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Police are "strongly suspecting" that the blaze may have been deliberately set, according to Reformatorisch dagblad. and caused extensive damage to the gym located on Ambachtsweg but the gym itself suffered significant destruction The gym is situated within a business complex Other businesses in the building experienced smoke damage though the fire department confirmed that the rest of the structure remained mostly intact Authorities are closely investigating the possibility of arson and are treating it as a serious line of inquiry Explore a first-hand account of what it’s like to travel around one of the best cities for biking in the world Featured Image: Inside Utrecht's Central Station Bike Garage In his role as international relations manager for the Dutch Cycling Embassy Chris Bruntlett spends a lot of time talking about best practices for implementing biking infrastructure Bruntlett says that a lot of his dialogue with peers on the front lines of urban renewal in cities such as Miami and Austin centers on the word “accessibility.” For Bruntlett they really should be thinking from the very start about how to improve the accessibility of the station.” Part of that equation relates to the number of people able to walk to stations and stops within a half-mile to a mile radius “If you can cycle or take a scooter to the station then we're suddenly talking about a four or five kilometer (2-3 mile) catchment area — that's 30 times more passengers that can access that one station,” Bruntlett says Bruntlett points out that the payback for improving bike access to these stations is a competitive edge that you give to your public transportation system “you have to design your (biking) network to feed into your public transport facility which is the strategy that's done here (in the Netherlands) you need to have a rental bike or a shared bike on the other end of your journey for the last-mile solution.” Where Big Sweeping (Biking) Gestures Take Place the Dutch Cycling Embassy’s website boldly declares that the Netherlands is “the world’s number one cycling country.” Building on the country’s experience of creating and constantly improving biking infrastructure since the 70s the Embassy has a declared mandate to “facilitate cycling worldwide as the most modern So it comes with high praise that the city of Utrecht readily comes to mind when you ask Bruntlett which Dutch city is a shining example of how to create a unique synergy between public transit and biking. In this year’s PeopleForBikes City Ratings Utrecht boasts an impressive score of 86 out of a possible 100 placing it third overall out of 170 large cities worldwide which is why you know it’s one of the best examples in the Netherlands if not the world like the biggest bike parking (garage) in the world and the school with the cycle path on the roof,” says Bruntlett “But (Utrecht) also does the little details well,” he says including the creation of neighborhood bike parking facilities which are strategically dispersed throughout the city center in tandem with the massive central station garage underpin the Dutch planning mindset that every bike ride should begin and end with a place to park your bike My most recent Utrecht bike tour in June of this year began just outside the massive three-story bike parking garage at Central Station the largest facility of its kind in the world the total bike parking capacity tops out at around 30,000 spots when you factor in adjacent garages Numbers which help explain the constant beehive activity of bikes constantly entering and exiting the garage My guide Ronald Tamse is not just a guide but also a traffic engineer and urban planner with the City of Utrecht As we watch bikes shuttle back and forth at street level he shares with me how this section of the garage has purposely been left open so that people can either stop and park or keep going if they’re en route to another destination basement level connects directly with the train station enabling you to park your bike and quickly access the platforms Before the main bike parking garage was built the area surrounding the train station was overwhelmed with parked bikes thanks to a massive investment in bike parking that challenge has been addressed — at least for now “In a couple of years the 30,000 spots won’t be enough,” Tamse says due to the ever increasing number of people using bicycles as a means of transportation within the city So much so that there is a growing consensus to no longer keep expanding bike parking at the station but to decentralize the city’s infrastructure dedicated to this task Tamse says adding more spots around the train station isn’t any different than the challenges posed by expanding roads to accommodate more cars if we keep adding more bike parking at the station it will just fill up,” he says “The (bike) routes going to the train station are already at the maximum of what they can handle.” the answer is smaller (by Dutch standards) parking garages with capacities ranging from 200 to 2,000 strategically located throughout the city adjacent to transit stops Accentuating the rising demand for safe bike storage “More and more people are investing in expensive bikes and e-bikes so we need more guarded parking areas,” he says opposed to parking in outdoor spots more susceptible to theft Turning our attention back to the central bike garage I discover that the reason cyclists are able to enter and exit so quickly is the bike paths run not just in and out but throughout the facility with gently sloping ramps that enable you to access each level while still riding optical sensors are used — much like the technology in some car parking garages — to inform patrons of vacant parking spots and guide them to the actual location via a digital wayfinding system The footprint of this massive facility is about 184,000 square feet, equivalent to Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center in scale. A critical design component that essentially doubles the bike capacity of this space is a two-tier parking system known as 2ParkUp featuring gas-assisted lifts and protective sleeves to prevent frame damage we cross over one of the city’s many canals So many that it is sometimes hard to distinguish one from another What makes the Catharijnesingel canal so unique is that it was once covered  by a 12-lane motorway A period when not unlike most North American cities Utrecht’s priorities were focused on making it easier for cars to get in and out of the city “it was an urban planning mistake,” says Tamse which 40 years later was rectified by daylighting the 900-year old moat so that today it has been returned to its natural setting with an abundance of greenspace Yet there is still enough room to accommodate walking and bike lanes on both sides of the canal; and while currently two car lanes remain “they will be blocked by the end of this year,” adds Tamse The 360 degree transformation back to a canal is especially remarkable considering that it leads directly to the city’s main shopping center Most North American retailers might shake their heads at the notion of making it more difficult to access the shopping center based on the all-too-common perception of retail owners that those arriving by automobile will spend more money “You can take a look at someone who goes by car and as a shop owner point to the trunk of that person's car and say he bought a lot of stuff.’ But that person is only coming once a week — going by bike or by foot you're willing to go much more often and absolutely spend more money,” says Tamse serving as a visual reminder for drivers and pedestrians that this is the public domain of cyclists only Nowhere is this more readily apparent than on the Tolsteegsingel and Maliesingel Streets As we ride on the one bike path heading out of town there is an equally steady flow of cyclists on the opposite side of the street this road was completely dominated by cars in the 70s as the Dutch biking culture began to kick in one cycling lane was added that was approximately 1.5 meters (3.2 feet) wide — only enough to accommodate a single person on their bike Fast forward to today and each lane is now approximately 2 meters wide enabling cyclists to bike side-by-side making it easier and safer for friends or family members to navigate the streets together “And the single car lane is bi-directional,” Tamse points out All of which makes for an interesting dynamic because the single road forces car drivers who choose to travel on this inconvenient stretch in the first place to slow down especially when another vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction because as everyone on the road knows the safety of the cyclists is what comes first Yet another consideration that has gone into the makeup of this road is that while the red cycle paths have been built using a smooth asphalt surface This difference in materials is intentional The smooth bike lane contributes to “comfort for cycling,” Tamse says.“We know by nationwide research The last part of our journey takes us to a Zusterpark a linear park on the edge of the downtown core There are no cars to be seen along this stretch only cyclists heading in and out of town on the designated bike path Perpendicular to this stretch is another bike lane and a dedicated bike tunnel (beneath a road overpass) out of which the occasional cyclist emerges “This is a former railway line on the east side of the downtown area which used to be a barrier between two neighborhoods,” Tamse explains The main railway is on the west side and when this particular stretch was no longer in use is that it is also extremely bike friendly Having grown up in Utrecht and witnessed its transformation from a car-centric city to one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world Tamse says his hometown’s dramatic transformation has come about by a lot of small changes made over decades Changes ranging from prioritizing road infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians to implementing paid car parking (to disincentivize drivers) and creating safe bicycle routes so people are more willing to cycle There is a cultural factor that comes into play as well kids are encouraged to get on their bikes with parents riding along “Parents bring their kids to elementary school by bike and then they can cycle on to their office or wherever your job is So your kid learns to cycle quickly and (as a result) can cycle on their own to elementary school BOSTON, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Volta Labs one of the largest public healthcare institutions in the Netherlands today announced the adoption and deployment of the Callisto™ Sample Prep System at UMC Utrecht This partnership will enable UMC Utrecht to streamline its workflow for providing Whole Genome Sequencing-based tests advancing its capabilities to respond to a rapid increase of genetic testing "In our shift from whole exome sequencing (WES) to whole genome sequencing (WGS) we quickly realized the large technological gap we needed to bridge to process thousands of samples annually with both speed and precision," said Marcel Nelen It allows our clinical technicians to simply load 24 DNA samples and produce clinical-grade sequencing-ready libraries seamlessly in <3 hours library preparation on Callisto is robust and significantly reduces our cost of sequencing we are also well-positioned to transition seamlessly between workflows and across sequencing technologies as the Callisto is platform agnostic." "It's both a privilege and an honor to partner with UMC Utrecht a leading clinical genomics institution," said Udayan Umapathi "Precision temperature control and liquid manipulation on the Callisto Sample Prep System enable the generation of the highest-quality libraries for Illumina sequencing The system delivers libraries with highly consistent fragment lengths and insert sizes significantly reducing batch-to-batch and technician-to-technician variability We are excited about the potential to reduce sequencing costs by allowing UMC Utrecht to load more samples per flow cell a benefit made possible by low duplication rates and uniform read length distribution achieved through Callisto's exceptional library preparation consistency We are thrilled to see Callisto adopted in a clinical setting where it delivers clinical-grade whole genomes with unmatched quality UMC Utrecht is scheduled to present the results from their initial runs with the Callisto™ Sample Prep System at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) 2025 General Meeting Volta Labs announced its first commercial shipments of the Callisto™ Sample Prep System in August 2024 with several instruments now placed across North America and Europe Following the highly successful collaboration and deployment at UMC Utrecht Volta Labs is poised to deepen its presence in the clinical market combined with its versatile applications—including DNA extractions and highly reliable hybrid capture workflows—makes it an ideal solution for both small- and large-scale clinical diagnostic and translational labs With its user-friendly interface and robust performance the Callisto system is set to drive innovation and efficiency in clinical genomics About Volta LabsVolta Labs is a genomics applications company that has developed a cutting-edge digital fluidics platform to maximize performance and scalability of sample preparation in genomics while providing unparalleled consistency Volta is transforming the way biological research and analyses are performed allowing scientists to focus on what they do best -- pushing the boundaries of biology About UMC UtrechtUMC Utrecht is one of the largest public health care institutions in the Netherlands and is a leading international university medical center generating and