Let's Gro couldn't have started better. The unexpected result of the US presidential election was the talk of the town. This underlined 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 townspeople, students and schoolchildren from the Netherlands and abroad exchanged ideas about 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 for the future.
urban development
There was a lot of interest in all kinds of new plans. Stadjers contributed ideas about windmills, residential streets, the city center, Brugstraat and Astraat, the city hall and 'the Next City', the future vision for Groningen in 2030. The pink building on the Grote Markt was the pre-announcement of the plans for a large hotel of WestCord and the competition for the corner building Grote Markt/Poelestraat. Friday evening the starting gun sounded for the public survey. Voting is still possible until 20 November via www.hoekpandgrotemarkt.nl.
Business in the future
Prince Constantijn, national ambassador of StartupDelta2020, launched the new master's program for entrepreneurship at the University of Groningen and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences during Let's Gro. He was a guest at 'Founded in Groningen' and underlined the importance of Groningen startups for the Netherlands. 'You have to involve as many people as possible with a positive message. Working together to get something done. You need everyone for that.' Thanks to digital innovation, new connections can be made even faster with the shrinking surrounding area, for example with 5G. Both Ten Boer and Loppersum had their own program this year. All new digital developments were discussed during Jarno Duursma's tech mash-up on Thursday evening. Online security and digital marketing were other frequently visited program components within this theme.
Children, students and schoolchildren
In addition to the pink building, Let's Gro had a central meeting place on the Grote Markt for the first time this year. Stadjers could sit down there at elements 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 was 'Your Future to Tech' on Saturday. Many children played robot football and built drones. From Wednesday to Friday, student teams competed against each other in The Battle of the Schools. In 48 hours they came up with solutions to real business problems. The winner of the jury and audience award was Hanze University of Applied Sciences with an assignment for PlasBossinade Advocaten.
Inclusive city
Groningen is becoming more and more international, but not everyone speaks English. How do we remain a young, vibrant and attractive city and ensure that everyone feels connected? 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 hall