In this episode of the AEC Business Podcast, I spoke with Roland van der Heijden, the Program Manager for Rotterdam’s Digital City initiatives. We discussed the city’s ambitious efforts to integrate digital infrastructure into urban environments, the role of AI and data in city planning, and how Rotterdam sets an example for the future of smart cities.
Roland has a background in city planning and has always been fascinated by how urban environments evolve. A keen interest in the intersection of digital technology and urban development has shaped his career.
Over the past six years, he has led Rotterdam’s Digital City program, working to understand how digital transformation impacts city life. His current focus is on the “Citiverse,” a human-centered approach to integrating digital elements into urban ecosystems.
A New Vision for Urban Development
For centuries, cities have been defined by their physical and social structures, where communities interact within a built environment. However, as digital technology becomes more embedded in daily life, Rotterdam redefines itself as a “social-physical-digital” city. The increasing influence of digital elements such as data, AI, and smart technology means that urban life is no longer confined to the physical world alone.
To conceptualize this transformation, Rotterdam has introduced the idea of the “Citiverse.” This new framework envisions a city where people move seamlessly between physical and digital spaces, a shift already visible in how people engage with their environment.
Social interactions that once took place in public spaces are now often mediated through digital platforms, from neighborhood WhatsApp groups to social media networks. Meanwhile, physical infrastructure is being enhanced with digital layers, such as traffic systems powered by AI and smart waste management solutions.
The Open Urban Platform: A Digital Infrastructure for the City
One of the key pillars of Rotterdam’s digital transformation is the Open Urban Platform, a municipal initiative designed to facilitate the safe and ethical exchange of data. Unlike traditional digital infrastructures controlled by large technology corporations, this platform ensures that governance power remains in the hands of the public. A dedicated governance board oversees its operation, ensuring that all interactions are transparent, secure, and ethically responsible.
By establishing this digital infrastructure, Rotterdam aims to provide a foundation for a smarter city where different urban systems can communicate seamlessly. The platform functions as a “digital highway,” enabling diverse data sources to connect with applications that can benefit businesses, citizens, and municipal services.
How Digital Integration Improves City Services
The practical applications of Rotterdam’s digital city initiatives are already making a significant impact. One example is emergency response, where the municipality facilitated collaboration between BMW and Safety Region Rotterdam-Rijnmond to enhance safety measures.
Modern BMW vehicles collect real-time data, including temperature fluctuations, which can serve as early indicators of potential fire hazards. By getting this information in real time, responders receive timely alerts, allowing them to act more swiftly in critical situations.
Other applications are urban mobility and crisis management. Rotterdam has developed advanced models to predict and manage flooding and detailed traffic simulations that optimize road use. However, these models traditionally functioned in isolation. With the new platform, they are now being integrated, enabling city planners to assess how flooding might impact road traffic in real time.
The city also leverages digital tools to enhance public participation in urban planning. Through an interactive platform, residents can redesign public spaces in a 3D environment, placing trees, benches, and other elements while receiving instant feedback on feasibility constraints such as underground infrastructure or budget limitations.
By incorporating gamification elements, such as budget allocations, citizens gain a clearer understanding of the complexities involved in urban planning while actively contributing to the process.
Overcoming Barriers to Digital Transformation
Despite these advancements, the transition to a digital city has challenges. Many policymakers and institutional leaders remain skeptical about digitalization, often because they lack a deep understanding of its implications. Roland notes that this skepticism is partly driven by a reliance on traditional governance structures, which continue to shape decision-making processes.
However, he emphasizes that digital transformation is inevitable. The question is not whether cities should embrace digitalization, but how they can do so in a way that prioritizes public interest.
One of the biggest concerns in this shift is ensuring that digital solutions are inclusive, rather than creating a divide between tech-savvy individuals and those less comfortable with digital tools.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Data Ownership
While artificial intelligence is often at the center of discussions on digital transformation, Roland argues that the real focus should be on data ownership.
He describes data as the “oil” that fuels digital applications, stressing that European cities need to take greater control over their own data rather than relying on external tech companies. To illustrate this, Rotterdam is currently exploring the development of its own AI model that would function independently of big tech firms, ensuring that data remains under local control.
The Road Ahead: Experimentation and Collaboration
Looking to the future, Rotterdam is embarking on a series of experiments designed to explore the possibilities of a truly integrated digital city. These initiatives include AI-driven projects, digital identity and data wallet solutions, and international collaborations with other cities.
One fascinating development is the city’s upcoming Imagine conference, set to take place in Tampere on May 27–28, 2025. This event will serve as the official international launch of the Open Urban Platform and will feature discussions on digital resilience and public safety.
Ultimately, Roland envisions a city where digital technology enhances—not replaces—the urban experience. The Citiverse concept is built on a “citizens-first” approach, ensuring that digital advancements empower communities rather than simply optimizing systems for efficiency.
As Rotterdam continues to push the boundaries of urban innovation, it sets a powerful example for cities worldwide to embrace a digital future while keeping people at the center of the transformation.
You can connect with Roland on LinkedIn and learn more about Rotterdam’s initiatives at https://www.rotterdam.nl/.
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