health care for the benefit of patients and society Kim MillerVolta Labs[email protected] today announced the launch of the Volta Access Program a new initiative aimed at increasing access to its Callisto™ Sample Prep.. today announced its four strategic focus areas for 2025 and the expansion of the Callisto App.. Health Care & Hospitals Medical Pharmaceuticals Computer & Electronics Biotechnology Do not sell or share my personal information: As Jason Slaughter of Not Just Bikes shows Utrecht is a city highly oriented around pedestrian Canada’s London is highly car-oriented scarred by suburbanization and fairly low density outside its small city core streetcar cities and both later adopted futures oriented around cars with Utrecht even filling in a canal in the city center for a major highway and displacing city blocks for a suburban shopping mall nearby The cities were following similar suburbanization patterns but Utrecht (like many Dutch cities) chose to go a completely different direction starting in the 1990s the two cities couldn’t be more different Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable He is especially interested in how policies and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014 The Urbanist hosts social hour meetups every month. In April, we’re hosting four social events and kicking off our urbanism-themed walking tours starting in Kirkland on April 26 we’ll be hosting a booth at the opening celebration at Downtown Redmond Station Check our urbanist events calendar to see everything happening this month, including events hosted by partner organizations. You can submit your event for inclusion Discovery confirms crucial role of Lower German Limes in Roman conquest of Britannia Rijksmuseum van Oudheden—In the autumn of 2023 404 silver and gold coins dating back to the start of the Common Era were found in the Dutch municipality of Bunnik The find contains a unique combination of Roman and British coins buried in the northern border region of the Roman Empire (the Lower German Limes) this frontier ran right through what is now the Netherlands A Roman-British coin hoard of this kind has never been discovered in mainland Europe before The most recent of the Roman coins were struck in the years 46-47 It was during this period that Roman troops crossed the North Sea to conquer the land they called ‘Britannia’ Forty-four of the gold coins come from what we now call Britain and bear the inscription of the British king Cunobelin The coins were probably brought to Bunnik after the initial conquests by Roman soldiers returning from Britannia: the Roman coins were their pay while the British coins were the spoils of war The coins have been acquired by the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities) and now form part of its permanent exhibition The Netherlands in Roman Times The discovery of these coins highlights the importance of the Lower German Limes for the Roman invasions of Britannia Not only was this frontier the site for preparations for the first crossing in the year 43 CE but it also transpires that Roman troops returned to the mainland via the limes bringing all kinds of possessions back with them This collection of coins is the largest such find from the Roman period ever made in the Province of Utrecht it is the first in mainland Europe to contain a mix of Roman and British coins Only in Britain has a similar hoard been discovered The Utrecht find was discovered in the region of the Roman frontier but outside the major known Roman sites such as the fort Traiectum (Utrecht) and Ulpia Noviomagus (Nijmegen) They were probably buried in or shortly after 47 CE They may have been hidden with the idea of digging them up at a later date perhaps to thank the gods for a safe return from battle Gold coins from Britain are called staters They were struck between about 5 and 43 CE during and shortly after the reign of the British king Cunobelin Cunobelin’s name appears in Latin on the coins: CVNO[BELINVS] The Roman coins bear portraits of Roman rulers and emperors around the end of the first Roman conquests in Britain A total of 72 gold Roman coins known as aurei (singular: aureus) were found Two of the gold coins were struck using the same stamp and appear to be unused: they show no signs of wear The owner apparently received them from a stock of newly minted coins These denarii (singular: denarius) were struck between 200 BCE and 47 BC such as coins from the time of Julius Caesar and one coin featuring Juba the king of Numidia in northwest Africa (present-day Algeria) The coins were discovered by detectorists Gert-Jan Messelaar and Reinier Koelink After the find was formally reported to Landscape Heritage Utrecht’s Archaeology Hotline archaeologist Anton Cruysheer examined the coins They were then entered into the Portable Antiquities of the Netherlands (PAN) database and professionally cleaned by Restaura To gain a fuller understanding of the area around the find site and why the coins were buried there the National Cultural Heritage Agency conducted an excavation 381 of what turned out to be a hoard of 404 coins has since been acquired by the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden/National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden With this the coins became part of the Netherlands’ National Archaeology Collection and available for research They can now be viewed in the museum’s permanent exhibition The Netherlands in Roman Times The purchase was co-funded by lottery company VriendenLoterij Part of the complete Roman coin find from Bunnik Photo and collection © National Museum of Antiquities Aureus with Emperor Claudius – obverse | Struck during the reign of Emperor Claudius from 44 AD.Photo and collection © National Museum of Antiquities Coin of King Juba the First – obverse | Ruler of Numidia (North Africa Stater of King Cunobelinus – obverse | Gold before and after cleaning | Roman aureus (gold) minted during the time of Emperor Claudius Photo and collection © Restoration studio Restaura Field research RCE | Tessa de Groot (middle) and the finders of the Bunnik coin hoard Reinier Koelink (left) and Gert-Jan Messelaar (right) during the RCE excavation near the find location Photo and collection © Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands Article Source: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden news release Subscribe to Popular Archaeology Premium Still the industry's best value at only $9.00 annually Subscribe to Popular Archaeology Premium Still the industry’s best value at only $9.00 annually Industry and market insights and forecasts Key figures and rankings 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consultancy services and solutions from the initial concept phase right up to the delivery of our client’s programmes.​ Our capabilities span the entire value chain - from policy right up to the delivery of client programmes.  insights and thought leadership articles demonstrating our expertise across our core practices.  We are firmly committed to reducing our environmental impact whilst allowing companies to thrive Information and tools including share price data Ricardo’s rolling stock testing team helped the city of Utrecht upgrade a key tram route that serves the city’s busy mainline station The Nieuwegein/IJsselstein Fast Tram ('SUNIJ-lijn') route first opened in 1983 with a fleet of single-articulated As the original vehicles approached life-expiry the city opted to replace them with a lighter low-floor vehicle as part of a wider refurbishment of the route’s infrastructure BAM Infra Rail was contracted to oversee the main infrastructure works including track replacement and the renovation of the tram stops to accommodate the new low-floor vehicles to be supplied by Spanish manufacturer Having successfully worked on the testing programme for the Uithoflijn a nine-stop tram line in the city that opened in 2019 Ricardo was again appointed to assist BAM in meeting its contractual duties with regard to system integration testing with a focus on the vehicle-track interface Ricardo and BAM’s technical teams began preparations more than a year in advance working together to define the final programme of tests that would be required to satisfy BAM’s safety and contractual requirements The resulting plan included over 100 separate tests In the period leading up to the physical testing Ricardo’s test leader kept in close contact with the various technical disciplines to ensure all starting conditions would be met and that stakeholders were aware of the schedule and had the most relevant safety instructions Once the main infrastructure works were completed in summer 2020 the overnight testing phase could commence on the new tracks to be conducted under strictly controlled protocols The programme opened with a route clearance verification test where the vehicle was guided at almost walking pace through the full cycle of the route with polystyrene foam affixed to critical locations on the tram Once it was confirmed that the vehicles kept a safe distance from safety barriers platforms and other trackside apparatus throughout the entire route the speed was gradually increased for subsequent test runs to assess driver sightlines or the vehicle’s interaction with track points a Ricardo Safety Leader was present at all times to act as a second ‘pair of eyes’ for the tram driver and to maintain contact with both the traffic controllers and the onboard Test Leader Despite the necessary social distancing measures required due to COVID-19 the entire test programme was successfully completed so that the application to enter the new infrastructure into service could proceed The introduction of the low-floor CAF vehicles in December 2020 means the SUNIJ fleet is compatible with those that serve the Uithoflijn which also operates from Utrecht Central Station and extends out to the Science Parc This means that as well as providing passengers on the SUNIJ-lijn with more comfortable and accessible vehicles the operator of Utrecht’s tram can expect to gain long-term operations and maintenance efficiencies now that both lines use the same vehicle model Team up with professors on cutting-edge research Fearlessly pursue excellence on the field and the court; in the gym and the crowd Our vibrant community embraces your curiosity and supports you as you grow into the life that God wants for you Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies (Meeter Center) will receive an honorary doctorate from the Theological University of Utrecht Maag will become the first woman to receive this honor from this Dutch school Previous recipients of this honor have included Dr “I was stunned,” said Maag upon opening an email earlier in the year from the rector of the institution “You don’t put your name forward for these things the contributions she’s made to her field over the past three decades have been significant After receiving her PhD from the University of St where she also taught and worked as a research fellow she’s spent the next quarter century teaching at Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary and fulfilling her primary role of directing the Meeter Center and worship in sixteenth-century Geneva and French church history Maag credits the international reputation of the center that she leads as opening the door for this honor “This honorary doctorate is to mark my contributions to the field of Calvin studies over my lifetime so far but it also says something about the international reputation and importance of the Meeter Center I don’t know if they’d be considering me for this honorary doctorate if I was just a professor of Reformation history but it’s because I’m a professor of Reformation history and the director of the Meeter Center.”  Maag says the Meeter Center has been this nexus point for contacts with scholars around the world She says that for over 40 years since it opened its doors in 1982 the Center has been nurturing and facilitating research and scholarship in Reformation studies bringing people together around the field of Reformation studies Maag’s desire to bring people together stems from her own fascination with the past “I’ve been interested in the Reformation since my early graduate school because it’s a time where there’s a lot of turmoil people are going in different directions,” said Maag “What I find fascinating is to see how everyone from leading reformers but also all the way down to ordinary people were deeply invested in trying to understand what is it that God wants of us in terms of living faithful Christian lives And they come up with different answers and what I’m fascinated in is the interplay between the high-level doctrinal reflection and ordinary people’s lives.” While Maag’s headspace often is in the past she’s very attuned to how what happened “back then” is absolutely relevant to what’s happening today they date back to the Reformation era,” said Maag “The 16th-century comes up with different answers but they’re dealing with the same kinds of problems If I say there is this truth and you don’t believe that same truth Is there a way we can coexist in the public space especially?”  