Amsterdam & Rotterdam

Transcription

1 Amsterdam & Rotterdam THE POWER OF PRAGMATIC PLANNING May 13 22, 2019 Faced with the challenges of flooding and managing a lot of activity in a small country, the Dutch have developed the expertise to solve many of the big challenges that communities around the world face today, including climate change, rising water, population growth, urbanization and transportation issues. In the Netherlands polder is not only low-lying land reclaimed from the sea but a verb as well. To polder means being willing and able to make a compromise with one s adversaries, to find common ground. The Dutch willingness to find common ground is an aspect of a prevailing pragmatism. Instead of looking for the ideal solution, the Dutch go for a solution that serves the greater good. This lack of idealism means that the Dutch do not aim to make a better world, but rather try to make the world better. More than in most places, there is the conviction that the entire country can be designed and engineered to create liveable communities and beautiful countryside. This 9-day trip to the Netherlands explores the power of design, and how Dutch are pragmatically finding ways to make their country a better place. With 5 days in and around Amsterdam, and 4 in and around Rotterdam, this trip includes meetings with provocative thinkers and designers, and excursions off the beaten track to see a large number of exceptional initiatives and experimental projects, which offer insights that counter the clichés of the Netherlands as a country of tulips and windmills.

2 Introducing: The Most Liveable Cities WHERE PEOPLE FLOURISH Cities are birthplaces of civilization; centres of culture, trade, and progress and by 2080 will be home to 80% of the world s population. I invite you to travel with me to some of the world s most liveable cities where we will discover what delights and enlivens people who call a particular city home. Liveable Cities is a new and engaging series of trips to places where people love to live. What makes a city great for all its residents, not just a privileged few? Some of the basics are: Vibrant and walkable neighbourhoods Streets that burst with life Transit options that work for all pedestrians, cyclists, public transit users, taxis, and, where necessary, drivers Public spaces that are beautiful, exciting, and well-maintained Housing that is plentiful and affordable These are only a few of the markers that contribute to a high quality of urban life for all; young and old; educated and uneducated; new-comers and life-long residents; arts lovers and fitness nuts; athletes and those with special needs. We will travel to people-oriented cities in both the developed and developing world to get to know what makes them tick their proud achievements, and their continuing challenges. On each Liveable Cities tour we will: Step into the shoes of local residents and walk around, seeing the city through their eyes Consider how buildings and the space between them can enhance quality of life Reflect on the delicate interplay between urban opposites, such as vitality and safety; public and private spaces; gentrification and affordability; diverse populations and homogeneous enclaves Find innovative examples of community-building and creating public spaces Meet urban leaders, professional architects and planners, and, of course, those who live there You will return home never looking at your city, yourself, or your neighbours the same way again. Liveable Cities is the latest brainchild of Ann Kirkland, a lifelong urban enthusiast. She holds a MS in Urban Planning from Columbia University and practiced policy planning for the Province of Ontario for over 30 years before striking out in 1999 to found Classical Pursuits, a unique program that offers travel adventures for serious, curious readers. Now, having bequeathed Classical Pursuits to a worthy successor, she is embarking on a new venture that combines travel with her earlier passion: resilient and joyous cities where its residents flourish.

3 Rotterdam Amsterdam Rotterdam Almere NETHERLANDS Eindhoven BELGIUM TOUR LEADER Hans Ibelings is a Dutch architectural critic and historian. Ibelings is born and raised in Rotterdam and was a longtime Amsterdammer where he lived prior to moving to Canada. Currently he is lecturer at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design of the University of Toronto and the publisher of The Architecture Observer. As the author of a large number of books on architecture and urban planning he has a deep understanding of the total design of the Netherlands.

4 Detailed Itinerary Monday, May 13: Meet in Amsterdam Arrive in Amsterdam and make independent arrangements to reach our hotel in the city centre. Please note that transfers from the airport to the hotel are not included on this trip. Join our trip briefing this afternoon at 5PM, followed by dinner together. Meals: Dinner Tuesday, May 14: The New Metropolis in Amsterdam New West This morning Hans leads a discussion on the twin themes of culture in a diverse society and the regeneration of large-scale suburbs from the 1950 s and 60 s. Visit the Pakhuis de Zwijger, a unique cultural organization that functions as a 21st century debate centre. It stimulates collaboration towards a livable city, connecting domains and disciplines to imagineer the future of everyday living. We ll join in the current daily program and discuss issues such as Who owns the city and Will Amsterdam become a real inclusive city. Wednesday, May 15: Sweet & Salt The Dutch and Water Meet Tracy Metz, a journalist and author based in the Netherlands. Her most recent book is Sweet & Salt: Water and the Dutch, on the extreme makeover of the Dutch landscape to accommodate a new relationship with water. Tracy writes critically but also with a sense of humour about architecture, urbanism, nature, and landscape and will discuss our relationship to our built and natural environment. The venue for our meeting is the Eye Museum, where we ll tour the building and learn about the activities at the cultural centre. Eye Museum Thursday, May 16: Urban Living in the Eastern Harbour Area Today a local municipal planner will join us as we visit the Eastern Harbour area, consisting of a number of artificial peninsulas constructed around As the activities of the once-flourishing port waned, the city decided, in the 1990 s, to convert the harbour into a residential area. We ll see a new interpretation of the garden city model and visit several homes. Friday, May 17: New town and new nature in Almere Take a day trip by train to the town of Almere, developed in the 1970 s in the new polder of Flevoland. Located just across the IJmeer from Amsterdam, Alemere is the newest city in the Netherlands, known for its success in presenting modern architecture while preserving a natural environment. Tour the area and learn about the controversial and ill-fated scheme to re-wild the area. Saturday, May 18: By train to Rotterdam and an introduction to citizenship This morning we travel by train to Rotterdam. Hans will discuss the concept of citizenship in a visit to the Luchtsingel area. A prime location in the centre of the city, this area was dominated by abandoned open spaces and vacant high rises. Instead of waiting for the market economy to redevelop the area, the city council organized a city initiative to encourage citizens to present revitalization projects with funds set aside for project implementation. We ll meet with local architects engaged in the project. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

