Episode 8: A climate-neutral future for Rotterdam’s Schouwburgplein

In this episode of Better Cities by Design, Teun Bokhoven, Chairman of the 7 Square Endeavour, is our guest. We talk with Teun about his efforts to make Rotterdam’s Schouwburgplein (Theater Square) climate-neutral by 2030.The City of Rotterdam is the Netherland’s second largest city with just over one million inhabitants. It’s known for its bold, modern architecture and the plucky nature of its residents. Rotterdam has one of the largest ports in the world and the largest in Europe. Shaped by the devastating impacts of World War II, Rotterdam has a remarkable history, which led it to develop into a modern and forward-leaning city. After the war, as Rotterdam underwent rapid transformation, some residents began to feel that it was becoming a bit impersonal and lacked cultural amenities. This sentiment led to the birth of the Schouwburgplein, also known as Theater Square, which served as a focal point for cultural development.Join Host Davion Ford and Teun, as they discuss the ground-breaking collaborative effort called the 7 Square Endeavour. Teun talks about how this public-private partnership is transforming the Schouwburgplein, reducing energy consumption and adapting it to the impacts of climate change.