Maag says these were burning questions in the 16th century and I’m just interested in old stuff,'” said Maag “Because what the problems were and the conversations that took place and the issues people wrestled with are the same kinds of issues we are wrestling with today.” While Maag is more than a quarter century into this work every day she walks onto the Calvin campus ready to discover new insights and convene important conversations She says the source of her ongoing excitement … a deeply rooted calling  “One of the things we value at Calvin University is what we call vocation or calling: what are we called to What I’ve always appreciated with my work at Calvin and my work with my colleagues is that I have found colleagues across the board to have a strong sense of calling not just professors in their classes with their teaching but folks who work for physical plant and folks who work in the mail room And my sense of calling is integrated into that I feel that I am being asked to serve here in this space and that doing this particular work—the research the connecting to others—it’s not simply that earns my paycheck but this is what God wants me to do in terms of building community Research can be a very solitary activity and sometimes a very competitive activity I have always through my life thought it vital and part of my Christian calling to model a different way to model a way of scholarship which is supportive and I really feel that that is what I’ve been called to do and what I feel I can most contribute to the field and I think that’s also what’s partly being recognized.” The conferral of the honorary doctorate will take place in Utrecht on Friday The other recipient this year is South African theologian Dr Maag has been asked to give a 15-minute talk after the formal ceremony on her recent research: she will speak on pastoral care in Reformation Geneva We are waiting to hear from our Dutch colleagues whether the ceremony will be available on live-stream © 2025 Calvin University. 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Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience smart charging solutions provider We Drive Solar and the Netherlands’ leading car sharing platform MyWheels are teaming up to launch a car-sharing service in the city of Utrecht The vehicles will utilize vehicle-to-grid technology running on clean energy and feeding power back to the grid during high demand periods The Dutch city of Utrecht is set to become the first in Europe to launch a large-scale car-sharing service that utilizes vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology The city has joined forces with French automobile manufacturer Renault Group and We Drive Solar a Dutch-based supplier of smart charging solutions Renault Group will supply 500 of its Renault 5 electric vehicles equipped with V2G bi-directional charging technology that has been developed by Mobilize Renault Group’s brand dedicated to new mobilities The technology will enable users to charge their vehicles with clean energy and feed power back into the grid during high demand helping to reduce electricity costs and stabilize the grids during peak demand We Drive Solar will provide and operate bidirectional public AC charging stations to support the V2G access toolkit while MyWheels the leading car-sharing platform in the Netherlands The agreement marks the first time the V2G technology will be used to benefit public infrastructure According to a news release from We Drive Solar 500 bidirectional cars could provide 10% of the needed flexibility in the Utrecht region to balance solar and wind energy for usage during peak hours Utrecht is already one of the most advanced European cities in renewable energy with over a third (35%) of its rooftops hosting solar panels More articles from Patrick Jowett Please be mindful of our community standards and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" This website uses cookies to anonymously count visitor numbers. View our privacy policy. × The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this Close Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries Utrecht's museums cafes and canals can easily fill a busy weekend – but here's how to experience it in just 24 hours Let me share my perfect day in Utrecht with you whether you're visiting on a quick day trip from Amsterdam or planning a longer stay Bunk is a capsule-room hostel with well-stocked boutique-style rooms and pods. It's located in a former church near Utrecht Centraal, and a one-person pod costs about €42 midweek. A cozier option is the four-star City Center Lodge where rooms range from about €168 per night for two people 10am: Join a walking tour of the Old Town Tours are typically 90 minutes and begin in the cloistered courtyard of St Martin’s Cathedral (it used to be the Netherlands' largest church) before winding along the canals. You'll come across former cellars in grand homes it's so calm it's hard to imagine you're in a big city and you'll often encounter groups of students chatting over coffee and locals reading books by the water Midday: For lunch, try Moksi, a tiny, family-run Surinamese bakery serving curries with rice or roti, or stuffed into broodjes (bread rolls). It's small with just four tables, so if the lunchtime rush squeezes you out, aim for Gys for organic plant-based dishes or Anne&Max for breakfast and brunch classics 1pm: Utrecht is the birthplace of Miffy (or Nijntje as she's known in Dutch), the beloved bunny character created by Dick Bruna. If you're traveling with kids (or just love cute things) you should definitely visit the Miffy Museum in the city center – a playful though adults will appreciate the insight into the local illustrator's legacy For a broader cultural experience, try the Centraal Museum across the street Its collection spans from contemporary Dutch art and architecture to fashion designs by Viktor & Rolf and medieval artifact Or, if you like moseying around other people's homes, head 20 minutes out of the city (on the no. 8 tram) to UNESCO-listed Rietveld-Schröderhuis Designed by Gerrit Rietveld and owner Truus Schröder in 1924 it's one of the only built examples of the De Stijl architecture movement It looks worlds apart from the somber redbrick buildings surrounding it all primary colors and dissolved boundaries But the real treasure is Drogisterij Woortman, the oldest pharmacy in Utrecht—an unexpected find from my Lonely Planet guidebook with wooden shelves and glass display cases stocked with homemade balms 6pm: People in Utrecht love their bars and bistros with outdoor seating so they can sit and people-watch over a beer. There are so many places to do this, like Orloff aan de kade, Cafe Elize and the Rum Club on the canal, but one of my favorites is the outdoor terrace at the Springhaver Theater an art deco-style two-screen cinema and cafe with tables that spill out on to the sidewalk under a canopy of hanging lights and bright green awnings so it's a pleasant spot to chill with a drink.  7pm: For dinner, booh ahead for Madeleine, a French-style bistro and wine bar, for their slow-cooked beef cheeks and Basque black pudding or Don Konousuke for proper Japanese food and great sakes and whiskies.  No reservation? Try De Zwarte Vosch, a former canal house on the Oudergach serving Spanish pintxos like grilled octopus and jamon croquettes, Anan for Vietnamese street food with big 9pm: You could dance the rest of the night away at Stathe, a live music venue and bar or go for something more low-key at ACU, a counterculture and inclusive venue with weekly games nights and a decent selection of drinks and snacks. End your night as locals do with gelato from Roberto Gelato, best enjoyed during a final stroll along the illuminated canals. NetherlandsChevron UtrechtChevron Jack F/GettySave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links This article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK Utrecht—the Netherlands' under-the-radar fourth city that you've probably never heard of—is set to become one of northern Europe's most alluring weekend getaway destinations Largely overlooked by those outside of the country in recent years it's quietly built a reputation as the relaxed city-sibling to Amsterdam that outshines its tourist-flooded neighbor in almost every way and travel aficionados in search of somewhere new are starting to take notice bisected by the beautiful old de Oudegracht canal is the spiritual heart of this compact city and where the thriving energy of Utrecht's canal-side café culture comes to life the old canal in Utrecht is split across different levels dotted with laddered steps at every turn that lead down to coffee shops A steady stream of boats leisurely breeze along the calm canals from day to night while Utrecht's striking Dom Tower casts welcoming dappled shadows onto the historic streets below This sense of spirited serenity is amplified by Utrecht's lush green parks and commitment to keeping road traffic away from its scenic center which has earned a reputation as one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the world The old center is also where many of Utrecht's most enchanting boutique hotels can be found or aristocratic townhouses that still retain their elegant old-world charm but with stylishly contemporary finesse Utrecht has earned its reputation as one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the world The city is equally renowned for its reputation as a center for modern architecture thanks to its close associations with the ‘De Stijl’ art movement Dutch architect-designer Gerrit Rietveld and artist Piet Mondrian pioneered the movement and their legacies are evident throughout the city—most brilliantly at the Rietveld Schröder House and Centraal Museum Utrecht’s most famous design export is Dick Bruna whose playful bunny character pops up in different guises at every corner you turn with an entire museum dedicated to the world of Miffy and Friends This flair for unique aesthetics is echoed by Utrecht’s independent fashion boutiques that specialize in new-wave Dutch women’s and menswear designers while the city's popularity with international students also makes it a destination for collectors of vintage But the city's dining scene truly gives Amsterdam a run for its money having attracted a pioneering new generation of chefs championing local artisan producers and cooking up astonishing seasonal creations that re-imagine Dutch culinary heritage through a contemporary Utrecht lens the city has long had one of the best waterside drinking cultures in The Netherlands and cocktail bars to be discovered that are as discerning with their tasteful pours as they are welcoming and cultivated weekend getaway for those in the know Utrecht is a short 20-minute train ride from Amsterdam’s central station and equally accessible from either Rotterdam or The Hague Utrecht’s eclectic Centraal Museum explores Dutch artistic and cultural heritage from the 17th century to today Housed among the cloisters and courtyards of the Nicolaaskerkhof its collection of over 50,000 objects exhibits paintings from the golden age of Dutch masters and fashion from designers like Viktor & Rolf the museum also houses the 1000-year-old ‘Utrecht Ship’ has a charming organic café set within its gardens and across the road from the main building hosts the Nijntje Museum (Miffy Museum) dedicated to graphic designer Dick Bruno’s iconic children’s character Designed in 1924 by Utrecht-based architect Gerrit Rietveld, the Rietveld Schröder House is a striking UNESCO World Heritage building personifies the contemporary De Stijl art movement The building is a 3D expression of Piet Mondrian’s abstract geometric paintings blending inside/outside spaces through intersecting horizontal/vertical lines with pops of primary colors dotted throughout The house is furnished with Rietveld’s most famous works—his Red and Blue Chair and Zigzag Chair—emphasizing simple as it takes 15 to 20 minutes from the centre of Utrecht through the lovely greenery of Wilhelmina Park Dom Tower Church and Pandhof Sinte Marie Gardens The spire of Dom Toren in the historic center of Utrecht stands at 367 feet tall towering over every other church in the Netherlands The recently restored tower dates back to the 1300s and houses 64 daily bells heard throughout the city Guided tours take you up the 465 steps to the top A short walk over to the other side of the Oudegracht is the 11th-century St Marie’s church whose open courtyard garden is a green hideaway filled with flowers Explore Utrecht’s unique fashion boutiques and independent shops a new generation of chefs are championing local artisan producers and cooking up seasonal creations that re-imagine Dutch culinary heritage focuses on classic French bistro fare with contemporary flourishes Sea Salt Saloon serves fresh local seafood like langoustines baked in tarragon sauce and whole panfried sea bass in lemon butter; its lively outdoor seating are is perfect for taking in the atmosphere of this exciting city Situated in one of the more serene parts of the de Oudegracht canal, Restaurant 273 is the vision of local chef-patron Tommy den Hartog This fine-dining restaurant takes flavor inspiration from around the world and transforms it into a tasting menu of dishes executed with artistic grace Expect tournedos of beef augmented with sambal and girolles; bowls of ceviche doused in raspy tiger milk and papaya; and margarita-inspired cocktails served as spherical oyster pearls The first thing that will hit you upon entering the restaurant Ruby Rose is the explosion of florals that adorn every floor Its menu of Mediterranean-leaning dishes is designed for sharing with tapas-style small plates like jamon and cheeses with fig bread and playful desserts like their crème catalan with cherry and basil ice cream Located a little out of the centre on Biltstraat, Concours by chef Alex Zeelenberg is one of the most discerning culinary hotspots in the city Its carefully crafted dishes follow the seasons taking inspiration from nature and local artisan suppliers with climate consciousness at its heart The changing menu is kept secret right up until the point of service with inventive creations including dishes like red mullet with blueberry vinegar brown butter and cherry; entrecote with salsify and harissa; and rhubarb with yoghurt and ruby chocolate making for a more relaxed and leisurely atmosphere to enjoy a drink than the more crowded spots They specialize in international craft beers including jenever ‘Dutch gin’—juniper-flavored spirit produced in the Netherlands This exquisite wine bar is attached to Hemel & Aarde restaurant in The Nox Hotel boasting a selection of sommelier-picked wines worldwide taking in classic regions and smaller undiscovered growers including a host of speciality Champagnes like Jacquesson Its stylish interiors are adorned with artworks by artist Eirik Jahnsen and the inventive bar snacks include local charcuterie One of the most popular spots in Utrecht, Graaf Floris is located in the bustling Vismarkt on de Oudegracht along with their speciality Dutch bar snacks including local cheese croquettes Graaf Floris is also famous for its warm apple dumpling a whole apple encased in crispy dough with caramel liquor which also comes in cocktail form as an apple dumpling spritz Located on the opposite side of the road from its fine-dining sister restaurant, Concour this cosy spot is a great place for an evening drink The menu has over 70 still and sparkling wines to discover They also host a calendar of wine tasting masterclasses and live music on Sundays live music and drag shows to really get your weekend started The 23 uniquely designed rooms at Mother Goose Hotels blend historic character with cozy finishes Nestled in a corner of the atmospheric Ganzenmarkt Mother Goose is one of Utrecht's most enchanting boutique hotels housed in a former city castle just seconds from the Vecht canal Its 23 uniquely designed rooms and suites blend historic character with cozy contemporary finishes; the rooms on the top floors boast fantastic views of the city The hotel operates with sustainable values and planetary consciousness at its heart and a wellness spa all housed within its grounds a stone’s throw from Utrecht Centraal Station it offers a mix of contemporary compact rooms or sleeping pods with a stylish penthouse situated at the church's uppermost ridge Bunk is one of the city's buzziest and most happening drinking spots this stylish and elegant 14-room boutique hotel is filled with antique charm its spacious rooms each have a unique color scheme in shades of red kitted out with plush bedding and eco-friendly products Optional luxury breakfasts are delivered in picnic baskets This luxury boutique hotel in the city center is perfect for a romantic getaway The 17th-century building has been transformed into a contemporary hideaway with comfortable modern rooms and suites equipped with luxe fittings and products Breakfast is served in its majestic Hemel & Aarde restaurant and its honeymoon suite comes with its own private rooftop terrace Want to be the first to know? Sign up to our newsletters for travel inspiration and tips A Guide to Korčula, Croatia Why Everyone Will Be Going to Osaka in 2025 A London Local’s Melting-Pot Itinerary for Food This New Eco-Cruise Through the Galápagos Takes Passengers On a Safari at Sea up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world The fourth-largest city in the Netherlands increasingly faces challenges due to rapid population growth It’s projected to welcome more than 100,000 new inhabitants by 2040 Alongside the need for housing is a growing demand for green spaces presenting a common problem for municipalities of moderate size A new project prioritising greenery and community spaces hopes to change Utrecht’s landscape and spark discussions on the future of urban design “Transforming Car Parking Spaces: A Pop-Up Public Space Project” aims to create temporary pop-up elements in public spaces (specifically car parking spaces) to promote a more community-centric approach to urban design Car spaces will be temporarily repurposed into bike parking zones green spaces and areas for residents to meet This is one of five projects selected for the Sustainable Cities Mobility Challenge a programme coordinated by Climate KIC and funded for the second year through the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) America via a grant from FedEx the car has long been an overly dominant feature of the landscape we want to create more community-oriented environments which is why it’s essential to reconsider the use of public space,” says Els ten Hulscher A parking space repurposed for communal seating in Utrecht The project is aligned with Utrecht’s Spatial Strategy 2040 – where sustainability is at the heart of urban planning decisions – and the city’s Green Leap initiative which aims to prioritise greening various locations throughout Utrecht “We want to enhance 200 hectares with more green space by 2040 We are also in the process of annually transforming around 1 per cent of parking spaces in residential streets into spaces for greenery through consultations with residents,” says Els ten Hulscher public spaces and facilities are available and accessible to everyone Utrecht residents feel connected to each other The entire city is becoming greener and healthier and there will continue to be quiet places in the city we ensure that we preserve the character of the city in all developments.” The temporary nature of these pop-ups is important particularly when the addition of greenery and bicycle parking comes at the expense of car parking spaces It is essential to manage their requests effectively and build more consensus Pop-up elements can help change people’s minds regarding a different design and use of public space.” Utrecht City Council hopes the project will encourage the use of more active enable more meaningful community interactions and demonstrate the potential for long-lasting changes in urban planning to reclaim spaces for people and nature “Greening spaces and promoting shared mobility fits into Utrecht’s goals in many ways – for example more green areas will lead to less heat stress improved biodiversity and enhanced quality of life We need to think differently about how we landscape our city and we’d like to create a scalable model that can be replicated in other urban settings – in the Netherlands and beyond,” says Els ten Hulscher Climate KIC is committed to helping transform over 400 cities into thriving Our collaboration with FedEx shows what is possible when corporations city officials and residents come together to unite for a common purpose The success of the Challenge demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in reimagining urban mobility To learn more about the other participating cities Read On Web design TWK Utrecht de Pan is one of the best golf courses in Europe “All players whose interest in the game extends beyond an unending and unequal contest with ‘par’ have at one time or another conjured a vision of their ideal inland course A course that shall incorporate all the fine features of a links but with the light and shade where an erring short will not be lost… De Pan had every one of these rare qualities; indeed I hesitated to use those words by Guy Campbell because having read it what follows now will indubitably seem disappointingly inferior in comparison But I included them because the words of the man who designed Royal Cinque Ports and West Sussex, sum up De Pan so beautifully and accurately. It has what all my favourite courses possess in abundance; charm, atmosphere and class. It has just the right amount of forgiveness and just the right amount of quirk, hence why it rates so highly in our Golf World Top 100 Courses in Continental Europe It’s far from a short course where visitors can expect to comfortably play to their handicap De Pan is all about inspiration not perspiration Harry Colt was less eccentric than Tom Simpson – who has the best (Morfontaine) and third best (Fontainebleau) golf courses in our continental Europe list – but he knew how to make a landscape come alive to test and tease the golfer with effortlessly entertaining holes RELATED: Is Morfontaine better than England’s star heathlands? There are many examples of Colt’s brilliance in Britain and Ireland, some of which are possibly better than De Pan, but as you walk around the side of its characterful, alluring clubhouse and survey the 1st and 18th holes, you’d rather be precisely nowhere else. Even a member at the most revered of the Surrey or Berkshire heathlands, which headline our Top 100 Courses in England ranking would feel a tingle of excitement at the scene before their delighted eyes The names of De Pan’s opening two holes give an accurate enticing description of what you can expect here: the 1st is called ‘Zandverstuiving’ which translates to English as sand drift; and the 2nd is named ‘Pijpestrootje’ – which is purple moor grass heather and pines – Colt will not have needed much encouragement to start work on this site in 1928 He began with nine holes and routed them so masterfully over terrain that is unusually hilly for the Netherlands due to Ice Age residues that left a sandy ridge on which a second nine was soon added the revered renovator of Colt work and a member at De Pan because the De Pan experience is a gloriously tranquil one; only the rustle of deer foxes and rabbits disturbing the leaf and pine-needle floor are heard as you play here My favourite holes would be the 6th and especially the 10th The former has a blind drive and a blind approach and even if you don’t especially like blind shots I’m certain you can’t dislike it There are actually four holes at De Pan with a blind shot of some sort The 10th is a sporty two-shotter of barely 370 yards – yet even off the elevated backs you’ll take a long iron or fairway wood because of the bottleneck that appears down the undulating fairway that runs between pine and heather-strewn hills which create a glorious heathland scene The bottleneck means you may well not have a view of the flag for your mid-iron approach I find it impossible to believe anyone would not be entertained by this hole as it’s not the original routing and has been further altered by tree growth – but they are a minor lowering of quality I simply could not agree more with Guy Campbell… he simply expressed his affection for this heathland utopia more eloquently than I RELATED: What are the best golf resorts in Europe? Chris Bertram is the Golf World Top 100 Courses and Resorts Editor He was born and brought up in Dumfriesshire and has been a sports journalist since 1996 initially as a junior writer with National Club Golfer magazine By Chris Bertram Golf World Top 100 Courses and Resorts Editor The central Dutch city of Utrecht has installed a “fish doorbell” on a river lock allowing viewers of an online livestream to alert authorities to fish being held up as they make their springtime migration to shallow spawning grounds at a river lock in the central Dutch city of Utrecht where a “fish doorbell” was installed that lets viewers of an online livestream alert authorities to fish being held up as they make their springtime migration to shallow spawning grounds Undated photo of a bream fish at a river lock in the central Dutch city of Utrecht Undated photo of a perch fish at a river lock in the central Dutch city of Utrecht pose at the the lock in the city of Utrecht The idea is simple: An underwater camera at Utrecht’s Weerdsluis lock sends live footage to a website When somebody watching the site sees a fish they can click a button that sends a screenshot to organizers they alert a water worker who opens the lock to let the fish swim through the site has attracted millions of viewers from around the world with its quirky mix of slow TV and ecological activism the screen is just a murky green with occasional bubbles AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports on a livestream that helps spawning fish pike and bass can become backed up behind the lock and form easy prey for predators in the spring when the lock is rarely opened for passing boats The bell is the brainchild of ecologist and concept developer Mark van Heukelum He’s been happily surprised at the response with millions of people from around the world tuning in over the years a beautiful story and just a simple idea generates all this attention,” he said was also amazed at the popularity of the concept around the world “We get a lot of fan mail from people who think it’s slow TV and they find it relaxing,” said Nijs “they appreciate that they can actually do something to help.” Associated Press writer Mike Corder in The Hague contributed Transdev Nederland has placed an order for as many as 96 Solaris Urbino Electric buses Deliveries are scheduled for the last quarter of 2025 Solaris to deliver electric buses in Utrecht Transdev Nederland is already familiar with Solaris products The fleet will serve public transportation in the province of Utrecht Transdev Nederland is one of the largest operators in the Netherlands and a leader in zero-emission mobility The order for 96 electric Solaris buses is a part of the company’s strategy to replace the entire fleet in Utrecht with zero-emission vehicles The customer opted for Solaris High Energy battery solution © Copyright 2012 - 2025 | Vado e Torno Edizioni | All rights reserved | P.I Leading the way to greener and smarter mobility Our ambition is to accompany all transportation stakeholders in meeting tomorrow’s mobility challenges We strive to provide them with the most efficient and digital mobility systems while further improving the environmental friendliness of our solutions We offer products from the broadest portfolio range in the rail industry Our innovation focus is on green and smart solutions Our state-of-the-art signalling solutions allow operators to ensure the highest standards in safe seamless travel with urban and mainline solutions that meet the specific needs of each operation environment With the widest components portfolio in the rail industry Alstom offers the best solution available to original equipment manufacturers for increasingly safe and environmentally-friendly travel We offer a complete range of sustainable solutions for tracklaying electrification and the supply and installation of electromechanical material along the entire track We provide solutions to deliver security and fluidity to passengers and operations by optimising real-time performance in signalling and multimodality by offering connectivity and automating driving We offer a complete range of customised services including maintenance All of which ensure operators the highest level of availability for their fleets Drawing on our complementary business lines we offer bundled and fully integrated systems that include rolling stock This turnkey approach optimises project execution and transport system performance Find the latest Alstom press releases and news The one stop shop for all relevant information for investors and shareholders Access our financial & share information shareholders' meetings and investors' contacts & presentations Select the agenda platform you whish to add the event on : Alstom Equity Story Universal Registration Document 2023/24 including the annual financial report You know we make trains move. Discover how we move the world. At Alstom, we value curious and innovative people who are passionate about working together to reinvent mobility, making it smarter and more sustainable. We are building an agile, inclusive, and responsible culture, where diverse people are offered opportunities to learn, grow and advance in their careers, with options across functions and geographies. This year's theme is 'Rail Safety.’ During Raildagen, Alstom will open its doors in Utrecht, allowing visitors to go behind the scenes of the rail industry and discover the latest innovations and technologies that ensure rail safety. Bernard Belvaux, Benelux Managing Director, comments: "Alstom is delighted to launch and open its Test Lab for rail safety systems to our partners. Our expertise in signalling is recognised worldwide and we are proud to take the next step in our contribution to the safety and digitalisation of the Dutch railways with this innovative Test Lab." Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the new lab and take part in fascinating presentations and live demonstrations by experts. As the world leader in ERTMS, the standard for train safety in Europe, Alstom sets the benchmark for safety and efficiency. Alstom is also facilitating an important transition to sustainable transport, as demonstrated by the introduction of the hydrogen train between Leeuwarden and Groningen. With a strong focus on safety, reliability, affordability and efficiency, Alstom is contributing to the development of future-proof rail infrastructures in the Netherlands and beyond. Alstom™ is a protected trademark of the Alstom Group Alstom™ and FlexCare Modernise™ are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group [1] European Rail Traffic Management System clinicians and funders through impactful research publications The BMJ BMJ Case Reports BMJ Journals The BMJ Collections BMJ Impact Analytics BMJ Technology Assessment Group British National Formulary (BNF) Research to Publication medRxiv Openrxiv Advertising BMJ Author Hub Events Podcasts Rights & Licensing Partnerships Our EDI strategy for Publishing & Events By confronting long-standing bias in medicine we are taking decisive action to reshape our sector We have established targeted initiatives—such as policy reforms and comprehensive training programmes—to drive sustainable change toward a diverse and inclusive environment Empowering health professionals worldwide throughout all career stages with exam preparation Academic publications demonstrate that BMJ Learning enhances doctors’ knowledge and problem-solving skills in both primary and secondary care Study results reveal that BMJ Learning’s ECG interpretation modules led to an impressive overall improvement of 15.3% post-course Supporting healthcare professionals in their decision-making providing computable evidence-based solutions at the point of care and clinical insights at a population level Training & events BMJ Best Practice BMJ Clinical Intelligence Partnerships Mobilising knowledge for quality improvement and learning Multiple examples exist where users or organisations have used BMJ Best Practice to drive behaviour change There is now evidence from over 40 publications that BMJ Best Practice drives clinical and educational quality improvement Utrecht, 11 June 2024—The International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, which attracts 3,000 delegates annually, will be in Utrecht for the first time in 2025.  Visitors from all over the world will come to Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs to gain knowledge and inspiration on improvement initiatives in patient care which will take place next year from 21 to 23 May is one of the world’s largest congresses for health and care professionals committed to improving patient care Bringing in this top congress is the first result of the Utrecht Congress Alliance’s targeted acquisition strategy the city and region are fully committed to attracting top international congresses Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs international stage for quality and safety in healthcare The International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare is an annual event that brings together the world’s brightest minds and key stakeholders in the field for quality and safety of patient care The congress aims to encourage innovations in healthcare Director of Partnership Development at BMJ Group we support and encourage patient safety and healthcare improvement by bringing together knowledge We look forward to bringing our international forum to Utrecht for the first time we will inspire visitors next year with the historical charm of the city of Utrecht.” Utrecht takes first step in international ambition top congresses Based on its Utrecht Congress Alliance the city and region of Utrecht is fully committed to organising top international congresses Congresses that fit the positioning ‘Utrecht Heart of Health’ and that connect with the regional themes Life Sciences & Health New Digital Society and Smart Sustainability said: ‘We are extremely proud to offer a stage to the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare for three days next year It is a fantastic first step we are taking within the Utrecht Congress Alliance with which we want to further strengthen the ‘Utrecht There is broad support in the Utrecht region for business visits and the acquisition of international congresses We therefore hope to attract more top international congresses of this kind to Utrecht.” The International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare is jointly organised by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and BMJ Group The ambition of both organisations is to improve healthcare and outcomes for patients and communities The International Forum is sustained by an international network of quality improvement organisations and leaders About us Our impact Work at BMJ Group Our Group leadership team Our story Our values Advertising Librarian hub Legal information Media hub Open access at BMJ Group Partnerships Careers & Learning Digital Health Publishing & Events StudentenkamerKopen.nl sells existing student houses in their entirety to multiple buyers Instead of subdividing a property into separate apartments Each student pays between 100,000 and 200,000 euros for a share of the property this model grants direct ownership to the students The Utrecht government strongly opposes the practice “This is a really bad development,” said Housing Alderman Dennis de Vries (PvdA) “It makes housing even more expensive and shuts out those who can’t afford to buy.” Because many of the sold properties were previously rental units the supply of affordable student housing is shrinking The city has limited legal options to intervene but De Vries says officials are closely monitoring the situation “If this turns out to be an indirect form of property splitting—which requires a permit—we will take enforcement action.” “Student rental housing is already in decline This is not progress,” said a spokesperson the association of private real estate investors told BNR that many student properties are sitting half-empty Owners are holding off on renting them out as they prepare to sell “This is an extreme example of the ongoing sell-off of rental properties,” he said to BNR While demand for individual student rooms remains high “It benefits students who can afford it but worsens housing inequality.” a survey of other major student cities shows that the model has not yet gained traction outside Utrecht experts fear the trend could spread if no action is taken Rik Gijtenbeek argues that his approach creates housing opportunities but he acknowledges that sellers benefit financially By avoiding the need for a subdivision permit sellers can earn more than they would by selling to a single buyer students reportedly face challenges in securing mortgages making the model viable only for those whose parents can cover the full purchase price The PhD research by Yu-Hsiang Chiu (UMC Utrecht) provided provides valuable insights for risk assessment and potential treatment strategies for patients with connective tissue disease-associated instertitial lung disease decreases in disease biomarkers such CXCL11 CTGF and KL-6 were associated with improved pulmonary outcomes The prevalence of ILD is significant in systemic autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) systemic sclerosis (SSc) and primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) CTD-associated ILD (CTD-ILD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in CTD patients and impairs quality of life substantially due to shortness of breath Extrapulmonary manifestations include skin tightness The studies by Chiu and colleagues identified that in CTD-ILD patients older age and poor lung function were associated with poor prognosis and increased mortality The criteria for defining PPF showed similar prognostication with variable performance between various patient groups A panel of 38 serum biomarkers was explored and decreases in certain disease biomarkers such as CXCL11 The thesis also reviewed the potential benefit and risk of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in rapid progression of SSc-associated ILD including cellular senescence and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition HSCT resulted in stabilization and modest improvements in lung volume and disease extent but with fewer effects on diffusion capacity.In addition HSCT is associated with severe treatment-related complications HSCT should therefore only be provided by experienced multidisciplinary teams is carefully selected patients The PhD thesis by Yu-Hsiang Chiu provides valuable insights for risk assessment and potential (personalized) treatment strategies to improve clinical outcomes for CTD-ILD patients Yu-Hsiang Chiu, MD (1985, Kaohsiung, Taiwan) defended his PhD thesis on July 2 The title of his thesis was “Progressive pulmonary fibrosis in connective tissue disease” Jaap van Laar (Department of Rheumatology & Clinical immunology MD PhD (Department of Rheumatology & Clinical immunology Yu-Hsiang Chiu will continue to dedicate himself to patient care and research in Taiwan This solution is expected to reduce the shortage of capacity on the grid in the province by 60 megawatts (MW) helping to maintain security of supply and progress with housing ambitions in Utrecht province Market parties can now offer their controllable generation in a targeted manner to grid operators Stedin and TenneT This involves the supply of stand-alone power facilities which have a low load on the grid and supply power on demand - as a service - to enable energy transition They will be deployed first in the province of Utrecht because the pressure on the electricity grid there is acute The additional power supply is mainly used at the biggest bottlenecks in Utrecht's power grid Peaks caused by high energy demand when it is cold for long periods The temporary power generators provide a targeted interim solution where the power grid is overloaded and cannot be upgraded at short notice They run at most ten per cent of the year and consist of modules together providing the necessary 60 MW of emergency power will determine in which locations the modules can best be deployed regional director at Stedin: ‘To prevent the risk of longer and more power cuts in the province of Utrecht This solution is new for us and necessary to continue connecting sustainable homes and charging stations in the region This is truly a step forward in the transition to a sustainable energy system The CO2 emissions from the temporary emergency power facilities pay for themselves by enabling more electric cars Besides market parties offering the power generators maximum support from Utrecht municipalities is essential to get emergency power to the right places in time Stedin will approach several municipalities in a targeted manner in the coming months granting permits more quickly and removing possible nitrogen barriers The power generators will be erected across the province and used until the grid reinforcement is completed Stedin will organise the land on which they will be placed and provide the necessary connections Once they are no longer needed in the province they can be deployed in other areas where the grid is congested The generators will remain the property of the market player(s) Deputy Huib van Essen of the province of Utrecht: ‘The province recognises the importance of adjustable generation in order not to lose progress in the energy transition but we really see this as a bridging period we want to move towards controllable generation based on renewable sources We will support Stedin and the municipalities where possible Steps have already been taken to tackle grid congestion - congestion on the power grid - such as speeding up procedures to expand high-voltage substations we are also looking at opportunities to realise new infrastructure faster The tender - Request for Proposal (RFP) - started on Thursday 24 October 2024 and can be found on TenderNed under the name ‘Flextender Stedin - TenneT’ The grid operators are requesting the service to be technology-neutral Market parties that can provide controllable generation of at least 60 MW and meet the set conditions can now offer it with a number of parties being selected in the first phase which may submit an offer in the second phase the grid operators expect to contract a party that can provide controllable power as a service during 2026 the market parties will receive an availability fee and a call-off fee "Healthcare demand and healthcare costs are rising dramatically and there is already a worldwide shortage of pathologists," says postdoc and clinical epidemiologist Carmen van Dooijeweert pathologists need to spend less time for the assessment of lymph nodes AND we save costs (win-win) while diagnostics remain just as safe for patients We like this because it shows that if you implement AI in this safe manner but you also make pathologists' work a lot more enjoyable right away."  