Last year, Amsterdam was chosen as the European Capital of Innovation 2016 & 2017. The main reason for winning this award is the way Amsterdam approaches innovation as a societal challenge. A challenge which requires good collaboration between the municipality, knowledge institutions, businesses and industry and residents.

This ‘Amsterdam approach’ is the starting point for the international five-day festival. First, we shape our cities. Then, our cities shape us. The places we work and live in have a great influence on us. Through these places we influence the city. Worldwide, the urban population is growing fast. The city attracts, seduces, connects and makes us creative. But the city also has the power to divide, pollute and exhaust. The urban environment poses challenging questions.