NLENFR

Rotterdam Makers District

The Municipality of Rotterdam and the Port of Rotterdam are committed to the redevelopment of part of the city port to create the Rotterdam Makers District: a mixed city port area that combines living, working, manufacturing and learning, and profiles itself as a testing ground for the innovative manufacturing industry. The Rotterdam Makers District is being developed on both sides of the Maas, in the areas of RDM Rotterdam and the Merwe-Vierhavensgebied (M4H Rotterdam).

As owners of the port area, the Municipality of Rotterdam and the Port Authority jointly face the task of making the city port future-proof. An increasing number of cities are focusing once more on the manufacturing economy, stimulated by developments such as 'reshoring', the emergence of new smart technologies, the ambition to create a circular and social economy and by the growing social interest in local craftsmanship. With the launch of Rotterdam Makers District in 2018, the Municipality and the Port of Rotterdam are committed to giving this innovative manufacturing economy a place in the port area. The Makers District brings together large-scale industry, small-scale manufacturing initiatives and educational institutions in the same ecosystem, where innovations for the port and the city are developed in relation to food and water management, the energy transition and the circular economy. In addition, the Municipality and the Port Authority are developing the Makers District into an urban area with housing, urban programmes and facilities. The Makers District will grow to be a mixed area where functions are spatially interwoven. This offers opportunities for the development of new living-working typologies, innovative maker spaces and experiments for new community facilities and knowledge-sharing platforms. Moreover, by connecting with the surrounding neighbourhoods, there is an opportunity to create new employment opportunities in the wider vicinity of the port and to train Rotterdam residents for the jobs of the future. This enables the development of the Makers District to contribute to an economy that adds local value for the city and its inhabitants.

The Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij (Rotterdam Dry Docks) was transformed into a Research, Design & Manufacturing facility that is a collaboration between two schools and the Port Authority. The RDM campus houses educational and research institutions and their partners from the business community and the government. The Merwe-Vierhavens area was once home to one of the largest fruit ports in the world, but it is now gradually being transformed into a new residential and work area. M4H is strategically located, next to a number of vulnerable residential areas such as Delfshaven and Bospolder-Tussendijken, yet in the middle of an economically active port area and also close to the city centre.

address
RDM kade
theme
learning, making industry, energy, circularity
innovative aspects
policy innovation
scale
district, municipality, region


slideshow
Rotterdam Makers District in pictures
The Rotterdam Makers District is a mixed urban port area that combines living, working, making and learning and is dedicated to the innovative manufacturing industry.

City port in transition
articleCity port in transition
"M4H is one of the areas that have been pushed forward in the City Ports programme - a programme set up by Rotterdam City Council and the Port of Rotterdam Authority with the aim of creating special living and working locations in the city harbour area in the coming decades.'


City port in transition


photo: IABR, 2018

RDM Rotterdam and M4H Rotterdam together form the Makers District
articleRDM Rotterdam and M4H Rotterdam together form the Makers District
With the launch of Rotterdam Makers District in 2018, the Municipality and the Port of Rotterdam are making an effort to give the innovative manufacturing economy a place in the port area.


RDM Rotterdam and M4H Rotterdam together form the Makers District


photo: Port of Rotterdam, 2018

World's smartest port in the making
articleWorld's smartest port in the making
"Rotterdam Makers District offers virtual and guided tours for those interested in exploring both neighbourhoods further. The spaces are also used for cultural events, workshops and festivals in an effort to share insights on discoveries within RDM and M4H."


World's smartest port in the making


photo: Kristen Zupancic, 2018

Area development Rotterdam Makers District
videoArea development Rotterdam Makers District
The Makers District brings together large-scale industry, small-scale manufacturing initiatives and educational institutions in the same ecosystem, working on innovations for the port and the city in relation to food and water management, the energy transition and the circular economy.


Area development Rotterdam Makers District

The Makers District brings together large-scale industry, small-scale manufacturing initiatives and educational institutions in the same ecosystem, working on innovations for the port and the city in relation to food and water management, the energy transition and the circular economy.



photo: Port of Rotterdam, 2020

Vision & Strategy Rotterdam Makers District
videoVision & Strategy Rotterdam Makers District
As owners of the port area, the Municipality and the Port of Rotterdam Authority are jointly faced with the task of making the city port future-proof: the transition to a new economy is being put into practice here.


Vision & Strategy Rotterdam Makers District

As owners of the port area, the Municipality and the Port of Rotterdam Authority are jointly faced with the task of making the city port future-proof: the transition to a new economy is being put into practice here.



photo: Rotterdam Makers District, 2018

L'avenir de M4H en devenir
articleL'avenir de M4H en devenir
M4H is strategically located next to a number of vulnerable residential areas, such as Delfshaven and Bospolder-Tussendijken, still in the middle of an economically active port area and yet close to the centre.


L'avenir de M4H en devenir


photo: Delva Landscape Architecture / Urbanism, 2019