AUAS announces City Net Zero technology centre

The Centre of Expertise (CoE) Urban Technology, housed in the Faculty of Technology at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS), today changes its name to City Net Zero. This name reflects the renewed focus of the CoE, which aims to contribute with its research to a circular, climate-neutral and climate-proof Amsterdam Metropolitan Region in 2050. In doing so, City Net Zero strives for zero emissions, zero waste and zero impact from climate change.

The CoE works in coalitions to find solutions to these major social issues. Researchers, students and public and private parties from various disciplines together develop knowledge, innovations and solutions that can be directly applied in practice. 'In recent years, we did this under the name of Urban Technology, or Techniek voor de stad,' says Felia Boerwinkel, CoE programme manager. 'However, today's big challenges require an integrated approach from a wide range of disciplines. That is why, from our home base in the Faculty of Technology , we will also link up with programmes and research from other AUAS faculties in the coming years.'

'This renewed focus with three urgent missions also makes it even clearer what we stand for as a Centre of Expertise,' says Boerwinkel. 'The Amsterdam Metropolitan Region aims to be circular, climate‑neutral and climate-proof by 2050. It is our mission to contribute to this with research and education. This mission is reflected in the new name, City Net Zero.'

Research, education and practice

In working towards a sustainable, future-proof city, the renewed CoE puts the collaboration between research, education and practice at the centre of its focus. 'We encourage innovative, interdisciplinary research arising from a demand for help from practice,' Boerwinkel explains. 'In doing so, we always work together with partners, such as the Municipality of Amsterdam, civil society organisations, large companies and SMEs.'

In addition to the government and companies, students also benefit from the CoE. They for example participate in the CoE’s research for their work placement or graduation projects. Knowledge from research is also incorporated into the programmes of the Faculty of Technology. Moreover, through seminars, publications and other means, the CoE ensures that new knowledge and innovations are disseminated so that they are actually put into practice.

Jakoba Mulder Building is our new home

Besides a new focus and name, the CoE also has a new home, the Jakoba Mulder Building, where the Faculty of Technology has been located since the end of August. From this centrally located building, City Net Zero will seek cooperation with other faculties, encouraging researchers with different expertise and backgrounds to collaborate on diverse issues.

'This cross-pollination is incredibly important for achieving the best solutions,' says faculty dean Esther Ras. ‘We want with City Net Zero to create a community where research, education and public and private partners from all kinds of disciplines come together. The Jakoba Mulder Building can play a key role in this. The faculty is situated at a central location in the city, where partners can easily find each other and where our research is highly visible. The building is located literally at the centre of society, in an environment where many sustainable initiatives are taking place. It is therefore the perfect place to work together towards a circular, climate-neutral and climate-proof Amsterdam.'

The Centre of Expertise City Net Zero will be launched during a grand one-day event at the Jakoba Mulder Building in February 2023. More information about this will follow soon.

This article was first published on 26 October by AUAS.