5 Sunday, May 19: Innovative art institutions Visit the Witte de With Centre for Contemporary Art, conceived to present works of visual artists and culture makers and to imagine the futures art can shape, and the Het Nieuwe Instituut, to view a selection of projects in the areas of architecture, design, and digital culture. Hans will discuss trends in these areas. Wednesday, May 22: Return to Amsterdam and depart This morning we return to Amsterdam by train. Our tour concludes at the Amsterdam Central Train Station. Meals: Breakfast Note: The itinerary and accommodation described in this tour brochure are subject to change due to logistical arrangements and to take advantage of local events. Allrecipes Sergey Galyonkin Monday, May 20: Urban renewal projects Hans has selected interesting examples of urban renewal to visit today. Start at the Markthal; a huge market ground floor under an arch of apartments. Visit the Wijnhaveneiland (Wine Harbour) located between the city centre and the Maas River where a dynamic transformation model is creating a vibrant, open-ended development. Tuesday, May 21: Transforming industrial heritage in Eindhoven Travel by train to nearby Eindhoven to experience the transformation of the industrial heritage of the Philips plant to fit a thriving high tech industry. The global electronics company created the modern city now known for its creative design. Visit the thought-provoking modern art gallery, see Building Anton, a Philips factory transformed into a residential building, and meet with people thinking about the social design of the area. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

6 Rotterdam skyline TOUR DETAILS Tour Cost (per person): C$4295 Taxes and Gratuities (per person): C$250 Single Supplement: C$1400 We would be happy to try to match you with a suitable roommate. If we are unable to, the single supplement will apply. This will be collected at 90 days prior to departure. Group Size: participants What s Included: Accommodations based on double occupancy in listed hotels or similar Meals as noted in the itinerary All ground transportation as listed by public transit Train travel between Amsterdam and Rotterdam Presentations by Hans Ibelings A full program of activities and presentations with local contributors Excursions as listed with experienced English-speaking local guides All entrance fees Taxes and Gratuities as indicated above Fully escorted by Hans Ibelings and Ann Kirkland Not Included: Roundtrip international airfare from your home Airport and departure taxes Airport transfers on arrival and departure Meals and beverages not included in the itinerary Items of a personal nature, ie laundry, drinks, phone calls, etc. Travel insurance Additional transport due to any emergency situation Please contact us for personalized flight arrangements. Payment Details: A non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve a place on this tour. A second nonrefundable deposit of US$1000 per person is required six months prior to departure. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

7 WHAT TO EXPECT Joining Instructions This tour begins with our briefing and welcome dinner at 5PM on May 13th. Please ensure that you arrive in Amsterdam by 3PM to join the group. Please note that transfers between the airport and the hotel on arrival and departure are not included. You must make your own arrangements to reach the hotel. Level of Activity: Moderate to Active We will be walking extensively on this tour and using public transportation in cities. You should be able to walk up to three hours at a stretch unassisted on sidewalks and on uneven terrain. Accommodation The Hotel Arena is located in in a historic building in the up-andcoming eastern part of Amsterdam. The park-side hotel combines original 19th century features with a tranquil, modernist design. The Hotel New York, Rotterdam is situated in the former head office of the Holland America Line on the Kop van Zuid in the city centre. Transportation All transportation is on foot or by public transit. Weather Expect temperatures around 21 C in the day and 15 C at night with mixed sun and cloud. Travel Documents You will require a passport for this trip. Please ensure it is valid for six months beyond your return date. Travel advice Before booking, please refer to the Canadian government website to obtain travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting: ADDITIONAL INFO Extend your Stay If you are interested in exploring more of this region, we would be happy to design a personalized extension for you either before or after this tour. Please let us suggest some options, based on your time available, budget and interests. Terms and Conditions For additional information about our terms and conditions, please refer to your booking form, the current brochure or our website. All participants booking with Worldwide Quest are covered by the terms of the Ontario Travel Industry Act (Worldwide Quest International, Ontario - License # ). Cancellation Policy All payments are non-refundable, however you may transfer your initial deposit for any land tour to another tour 90 days or more prior to your scheduled departure date. Initial deposits for cruises are non-refundable and non-transferable. Your second payment and your final payment are non-refundable and nontransferable. If you cancel within 90 days prior to trip departure, all associated trip costs are non-refundable. The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credits will be given for services not used. In the event of a cancellation, you must notify Worldwide Quest immediately and in writing. Travel Insurance We urge you to ensure that you have adequate cancellation and medical insurance in place, should an unexpected event cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip or should the tour not be operable per our terms and conditions. We will offer you Manulife insurance coverage. Medical insurance including emergency medical evacuation coverage is mandatory on all our tours. Worldwide Quest Explorers Club We d like to make sure that you know about our Worldwide Explorers Club. Travel twice with us and we ll say a special thank you by taking 5% off all your subsequent trips. The bonus applies to our brochure trips only, is non-transferrable, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or credit. Note that some exceptions may apply as indicated on the tour s Detailed Itinerary. TICO#: