers District philosophy. M4H is now attracting the interest of market actors. We are targeting businesses that actively want to participate in an open innovation climate and sustainable area development.” RDM Rotterdam (photo: Roy Borghouts)