After a woman's breast tumor is removed for breast cancer often the sentinel lymph node is also removed the pathologist can check if the cancer has metastasized the tumor cells end up in that sentinel lymph node first That is why pathologists always carefully examine that tissue as well.  since the implementation of digital pathology in 2015 Sometimes pathologists see those metastases by eye they have to look at all the sections very carefully pathologists look at sections (thin slices) of the sentinel lymph node one more time to make sure they don't miss any metastases they use additional staining with antibodies that recognize tumor-specific proteins (immunohistochemistry).  "Because these antibodies have a color label the tumor cells become clearly visible," Carmen continues "This allows you to see if there are still tumor cells that were missed during the initial assessment of which we already do (at least) five per sentinel node sometimes multiple tissue blocks from multiple sentinel lymph nodes need to be viewed it is also an intensive and time-consuming job for the pathologist." Carmen investigated whether AI can help perform sentinel node tissue assessment more efficiently without risking missing tumor cells when omitting the additional staining?   "You can actually use AI in two ways: completely independent ('independent AI' - ed.) or as a helper to the healthcare professional ('AI assistance - ed.)," Carmen explains the algorithm decides completely independent whether something is a tumor or not This is risky and it is currently unthinkable in clinical practice because what if the algorithm is wrong That raises all kinds of ethical and legal questions Carmen and her team used that other form of artificial intelligence but you still have to look at the result yourself So a pathologist still looks at the slides in all cases (human in the loop)  "Our AI-application – which we did not develop ourselves but we licensed it from the company Visiopharm– recognizes structures," Carmen says "It recognizes anything which doesn’t belong in a lymph node and marks it for the pathologist depending on how suspicious it thinks the spot is."   Carmen worked with two groups of sentinel nodes and then the pathologists looked specifically at the outlines That check was quickly completed for the pathologists often without the need for expensive additional staining.  and it turned out to be much cheaper to work that way we have already saved 3,000 euros on additional stainings That can add up to tens of thousands of euros per year," Carmen says.  The amount saved only increases when you consider that in some hospitals the expensive extra stainings are often performed immediately in order to work faster Several (cost-saving) scenarios were also calculated in the paper allowing other pathology laboratories to calculate for themselves the potential cost savings when using AI for this application checks were performed during the trial to ensure that the AI procedure was safe: in all cases where no tumor cells were detected the additional staining was still performed and AI turned out to have done its work correctly the unanimous conclusion of the participating pathologists was that working with the algorithm makes their work more enjoyable department head of pathology and research leader: "This study has shown that with AI we can detect metastases in lymph nodes safely This contributes greatly to the business case for introducing AI in pathology because unfortunately and unfairly there is no reimbursement for it yet." The pathologists at UMC Utrecht are now working this way as standard in breast cancer probably as the first in the world.   A teacher from Utrecht is suspected of sexually abusing three underage girls he taught or supervised at secondary schools in Utrecht and Almere. Olav A. (45) invited these children to his home and had sex with them there, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) said during the first preliminary hearing of the case in the Utrecht court, RTV Utrecht reported A. worked at various schools as a teacher, supervisor, and student coordinator. The prosecutor did not reveal at which schools the abuse took place. According to Omroep West the man currently works as a team leader of the lower grades at the Rijswijk Lyceum The secondary school in Rijswijk suspended him He was arrested in January and is still in custody of abusing the large age gap between him and his victims and the position of power he had over them as their teacher and coordinator The man had long-term relationships with the girls in question and sexually abused them for the entire period The OM suspects that there are more victims - A chatted with more girls on his laptop and phone The police are investigating whether he also sexually abused or groomed these girls is currently charged with sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl from Utrecht between June 2017 and August 2018 a 16-year-old girl from Almere between December 2023 and September 2024 and another 16-year-old girl from Almere between September 2023 and January 2024 The man also allegedly chatted with two 16-year-old girls from a secondary school in Almere and convinced them to send him nude photos and videos having sex with one of the girls from Almere on A.’s data carriers is also charged with possession and production of child pornography The OM also considers the images he convinced girls to make themselves to be child pornography the man is waiting for the investigation to be completed before he makes a statement Suspects often wait for the criminal file to be complete The prosecutor said that A.’s silence could delay the case considerably A spokesperson for the Rijswijk Lyceum confirmed to Omroep West that A has been a team leader at the school since January 2024 on a temporary contract “the OM has stated that there are no indications that A He did not teach the kids and was suspended after the suspicions against him became clear “As soon as we heard that he was under investigation he provided a Certificate of Good Conduct and references.” which revolves around the preservation of early retirement for police officers had previously led to the postponement of De Klassieker in Rotterdam A new date for the Ajax - FC Utrecht match has not yet been determined Both Ajax and FC Utrecht did everything possible to ensure the match could go ahead and are disappointed by the decision Maksymilian Del Mar, Professor of Legal Theory and Legal Humanities, will be delivering an online lecture on 28 April 2025 to the Research Network for Culture, Law, and the Body at Utrecht University and attempt to illustrate the broader history of kinesic simulation in the history of the language arts (especially rhetoric and dialectic) Register for the event Within the pandemic preparedness knowledge programme all from the Program Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases at the Julius Center have received five major ZonMw grants within the grant round ‘Modelling for pandemic preparedness: a call for innovation and knowledge development’ The grant round focuses on knowledge development and innovation of mathematic modelling in the field of pandemic preparedness and infectious disease control.  The awarded projects develop or conduct research on innovative models knowledge and ideas that can enhance modelling capabilities The aim is that results of the projects can be used for more effective policy in preventing and controlling future pandemics The five awarded projects - the total amount of the grants  adding up to approximately € 2 million grid operators Stedin and TenneT have not found enough flexible capacity to reduce the pressure on the power grid In order to avoid overloading the grid in the province of Utrecht with possible long-term power cuts the grid operators see no other option but to take the next step they will oblige large consumers with the ability to relieve the grid at peak times to offer their so-called 'flexible power' for a fee These large consumers can make a difference for example in making Utrecht's housing ambitions possible the grid operators are also working hard to expand the grid and provide more flexible solutions including grid-efficient installations in existing buildings grid-aware new buildings and delayed charging of electric cars Electricity consumption in the province of Utrecht is growing so fast that the grid will be overloaded if we do nothing The grid operators are working hard to expand the grid the capacity shortfall in the Utrecht grid is expected to reach 250 megawatts (MW) the grid operators are working with the various authorities on measures to reduce the load on the grid by 250 megawatts (MW) One of these measures is to oblige companies to offer flexible electricity The grid operators have recently approached more than 2,500 large electricity consumers in the province asking them to provide 'flexible capacity' The idea is that these large consumers will voluntarily use less electricity or temporarily feed it back into the grid at times of peak demand for a fee This extensive search has identified 20 MW of potential flexible capacity No actual contracts have yet been signed between large consumers and grid operators to actually implement this the search did not yield enough to sufficiently reduce the pressure on the electricity grid in the province TenneT and Stedin have been forced to proceed with the obligation of large consumers in the province of Utrecht to offer their flexible capacity The grid operators are taking a step-by-step approach and are supporting around 100 customers with this obligation The first group of around 20 customers to be approached from 15 November will have a capacity of more than 3 MW This will be followed by a group of customers with a capacity of more than 2 MW and finally customers with a capacity of more than 1 MW will be contacted This animation explains exactly how this will work Regional Director Utrecht at Stedin: "We find it extremely annoying that this is necessary and we understand that we are asking a lot The obligation to offer flexible energy for congestion management is a new step with a solid impact Grid operators also have limited experience in this area we are supporting customers by guiding them through this process as best we can including information sessions and linking them to knowledge organisations."  In addition to the use of companies' flexible capacity The other temporary measures announced in Utrecht are therefore also urgently needed the grid operators are working on more flexible solutions grid-compatible new buildings and grid-compatible charging of electric vehicles These measures are crucial to maintaining the reliability of the electricity grid for all connected customers in the province of Utrecht The high level of congestion on the grid is not unique to the province of Utrecht the same measures will also be taken in Flevopolder and Gelderland to relieve the grid Netherlands for the third time on August 25-28 2021 to host some of the best international beach volleyball players from around the world with forty teams battling to be crowned the Queens and Kings of Utrecht The prize money for the competition will be doubled compared to last year’s edition The tournament will again be held in a COVID-19-proof stadium A minimum of 500 spectators per session will again be able to safely enjoy and experience an international beach volleyball event with a unique format The King of the Court event format made its international competition debut in Utrecht where Sportworx has since continued to develop the concept into an entertaining highly competitive and energetic beach volleyball format the event was a big hit with beach volleyball fans with visitors rating the event 8.9 out of a possible 10 The event was broadcast live in 24 countries and was televised in over 135 countries live streams of the event have been viewed over one million times The remarkable success of the event on both an entertainment and sports level have enabled Sportworx to join forces with a new title sponsor for the event who will be announced at a later stage A total of twenty teams per gender will play for the titles of Queens and Kings of the Court dethroning Marco Krattiger and Florian Breer in the men’s tournament and Brazilians Agatha and Duda in the women’s draw The tournament will be held in the week after King of the Court makes its German debut in Hamburg on 19-22 August The FIVB is the governing body responsible for all forms of Volleyball on a global level Working closely with national federations and private enterprises to develop Volleyball as a popular media and entertainment sport FIVB Fédération Internationale de Volleyball Château Les Tourelles Edouard-Sandoz 2-4 1006 Lausanne Switzerland Phone: +41 213 453 535 Fax: +41 213 453 545 Learn how to describe the purpose of the image (opens in a new tab) Leave empty if the image is purely decorative Matthew Flinders has recently received an honorary doctorate from Utrecht University for his research and writing on the changing nature of democracy Matthew came to Loughborough in 1991 to do a degree in Modern European Studies He then went to the University of Sheffield to do a PhD in politics and public policy which he completed in 1999.   