A Creative and Inspiring Gathering in Brussels: T4R Partners Come Together
From December 2nd to 4th, the T4R partners got together in Brussels, hosted by our colleagues from the City of Brussels. It was a productive and energizing three-day meeting centred around collaboration and learning.
Day One: Networking and thought-provoking concepts
The first day, while optional, was well-attended and set a great tone for the event. Participants engaged in small networking sessions and listened to presentations on important topics like the interoperability of Local Digital Twins (LDTs) and the fascinating concept of a 10-minute city. These discussions sparked ideas and connections, laying the groundwork for deeper conversations in the days ahead.
Day Two: A full house and peer learning in action
The second day saw more than 50 participants from various organizations filling the room. The morning agenda focused on status updates and management topics, with the group benefiting from the presence of our Interreg NWE project officer, Vincent Hagneré.
DKSR and K8 facilitated an engaging workshop to kick off work on the pilot actions. Using the codev-method, the pilot cities ('clients') presented their challenges to the group ('consultants'). The consultants then proposed innovative solutions, creating an interactive peer-learning environment that was highly appreciated by everyone. The codev-method’s success makes it a strong candidate for continued use throughout the project.
In the afternoon, we visited FARI’s CAVE, a cutting-edge environment where two Brussels-based universities collaborate on AI and ethics. The CAVE allows citizens and decision-makers to experience digital tools and platforms, such as digital twins, in immersive ways. Demonstrations by the city of Utrecht (Utrecht 3D and Amsterdam 3D) and by CAVE manager Susheel Nath highlighted the potential of these technologies to simulate scenarios and create impactful experiences.
Partner K8 led an engaging warming-up session that challenged participants to reflect on the essence of digital twins using beautifully created images. This activity set the stage for creative thinking as we moved forward.
The day ended with a classic Belgian dinner on the Grand-Place, where a stunning Christmas light and sound show illuminated the historic buildings, creating a memorable backdrop for informal conversations.
Day Three: Creative sessions and planning next steps
The final day took us to the beautiful City Hall, where creativity and collaboration continued. Under K8’s leadership, participants brainstormed the structure of the learning modules to be developed in the coming months. These creative sessions sparked innovative ideas and solidified the next steps for the project.
Looking ahead
As the three-day event came to a close, participants left feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to tackle the next phase of the project. We’re already looking forward to meeting again this spring in Dublin.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this gathering a success!
