Save the Date: Next City Seminar | 25–27 September 2025 | Metropolitan Region Rotterdam, The Hague
What defines the Next City? How must the planning profession evolve in times of uncertainty and transition?
Join us from 25–27 September 2025 for the Next City Seminar in the Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague — a unique networking event and professional exchange for international planners.
This three-day seminar, part of a wider series of working visits to key European urban regions, brings together 30–60 international planning professionals. Together, we will reflect on major spatial challenges and explore integrated solutions in housing, mobility, sustainability, socio-economic development, and spatial governance.
Hosted in one of Europe’s most complex and forward-looking regions, the event includes city walks, site visits, expert dialogues, and cycling tours — all designed to foster meaningful connections and in-depth conversations among participants.
A Professional Networking Event
The Next City Seminar offers a rare opportunity to connect with fellow professionals across generations, disciplines, and regions. Meet planners, urban designers, researchers, and decision-makers while exploring current issues and sharing practical insights. Informal dinners and aperitifs are planned throughout to build new professional networks in a relaxed and collegial setting.
Explore Four Cities in Three Days
· The Hague: Introduction to the city’s layered planning context.
· Zoetermeer: Visit the iconic new town developed by ISOCARP’s founding president, Sam van Embden.
· Delft: Dialogue and lunch at the TU Delft Faculty of Architecture, plus reflections on 60 years of ISOCARP.
· Rotterdam: Guided urban walks exploring transformation, resilience, and infrastructure.
· Binckhorst & Scheveningen: 25 km cycling tour and guided visit to Binckhorst and Scheveningen Harbour & Boulevard.
Why Attend?
· Share experiences and learn from peers facing similar urban challenges.
· Contribute ideas ahead of the 61st ISOCARP World Planning Congress (Riyadh, December 2025).
· Celebrate ISOCARP’s 60th anniversary by revisiting the legacy of its first president.
· Enjoy hands-on, location-based learning in one of Europe’s most ambitious planning regions.
Preliminary schedule for Wednesday 24 September
From 18:00 Informal reception and dinner at The Social Hub in The Hague.
Preliminary schedule for Thursday 25 September
08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast at The Social Hub
09.00 – 09.15 Words of welcome ISOCARP (Martin Dubbeling) and City of The Hague (Richard Koek).
09.15 – 10.00 Introduction to The Hague (Richard Koek).
10:00 – 12:30 Guided city walk in The Hague, starting at The Social Hub (Richard Koek).
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch at City Hall of The Hague.
13:30 – 14:00 Public transport to Zoetermeer, new town designed by Sam van Embden in 1962
14:30 – 15:00 Introduction to Zoetermeer (Willem Hermans).
15:15 – 17:00 Guided city walk in Zoetermeer (Willem Hermans)
17.00 – 18.00 Return to The Social Hub in The Hague.
18:00 – 20:00 Networking dinner at The Social Hub in The Hague.
Preliminary schedule for Friday 26 September
08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast at The Social Hub
09.00 – 10:00 Public transport to Delft, visiting Delft Railway Station
10:00 – 10.15 Words of welcome ISOCARP and Faculty of Architecture, TU Delft
10:15 – 10:45 Introduction on the life and work of prof.Sam van Embden (Joosje van Geest)
10:45 – 11:30 Reflections on 60 years of ISOCARP (Martin Dubbeling & Peter Jonquière)
11:30 – 12:00 Planning of Delft in the Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch and tour of Faculty of Architecture, TU Delft
14:00 – 14:30 Public transport to Rotterdam
14.30 – 17:00 Guided city walk in Rotterdam in the footsteps of Sam van Embden (Jeroen Bleijs)
17.00 – 18.00 Aperitifs & informal talks
18:00 – 20:00 Dinner in Rotterdam. 20:00 – 21:00 Return to The Social Hub
Preliminary schedule for Saturday 27 September
08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast at The Social Hub
09.00 – 12:00 Cycling tour (10 km, bikes and e-bikes) guided visit Binckhorst
Binckhorst is becoming a modern, creative, and innovative urban district where people live and work. It is an area home to creative entrepreneurs, people with new ideas, and traditional businesses. Since 2016, the industrial estate of Binckhorst has been gradually transformed into a green and water-rich district, attractive for both working and living. For many decades, Binckhorst was a large mixed industrial zone with three inner harbours. The district is favourably located, close to the city centre, the highway, and the railway.
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch at Binckhorst
13:00 – 15:00 Cycling tour (10 km, bikes and e-bikes) visiting Scheveningen Harbour and Boulevard
Scheveningen harbour is undergoing a large-scale redevelopment. Priority is being given to the fishing fleet, harbour-related services and offshore support, water sports and new developments in shipping and water management. There is greater cooperation among companies, government agencies and knowledge institutes focused on the coast and sea.
The Scheveningen Boulevard offers a unique combination of recreation and protection against the sea. On the one hand, it is a lively place to stroll with numerous attractions, cozy eateries and shops, year-round festivals, cultural events, markets, children’s activities, and concerts. On the other hand, the Scheveningen boulevard is an important link in the Dutch coastal defence.
The new Scheveningen boulevard is a design by the Spanish architect and urban planner Manuel de Solà-Morales. His approach centres on a wide pedestrian promenade connecting the seaside resort, the fishing village, and the harbour. The curves of the dune landscape, the bends in the coastline, the vastness of the sea, and the connection to the fishing village, a gently undulating design were the inspirations for the elegant appearance of the Scheveningen Boulevard.
15.00 – 16:00 Cycling tour (10 km, bikes and e-bikes) back to The Social Hub.
Practicalities
The Next City Seminar in the Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague will last for three days and commence at The Social Hub (www.thesocialhub.co/the-hague/) near The Hague Hollands Spoor Railway Station, which has direct connections to Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam. We can accommodate up to 30 registrations. Transport arrangements during the visit will include walking, public transport, and e-bicycles.
Venue & Basecamp
The Social Hub, The Hague — just minutes from Hollands Spoor Station, with direct links to Schiphol and Rotterdam.
Registration Fee
· €50/day or €100/full
· Fees include lunches, coffee and site visits. Travel, accommodation, and informal dinners are at participants’ own cost.
To register or express interest, contact:
Martin Dubbeling
📧 martindubbeling@gmail.com
📞 +31 653 238 203
Let’s explore what makes the Next City — and build lasting professional connections along the way. Save the date: 25–27 September 2025 | The Hague Region, Netherlands
Get in touch with:
Martin Dubbeling
martindubbeling@gmail.com
+31 653 238 203