"I think the most interesting things happen in the places we don't expect them and the places where it is a bit uncomfortable."

Are you interested in the economic importance of mid-sized cities? What do you think about the European Union of Cities? How can governments leave cities evolve while only creating the atmosphere allowing that evolution?

Interview with Remco Deelstra, Strategic Housing Advisor for the Municipality of Leeuwarden. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, positive economic vibes, knowing when to act, and many more.

Remco Deelstra has been fascinated by cities since childhood, especially the interplay between the physical city (ville) and the lived city (cité). He creates urban environments where living, working, mobility and amenities form inclusive, liveable places. As Strategic Housing Advisor for the Municipality of Leeuwarden, Remco shapes housing futures in a medium-sized European city, tackling accessibility, affordability and social cohesion. His expertise spans strategic urban policy, area development and neighbourhood renewal, linking housing to well-being and spatial goals. An urban thinker, he views cities as systems, connecting social, spatial and economic dynamics across disciplines. He finds innovation in the unfamiliar and draws energy from national and international networks. Since 2008, Remco has published on city-making, inclusive urbanism and housing markets, and gives guest lectures on urban development and governance.

Find out more about Remco through these links:

• Remco Deelstra on LinkedIn
• Remco Deelstra on Substack

Connecting episodes you might be interested in:

• No.003 - Interview with Frans-Anton Vermast about Amsterdam Smart City
• No.090 - Interview with Matthew McCartney about the connection between cities and economics
• No.348 - Interview with Nick Lalla about US based mid-sized cities
• No.377R - Developing intermediate cities

What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WTF4Cities⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wtf4cities.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website where the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shownotes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ are also available.

I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.

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