November 13, 2016 · Team HG
Let’s Gro could not have started better. The unexpected result of the American presidential election was the talk of the day. This underscored the need to think together about the city and society of tomorrow.
With over 10,000 visitors and more than 120 events, Let’s Gro – this year for the first time together with The Holland WebWeek Groningen – was a successful festival for the fourth year in a row. For four days, it was the place where Groningen residents, students, and pupils from home and abroad exchanged ideas on various themes: social innovation, entrepreneurship in the future, and important places in the city. Leading speakers such as ice cream giant Ben Cohen, futurologist Farid Tabarki, political analyst Wierd Duk, and Prince Constantijn came to Groningen to share their vision of the future.
There was a great deal of interest in all kinds of new plans. Residents contributed ideas regarding wind turbines, residential streets, the city centre, Brugstraat and Astraat, the city hall, and ‘the Next City’, the future vision for Groningen in 2030. The pink building on the Grote Markt served as a preview of the plans for a large WestCord hotel and the competition for the corner building at Grote Markt/Poelestraat. On Friday evening, the public survey was launched. Voting is open until November 20 via hoekpandgrotemarkt.nl.
Prince Constantijn, national ambassador of StartupDelta2020, launched the new Master’s programme in Entrepreneurship by the University of Groningen (RUG) and Hanze University of Applied Sciences during Let’s Gro. He was a guest at ‘Founded in Groningen’ and underscored the importance of Groningen startups for the Netherlands. ‘Above all, you have to involve as many people as possible with a positive message. Working together to get things done. You need everyone for that.’ Through digital innovation, new connections can be established even faster with the shrinking surrounding countryside, for example with 5G. Both Ten Boer and Loppersum had their own programs this year. During Jarno Duursma’s tech mash-up on Thursday evening, all new digital developments were covered. Online security and digital marketing were other popular program items within this theme.
In addition to the pink building, Let’s Gro had a central meeting place on the Grote Markt for the first time this year. There, Groningen residents could join events such as the talk show Let’s Klets, the conversation with Mayor Peter den Oudsten, and the Virtual Reality Cinema. The highlight in the tent on Saturday was ‘Your Future to Tech’. Many children played robot football and built drones there. From Wednesday through Friday, student teams competed against each other in The Battle of the Schools. In 48 hours, they devised solutions for real-world business problems. The winner of both the jury and the audience award was the Hanze University of Applied Sciences with a commission for PlasBossinade Advocaten.
Groningen is becoming increasingly international, but not everyone speaks English. How do we remain a young, vibrant, and attractive city and ensure that everyone feels included? Hospitality and social innovation were two central themes connecting this issue. What applies to visitors also applies to our residents. Feel at home and welcome in your own city! That is the message of Let’s Gro 2016.
Photographer Rene Keijzer > photo of Farid Tabarki in front of the audience
