Townmaking

This is the second of two episodes in which host Servaz van Berkum interviews members of the Amsterdam City Council about their work and vision for creating livable cities. Today, he’s joined by researcher, church council member, and City Council Member Elisabeth IJmker.

These episodes also mark the introduction of a new format in our podcast series. Periodically, alongside our regular episodes, we will spotlight individuals who have made a significant societal impact, delving into what motivates and drives them.

We hope these conversations offer valuable insights into how local actions can shape the future of our communities.

This podcast was produced and curated by Indranil Bhattacharya, Omar Zuberi, Bono Siebelink, and Servaz van Berkum, with music by Mickey Smid.

This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next Commons principles (https://nextcommons.townmaking.com/).

See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information.

In this episode, host Servaz van Berkum sits down with restaurateur and Amsterdam City Council member Elise Moeskops to talk about what drives her forward in her life, her work, and how this has shaped her role as a city council member.

This episode kicks off a new format for the series, where we focus on everyday people making a real difference in their communities. We’ll talk about their work, their vision, and how they’re helping to create more livable cities.

This podcast was produced and curated by Indranil Bhattacharya , OmarZuberi, Bono Siebelink, and Servaz van Berkum. Music was by Mickey Smid.

This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next Commons principles (https://nextcommons.townmaking.com/).

See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information.

In this episode, host Servaz van Berkum continues his conversation with Townmaking engineer Paul Timmer. They explore the growing use of e-bikes and the important issue of safety. Are e-bikes, as they are today, fundamentally unsafe? How do they influence urban planning and the way we commute? Most importantly, how can we address the safety concerns they raise? 

Paul suggests that certifying motor systems could improve safety standards without requiring every new e-bike model to undergo individual testing.

This podcast was produced and curated by Paul Timmer, Indranil Bhattacharya , OmarZuberi, Bono Siebelink, and Servaz van Berkum. Music was by Mickey Smid.

For more information on the Townmaking Institute and this podcast series, visit townmaking.com.

This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next Commons principles (https://nextcommons.townmaking.com/).

See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information.

This episode is the final installment of our three-part series on speed dynamics in urban environments. 

In this episode, host Servaz van Berkum continues his conversation with Townmaking engineer Paul Timmer. This time, they delve into Adaptive Speed Governance (ASG), an innovative driver-assistance system created by the Townmaking Institute in partnership with the City of Amsterdam.

Initially developed for e-bikes, ASG can enhance the safety of all types of vehicles without relying on cameras or sensors or infringing on privacy. It requires no filming or redesigning of public spaces to regulate speeds.

Although unnecessary, it might help to listen to the previous two episodes to understand today’s discussion fully.

This podcast was produced and curated by Paul Timmer, Indranil Bhattacharya , OmarZuberi, Bono Siebelink, and Servaz van Berkum. Music was by Mickey Smid.

For more information on the Townmaking Institute and this podcast series, visit townmaking.com.

This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next Commons principles (https://nextcommons.townmaking.com/).

See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information.

This is the second episode in our three-part series exploring the dynamics of speed in urban environments. In this episode, Townmaking engineer Paul Timmer joins host Servaz van Berkum to discuss Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA). ISA is a system designed to alert drivers or even take control when a vehicle exceeds the local speed limit. Since July 2022, the European Union has mandated ISA for all new vehicles, including cars and lorries. We’ll delve into how ISA works, its objectives for enhancing road safety, and the challenges it faces when implemented without considering societal impacts

This podcast was produced and curated by Paul Timmer, Indranil Bhattacharya , OmarZuberi, Bono Siebelink, and Servaz van Berkum. Music was by Mickey Smid.

For more information on the Townmaking Institute and this podcast series, visit townmaking.com.

This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next Commons principles (https://nextcommons.townmaking.com/).

See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information.

This is the first episode in a three-part series exploring the dynamics of speed in urban environments. Indranil Bhattacharya and host Servaz van Berkum will delve into the intricate relationships between speed, liveability, and safety. How does travel speed impact our surroundings? How do we perceive speed, and how do others perceive our movement? Moreover, how should we regulate speed, and why is it necessary to do so?

This podcast was produced and curated by Paul Timmer, Indranil Bhattacharya , Omar Zuberi, Bono Siebelink, and Servaz van Berkum. Music was by Mickey Smid.

For more information on the Townmaking Institute and this podcast series, visit townmaking.com.

This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next Commons principles (https://nextcommons.townmaking.com/).

See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information.

In this follow-up episode of Townmaking, host Servaz van Berkum continues the conversation with Walter Dresscher, diving deeper into the practical aspects of building communities centered around community-owned mobility. Walter shares his personal journey of starting his own community and now guiding others to do the same. They discuss the tangible steps and strategies required to foster these innovative communities, highlighting real-world examples and actionable insights. Learn how shared mobility initiatives can lead to vibrant, sustainable urban neighborhoods and enhance the quality of urban life.

This podcast was produced and curated by Walter Dresscher, Omar Zuberi, Bono Siebelink, and Servaz van Berkum (host). Music was by Mickey Smid.

For more information on the Townmaking Institute and this podcast series, visit townmaking.com.

This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next Commons principles (https://nextcommons.townmaking.com/).

See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information.

In this episode of Townmaking, host Servaz van Berkum sits down with Walter Dresscher to discuss community-owned mobility, also known as Mobility as a Commons (MaaC). Together, they delve into communal models of ownership, discussing how shared vehicles and shared efforts can contribute to building vibrant, liveable cities and enhance urban life.

This podcast was produced and curated by Walter Dresscher, Omar Zuberi, Bono Siebelink, and Servaz van Berkum (host). Music by Mickey Smid.

See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information on Townmaking Institute and this podcast series.

This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next Commons principles (https://nextcommons.townmaking.com/).

See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information.

The Internet today mostly treats us as consumers, not as citizens. To make things worse, we are often represented as users conforming to the same standards. As citizens we have rights to clean water, clean air, and healthy food. As digital citizens, we should have the right to represent ourselves accurately, and to know where and how our information is being used. However, we are often without agency, funneled into revenue-maximizing streams. But we are not the same, we come from different cultures, our languages are unique, and our needs are different. So how do we change the internet in such a way that we enable digital societies to flourish? How do we make it local and adaptive to our diverse needs?

In this episode of Townmaking, host Servaz van Berkum will talk with Indranil Bhattacharya and Tessa Cramer. Indranil is one of the initiators of Townmaking Institute. Tessa is a futurist and lector on designing the future at the Fontys Academy for the Creative Economy in Tilburg, the Netherlands.

This podcast was produced and curated by Indranil Bhattacharya, Omar Zuberi, Fernanda Hunken Herrera, and Servaz van Berkum (host). Music by Mickey Smid.

See https://digitalsociety.townmaking.com/ for more about Digital Culture.
See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information on Townmaking Institute and this podcast series.

This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next Commons principles (https://nextcommons.townmaking.com/).

See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information.

In the third episode of Townmaking, we discuss the NextCommons Principles. What are they and why does Indranil Bhattacharya think they are needed for societal equality and resilience?

This podcast was produced and curated by Indranil Bhattacharya, Omar Zuberi, Fernanda Hunken Herrera, and Servaz van Berkum (host). Music by Mickey Smid.

This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next Commons principles (https://nextcommons.townmaking.com/).

See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information.