Since graduating Matthew has pursued an impressive career in democratic politics.  Following his graduation he went straight into lectureship and ten years later he was promoted to a personal chair During his time at the University of Sheffield he served as both a special advisor in both House of Lords and House of Commons He has also worked as an advisor to governments all over the world and has held fellowships in several countries.  Matthew has served on the Economic and Social Research Council and has been President of the Political Studies Association of the UK Until recently he was the Chair of the Universities Policy Engagement Network Matthew has written and presented a number of documentaries for BBC Radio 4 Topics have included political satire and comedy the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster and the future of democracy.    Matthew looks back on his time at Loughborough University with great fondness and has been back to give lectures and talks.   The URWOOD project transforms local wood waste into innovative composite materials A research team led by Bahar Barati from TU/e’s Industrial Design department, have received funding from the EWUU Seed Fund for Urban-Rural Circularity for their project 'URWOOD - Towards value-added repair in Utrecht Region with upcycled WOOD composite materials'. This project, in collaboration with  Tommaso Magrini (TU/e Mechanical Engineering) and researchers from WUR and UU focuses on transforming local wood waste into innovative composite materials with diverse applications the URWOOD project contributes to the circular economy and reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills A concrete example of this is the use of thermoplastic proteins from agri-food side streams to improve the printability and biodegradability of the composites This enables the creation of sustainable and environmentally friendly products that are both functionally and emotionally valuable The research will explore innovative approaches such as using local wood species and collaborating with local businesses URWOOD aims to co-create value-added repair processes that meet regional needs the project will promote its findings through municipal outreach More information can be found on the URWOOD website Several initiatives have sought to address weaknesses in the Utrecht city region food system in recent years at both the level of Utrecht Province and of Utrecht Municipality With a new provincial vision in development closer links will be forged between rural and urban areas over the next six years Utrecht was one of seven pilot cities selected for the first phase of the City Region Food Systems (CRFS) programme Utrecht’s city region was determined as the ‘U10 region’ – ten neighbouring municipalities (since expanded to 16) that were already cooperating over in some policy areas While the CRFS assessment identified a number of strengths in the Utrecht CRFS – such as generally good access to sufficient and momentum towards integration of food into policies – a number of weaknesses were also highlighted These included the relatively small size of the regional food economy and pressure from large-scale farming; few resource linkages between the city and more rural areas; and large differences in diet-related health issues among different social groups Project Leader of the Food Agenda at Utrecht Province confirmed that these weaknesses remain high on the food and agriculture policy agenda in the province and successes and failures in the years since 2018,” she said the province introduced its first three-year food policy with a dual focus on enabling short food supply chains and providing more sustainable and healthy food for everyone in the region it provided a budget for activities to facilitate networking and promote local movements While the 2021-2023 policy is currently under evaluation a new policy is being prepared through a participatory process including a vision up to 2030 and two shorter One innovation under the 2021-2023 policy was the recruitment of a ‘deal maker’ to promote short chains in public procurement by brokering an agreement between producers’ collectives and food service locations – including canteens and hospitals “These people recently signed an agreement to have more sustainable and healthy food from short chains The partners also try to have more organic produce and reduce their food waste,” explained Pijnenburg The agreement does not include school canteens which fall under the responsibility of the municipalities Another initiative was Lokaal Voedsel Utrecht (Local Food Utrecht) which originated from the EU-funded LEADER project but was supported by Utrecht Province The initiative connected suppliers with buyers in the catering industry “We wanted to give it back to the market,” Pijnenburg explained While no organization came forward to take on the whole initiative Other activities have focused on building stronger linkages between the city and rural areas “What makes Utrecht Province different from almost all other provinces in the Netherlands is that the rural areas and city areas are quite close to each other People in Utrecht go to parks and nearby natural areas but that does not equal more knowledge on food,” Pijnenburg said the province has carried out educational projects It has also sought to inspire policy officers from municipalities to address food systems “City municipalities like Utrecht have some food-related policies but the rural municipalities are not really focused on food,” said Pijnenburg adding that over the last two years there has been “a bit more interest” One area in which Utrecht Municipality is taking action is diet-related health inequalities is currently working with data analysts to produce a ‘heat map’ showing the location of food retailers in the city and to test the hypothesis that there are more outlets and other retailers selling unhealthy food products in neighbourhoods with the highest populations in a vulnerable position “If there is a new food retailer who brings that score down you could say ‘we don’t want you here’ and refuse them,” said Merts require considerable advocacy and amenable political climate at the national level “It could result in some legal challenges,” said Merts The Domplein is full and in a long line through the city centre thousands of demonstrators today made it known that they do not want cuts in higher education Het Onderwijsblad spoke to 5 participants with a protest sign about their motives that is not how you advance a country.'  “At my Creative Business program at the Hogeschool Utrecht there are already lecturers who are not getting their contracts renewed due to the budget cuts,” says student Chester van Dinther (23) If the budget cuts in higher education continue education will soon become a privilege that you can only afford if you can pay for it Just like in the time of the Wigs and Revolutions Although it’s not as bad now as it was then.” “My 7-year-old daughter made this protest sign,” says Verena Seibel (38) a migration and integration lecturer at Utrecht University “I also brought this sign to the demonstration on Malieveld on 25 November I explained to my daughter why I am striking That it is important that enough money goes to education so that we will have enough people for important professions such as doctors or politicians in the future I expect that the workload on our Interdisciplinary Social Science programme will increase considerably because there is a vacancy freeze and as a result we will have to do the same work with fewer teachers.” Van der Molen (29) immediately admits that the protest sign was made by his colleagues I am protesting against the policy but also for a personal reason At the HU I work on the Creative Business program and I have a temporary contract I have personally invested in education and have a passion for it The cutbacks do not improve the quality of the programs This will lead to a snowball effect.”  “I work as a lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy and Religious Studies The cutbacks are really hitting everything My text is about the fact that value cannot always be captured in numbers the value of learning to think critically for society is enormous At the moment there is already a vacancy freeze and the studies of Islam and Arabic are at risk but remember that this is about courses that have been built up over hundreds of years.” is something like: 'Together towards the future' That's why I made this protest sign with 'Crying together' The consequences of the cutbacks will be great The accessibility of the entire higher education is under pressure and that will have consequences for the first-generation students who study with us I really ask myself: who makes such choices I'm afraid that my own workload will increase and we will have to supervise more students with fewer colleagues The politicians are really breaking down education and the consequences are incalculable This is not how you advance a country and you don't solve the teacher shortage.”  This page was translated automatically, if you see strange translations please let us know After last year's success, Alstom will again open its doors on September 20 & 21 2024 from 10:00 – 16:00, to the general public, customers, suppliers, press, employees, family, and students to explore the world of the rail industry - this time at our location in Utrecht. Nothing is more important than safety! That is why this year's theme is: Railway Signalling. Step aboard for a journey through the past, present, and future surrounding all technologies that ensure safe railways. The Raildagen at Alstom offers an engaging mix of exhibitions interested in innovative signalling solutions Our location is easily accessible by public transport which will bring you to our location within 11 minutes our building is already visible and just a few minutes' walk away Alstom Utrecht is also easily accessible by car as the building is just a few minutes from the A12 Take exit 17 and follow the signs towards Jaarbeurs The location is just before the first roundabout after the exit and is identifiable by the Alstom logo WARNING: There are multiple roadworks on the A2 during the Raildagen, which may lead to congestion on the way to the event (particularly towards exit 17). For additional information, please visit the website: https://www.vananaarbeter.nl/. Home » English » Unions cancel massive education budget protest in Utrecht amid safety concerns Following urgent advice from Utrecht’s mayor education unions AOb and FNV have canceled a major demonstration scheduled for Thursday to protest education budget cuts citing concerns that safety could not be ensured According to NOS Utrecht’s trialogue team received “concrete information from outside the city” that a pro-Palestine organization was planning to “hijack” the demonstration A letter from mayor Sharon Dijksma to the city council reportedly warned that “violence could not be ruled out” if this occurred Unions AOb and FNV described the cancellation as “terrible and staff who wanted to take action tomorrow will now not be able to have their voices heard.” Abdelkader Karbache head of the Dutch national student union (LSVb) expressed disappointment but noted that few alternatives were available “The city would have banned the demonstration anyway,” he said At least hundreds of protesters were expected to travel from Nijmegen to Utrecht the demonstration was on track to be “the largest in higher education history.” The last-minute cancellation The right to demonstrate is a fundamental right that should not be taken lightly.” The group is now exploring alternative plans for holding a protest president of Radboud University’s executive board was also planning to join the protest in Utrecht “While I understand that the demonstration cannot go forward under these circumstances The message remains that research and education form the foundation for the future of the Netherlands.” Mayor Dijksma expressed regret about the cancellation at a time when the right to free expression is so valuable there are those who would take away that freedom from others through threats of violence.” Update 20:00: Due to the cancellation of the demonstration in Utrecht WOinActie will organise a walkout and meeting tomorrow at 13:00 on the Nijmegen campus Do you want to leave a comment? Please read our house rules. Your email address will not be published. It may take a while before your response is posted. Read our privacy statement if you want to know more about how we use your data daily or weekly update with our articles in your mailbox This can be done anonymously using the form Wij maken gebruik van cookies.Lees meer hierover in onze privacy statement websitebezoek en gebruik wordt gemeten en gebruikersgegevens worden anoniem verzameld the Netherlands' lesser-known city of canalsThis year as the bike-friendly Dutch city celebrates its 900th anniversary in style farm-to-table restaurants and historical sites This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK)Despite