Culture Campus
the city’s
future

Rotterdam is a city that always looks ahead, where we see the generous space available to us, and make good use of that space. It is a city that refuses to live, think, or take action within the confines of preconceived limitations. A city where we connect unique forces and strengthen their combined potential. Taking you beyond the borders of what you can imagine all on your own…

Iconic & experimental
Metropolitan & international

The location

Starting mid 2023 in its surroundings, the Charloisse Hoofd will be home to Rotterdam’s latest hotspot end of years ’20: the place where Rotterdam locals, cultural creatives, educators, students and scientists derive inspiration from the city’s skyline and from each other. It will be a place where they can collaborate to create solutions and recharge by taking a stroll along the waterfront. The environment is perfect for experimentation: anything we can imagine can be implemented immediately. This exciting location will bring together visitors from near and far to discover the latest innovations, inspiring enthusiasm about the incredible potential for the city’s future. Co-creation and co-design are embedded in the DNA of the Culture Campus, founded on a convergence of science and arts and facilitated by engaging citizens, local residents, city-makers, start-ups and entrepreneurs in an inclusive setting that fosters social impact. From its early days as an experimental location and concept, it will grow and flourish to become an enduring icon of Rotterdam Zuid, leading the way for the Netherlands and the rest of the world.

Creativity & science
Education & culture

Unique partnership

Innovative solutions for complex societal issues demand innovative impact that soars beyond the boundaries of separate disciplines. The Culture Campus emerged from a partnership formed by Codarts, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and Willem de Kooning Academy RUAS, and the municipality of Rotterdam. These partners will be joined in future by other pioneers in the field of culture, science and innovation. Together, they will develop ground-breaking solutions for challenges that are relevant to cities all over the world and will educate a new generation of city-makers. For example, how can we continue coexisting in pleasant and healthy ways within the limited space available to us? How can we incorporate circular and sustainable concepts into the city’s structures while remaining productive? And how do we prevent people from sinking into debt?

Future city-makers & promising students
Locals & tourists

Who is it for?

The Culture Campus welcomes students, talented professionals, researchers and cultural creatives from Rotterdam, the Netherlands and beyond. The location is easily accessible to all the people of Rotterdam, as well as regional visitors and international tourists. It offers a great location to sit and do your homework, or sample the very best locally roasted coffee. The Culture Campus is a living lab that offers room to experiment, grow and innovate. That intrinsic quality will also be expressed in the next few years in the area’s development and placemaking. From show or exhibition to techno lab, from cultural conference to artificial intelligence studio, the future holds infinite possibilities.

In development

The Culture Campus opens up a whole new city district, offering unique opportunities for local residents and parties throughout the region. It proves the potential of Rotterdam Zuid, enabling it to grow into a shining example for cities worldwide. In this location, we will develop talent, build towards our city of the future, and work on solutions that can be used all over the world. The people involved are already dedicating time and energy to a short-term plan and a longer-term schedule of requirements. Local residents, stakeholders and other interested parties are constantly consulted and engaged in the process. Input from the national government, regional committees and district councils, foundations, the cultural sector and educational partners has also provided crucial direction along the way. Follow the latest developments on this website, or contact us via cultuurcampus@rotterdam.nl to find out more about how you could get involved.

Timeline

• June 2020

  Covenant between municipality and universities
  More info

  Covenant between municipality and universities

  In late June 2020, the Municipality of Rotterdam signed an agreement with the partners in higher education – Codarts University of the Arts, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences – and work started on developing tangible plans for the shorter and longer term.

• March 2020

  Feasibility study
  More info

  Feasibility study

  The findings from the feasibility study on the triumvirate’s advisory report were presented to the Municipal Executive Committee in March 2020. The full study was sent to the City Council in July 2020. The feasibility study identified four building blocks for an attainable Culture Campus:

  • Joint development with solid partners – covenant signed by Codarts University of the Arts, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and the Municipality of Rotterdam
  • Growth model that allows for a rapid kick-off
  • Situated along the Maashaven, starting at Charloisse Hoofd
  • Overarching theme: ‘Future of the city’

  Feasibility study on the Culture Campus (in Dutch) – PDF(2.4M)

• 2019

  Advisory report by the Culture Campus triumvirate
  More info

  Advisory report by the Culture Campus triumvirate

  In September 2019, a triumvirate (consisting of Marco Pastors – National Programme for Rotterdam Zuid, Wilma Franchimon – Codarts University of the Arts, and Theo Kemperman – Central Library of Rotterdam) provided its advisory report to the municipality regarding the construction of the Culture Campus, bringing together knowledge, culture and tourism as drivers for a liveable and lively city. The central theme of the Culture Campus is ‘the future of the city’. Based on this advisory report, the Municipal Executive Committee commissioned a feasibility study.

  Advisory report by the triumvirate (in Dutch)

• 2018

  Regional deal for Rotterdam Zuid
  More info

  Regional deal for Rotterdam Zuid

  In December 2018, the Regional Deal for the National Programme for Rotterdam Zuid (NPRZ) was signed. This regional deal with the national government stipulates that culture is a small but fundamentally important part of the approach to this part of Rotterdam.

  Parliamentary Letter on the Regional Deal for Rotterdam Zuid
  Annexe to the Parliamentary Letter
  (both documents only available in Dutch)

• 2016

  Parliamentary motion by Monasch and Hoogland: National Institute of Cultural Studies
  More info

  Parliamentary motion by Monasch and Hoogland: National Institute of Cultural Studies

  In 2016, Members of Parliament Monasch and Hoogland issued a call to look into the viability of an ambitious, progressive institute that would contribute to the appeal of Rotterdam Zuid. The motion (32820-198) was adopted by the House of Representatives.

  Monasch-Hoogland motion 32820-198 (in Dutch)

• 2017

  Exploratory study on Rotterdam as a ‘house with many rooms’ and a manifesto for culture in ‘Rotterdam Connected’
  More info

  Exploratory study on Rotterdam as a ‘house with many rooms’ and a manifesto for culture in ‘Rotterdam Connected’

  In the context of a mandate from the Dutch government, Pauline van der Meer Mohr, whose illustrious career included five years chairing the board of Erasmus University Rotterdam, was asked by Mayor Aboutaleb of Rotterdam to explore the options for “an institute that can establish a vital connection between the municipal, national and international agenda, founded on the envisioned educational and cultural value for the residents of Rotterdam Zuid, and along the way also the northern part of the city”. In spring of 2017, she presented her findings in an exploratory study on culture in Rotterdam Zuid entitled Een huis met veel kamers [A House with Many Rooms]. In November 2017, this led to ‘Rotterdam Connected’, a cultural manifesto in which educational institutes and stakeholders from the cultural sector call on the municipality to take ambitious next steps.

  An exploratory study on culture in Rotterdam Zuid: Een huis met veel kamers
  ‘Rotterdam Connected’: a cultural manifesto
  (both documents only available in Dutch)