During this evening, representatives of a range of cooperative initiatives will come together to discuss the opportunities and challenges of collective action.

What does cooperative urban development require from residents, designers, financiers and public authorities? How can its social and ecological value be made visible? And what can we learn from existing examples in practice?

The Keilekwartier will serve as the setting for an ambitious experiment in collective urban development during Rotterdam Architecture Month 2026. Through the Keilekwartier Area Cooperative, various forms of collaboration—from energy and mobility to food, care and CO₂ management—are being brought together at an urban scale. The central promise is clear: a more collective city is also a more circular, resilient and low-carbon city.

Speakers

• Agnieszka Zajac (Sogent)
• Ishtar Bakhtali (Buitenplaats Brienenoord)
• Jelle Don (De Torteltuin)
• Folkert van Hagen (Keilekwartier Area Cooperative)

The event takes place within the RA Month exhibition The Power of Community, which explores collaboration, shared ownership and new models of development in the search for a more circular city. The discussion will be moderated by Geert Maarse.

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