celebrating its 900th anniversary as a city this year the fourth-biggest Dutch centre hasn’t turned its back on its small-town ways Daily activities still revolve around the medieval centre where bikes rattle on cobblestones and the gentle flow of ancient canals sets the rhythm for an unhurried pace of life The city has been hard at work in the lead up to its birthday it completed the high-profile restoration of a major canal — a project almost two decades in the making two sites in the wider Utrecht province were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List the city-centre ruins of the imperial palace were made accessible to the public for the first time in decades.But it’s not all about the past One of the country’s major university cities Utrecht buzzes with a youthful spirit thanks to its healthy student population And while a visit here is likely to start at a cultural landmark it could end with an art-themed treasure hunt or jazz show in a futuristic concert hall an immersive archaeological site that takes you through Domplein’s tumultuous 2,000-year history The other must-see in this square is gothic St Martin’s Cathedral which used to be joined to the Domtoren until a storm destroyed its nave in 1674 — don’t leave without taking a stroll around its 15th-century courtyard the Catherinesingle section of the Stadsbuitengracht canal — which wraps around the city centre — was re-filled with water in 2020 it’s possible to cruise along the entire four-mile loop for the first time in four decades a series of light installations in and around the centre Set up as part of the city’s bid to become the 2018 European Capital of Culture From a glowing halo above the modest St Willibrord’s Church to pulsating lights inside Paushuize palace it’s further proof of the city’s knack for reinvention an hour’s cycle from Utrecht.Photograph by Getty ImagesThree cycling tours to try in UtrechtIn 2019 Utrecht opened the world’s largest bicycle park a three-level garage with over 12,500 slots It’s part of one of Europe’s best cycling infrastructures — testament to the city’s love for two-wheeled adventures 1. History on a grand scale It takes around an hour to cycle from Utrecht to De Haar Castle the largest in the Netherlands and arguably the most extravagant It was built in the 19th century with all the medieval flair of the mansion it replaced De Haar is an arresting sight: a blaze of spires all reflected in a large moat and surrounded by a 55-acre park Book a guided tour to be let in on the secrets of its most notable guests; it was once the holiday retreat of the aristocratic Van Zuylen family and it has also hosted a glamorous roll call of A-listers over the years from fashion designer Coco Chanel to opera singer Maria Callas and actors Gregory Peck and Roger Moore the museum has a full-scale replica of his Parisian studio plus exhibits delving into his life Head north  The local tourist office organises private cycling tours of the city These itineraries can be tailored to specific interests let your guide take you to the northern parts of the city centre these areas are often overlooked in favour of the livelier south but can provide a welcome respite from the weekend buzz admire the beautiful houses — among the most expensive in the city — and explore the winding alleys keeping an eye out for their inner courtyards these green corners open their gates to the public in the daytime as well as temporary exhibits exploring the role of religion in Dutch society 1. Waterside terrace Canal-side Roost aan de Singel restaurant and bar has one of the largest terraces in the city as well as a heated patio for colder weather Order a portion of bitterballen — small meatballs best enjoyed dipped in mustard Green spaces Once the site of medieval city walls the Stadsbuitengracht canal is now hugged by a series of gardens a green corridor that borders the waterway for three miles in the shadow of the city’s Sonnenborgh Observatory Unusual sights On a walk around the Stadsbuitengracht look out for a UFO balancing on the Dutch Railways headquarters or a giant teapot on the Hoog Catharijne shopping centre Pieces left behind from past open-air exhibitions they’re proof the city doesn’t take itself too seriously Published in the November 2022 issue of  National Geographic Traveller (UK)  Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information When you think of the world’s most bike-friendly cities Amsterdam and Copenhagen probably come to mind first But another contender has edged into the top tier: Utrecht the fourth-largest and fastest-growing city in the Netherlands where average daily bike trips number 125,000 The 33rd edition of the Utrecht Conference an annual forum for Polish-Dutch consultations This bilateral initiative aims to strengthen political and social cooperation between Poland and the Netherlands Each edition focuses on current challenges and priorities for both countries This year’s conference addressed key geopolitical and social challenges Discussions were held in thematic working groups where experts from both countries exchanged experiences and perspectives at national and EU levels on topics such as foreign policy attended by representatives of the Ministry of Justice – Dominika Ziętara advisor to the Minister of Justice for Political and Legal Affairs Deputy Director of the Criminal Law Department – key topics included Poland's Action Plan for Restoring the Rule of Law and the digitization of the judicial system discussions covered criminal law in the context of EU legislative work and experiences related to the implementation of the regulation on the European Public Prosecutor's Office The Utrecht Conference remains a vital platform for consultations deepening bilateral relations to address current challenges and respond to international developments ‘Vertical forest’ tower will have 10,000 plants on its facade in bid to reinvigorate biodiversity Every roof in the city district of Utrecht is to be “greened” with plants and mosses or have solar panels installed under plans driven by the success of a similar scheme for the municipality’s bus stops The “no roofs unused” policy is part of an attempt to reinvigorate biodiversity in the city and create a less stressful and happier environment, of which the construction of a so-called “vertical forest tower with 10,000 plants on its facade is set to become a leading example. That building alone, close to Utrecht railway station, will host 360 trees and 9,640 shrubs and flowers, equal to 1 hectare (2.47 acres) of woods, once it is completed in 2022. a plan set to be agreed by the city council next September will introduce an obligation to green the roofs of all the buildings in the city district The municipality already runs an oversubscribed grant scheme to cover 50% of the costs for homeowners who want to green their roofs up to a maximum of €20,000 (£17,900) per application Alderman Kees Diepeveen said: “In this city district every roof will be either used for green or for solar panels It will be that when you look at the different heights the lower rooftops will be mainly green and the higher ones will be mainly solar panels And now again a combination of the two because solar panels need some cooling Utrecht has completed the wide-scale installation of green roofs on its bus stops Photograph: Utrecht city“The green can offer the cooling for the solar panels to function properly It will be a regulation: all roofs are used.” Utrecht, the fastest growing city in the Netherlands, was rated in a 2019 study by Natuur & Milieu as the most “sustainable” in the country in terms of buying green electricity exploitation of solar power and encouragement of cycling The municipality completed the installation of green roofs on its 316 bus stops last year and providing cooling during the summer months The bus stops roofs are planted with sedum a plant with small yellow flowers in the summer months feature energy-efficient LED lighting and 96 of them have been outfitted with solar panels The bases of the shelters are made of recycled concrete and the municipality says the maintenance will be carried out solely by electric vehicles. The city, the fourth largest in the Netherlands plans to use “completely clean public transport” by 2028 with the electricity used to power the buses being produced by Dutch windmills a landmark building in the newly greened city centre roof and balconies will be filled with around half the trees and shrubs presently found in Central Park in New York Its developers claim it will absorb about 5.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year and produce about 41 tonnes of oxygen equivalent to that generated by a hectare of forest La nueva herramienta virtual se desarrolló utilizando ArcGIS un software de sistemas de información geográfica desarrollado por la empresa Esri Este mapa ya tiene identificados 22 puntos críticos de disponibilidad de agua en todo el mundo como parte de una iniciativa quinquenal de agua dulce Washington, D.C. — Today, the National Geographic Society launched the World Water Map as part of its five-year World Freshwater Initiative to better understand developing freshwater shortages around the world and inspire sustainable action The Map was created by the National Geographic Society in cooperation with Utrecht University and Esri to identify water availability hotspots visualize global freshwater supply and demand and tell the story of how people use water The Map is based on one of the most advanced open-source models to track water availability in every part of the world The Map provides an interactive view of the sectors of water use; how much water people consume for agricultural and household use; and what’s left for nature which builds on hydrological models made by Utrecht University consists of over 40 years of historical data and will be updated periodically to monitor changes in water availability and demand Humanity is facing a water availability crisis characterized by too much water in some places and not enough in others Half of the world’s population could be living in areas facing water scarcity by as early as 2025 and this is elevated among marginalized communities This is driven not only by climate change but also by rapid urban development As the factors driving water availability are complex and vary across countries and regions the World Water Map contains multiple layers to visualize the gap between water supply and demand Developed by National Geographic Explorer and Utrecht University water experts Marc Bierkens and Niko Wanders and built using Esri’s cutting-edge GIS technology it is a unique visualization tool that allows users to explore the results of a global scale water availability modeling approach that indicates areas where water demand outpaces renewable water resources - a water gap “Mapping the world and how people interact with their natural resources has been a hallmark of National Geographic Society since our earliest days Our global freshwater resources are irreplaceable and using mapping to tell the story of freshwater - and how people and nature use it - is part of our ongoing commitment to protect the wonder of our world “The World Water Map will be an impactful tool to support freshwater research The World Water Map also identifies 22 hotspots around the world including the Central Valley in California and the Indus River Basin in Pakistan to name a few these hotspots were identified as facing crisis-level water scarcity due to the gap between human water demand and renewable water availability These crises are exacerbated by several factors including climate change which are straining the demand on water use for agricultural “The water availability crisis is one that will require all of us to understand it and take action to solve it,” said Bierkens “This map is the first step toward spreading global awareness about the problem and helping us open up discussion about solutions.” The Map will also be enhanced with stories from National Geographic Explorers - and storytelling grantees supported through the World Freshwater Initiative - who are documenting freshwater challenges in their communities as well as sustainable solutions The first cohort will be announced during New York Water Week users can also search for their local watershed (zooming in up to 10 kilometers) to understand freshwater availability and sustainability issues affecting their community “To better understand and solve the global water crisis it is necessary to quantify and contextualize water supply and demand and location intelligence is foundational to this approach,” said Sean Breyer Program Manager for Living Atlas of the World at Esri we’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with National Geographic Society and build our collaboration with Utrecht University to help empower deeper understanding of one of the most pressing current global issues.” By creating an interactive interface that brings the general public closer to data usually only used by scientific institutions we can improve our collective understanding of the challenges facing global freshwater access and a growing water gap The World Water Map serves as an educational tool to help people around the world understand and take action to protect freshwater resources The place where new partnerships and cross-pollinations have been taking place since 1636 Beyond the boundaries of disciplines we research teach and share knowledge and insights that provide the building blocks for tomorrow www.uu.nl/en https://twitter.com/UUGeo About The National Geographic SocietyThe National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration investing in bold people and transformative ideas providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. 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