Increasing Spatial Densities of Activities in and around the Port of Rotterdam

Background: Working together on room for growth and sustainability in the Port of Rotterdam is increasing while space in the area is limited. Furthermore the Port is in the vicinity of cities that want to grow while citizens want to live in an environment that is safe, clean and with good quality for living. The Port of Rotterdam therefore needs to work on a “license to operate” in harmony with his surroundings. Conducting the port operations in a sustainable and socially responsible way is then a prerequisite. Objective: Building networks of actors for (re)allocation of spatial resources. Given the complexity of the land-use changes and new spatial arrangements in and around the Port of Rotterdam, the (re allocation of spatial resources should be planned, designed and decided on in a multi-actor governance systems. Methods: Constructing multi-level design and decision systems for spatial planning to support the preparation and planning of sustainable areas in and around the Port of Rotterdam. An integration of advanced multi-actor systems (based on group decision making concepts from Operation Research), with management information systems (from Management Science) and spatial urban design systems (Geographical Information Systems, 2/3D Simulation, Gaming) can be developed and applied. Results: An operational multi-actor systems approach of sustainable urban areas. Based on the applications of multi-level design and decision support systems to optimize mutual dependencies concerning spatial objectives and resources for sustainability in port areas and their urban and rural environments. While the design objects are modelled in computer models, the decision-making process is modelled in the interactions of the stakeholders with the tools and each other. This enhances the integrated consideration of the many elements of a design problem, particularly those often regarded as being at odds, such as the economic viability, social responsibility, sustainability and environmental impact