The European Key to Discovery The worldwide Key to Discovery - LEIDEN
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
LEIDEN
The European Key to Discovery
The worldwide Key to Discovery
1
Bergen • Oslo •Stockholm
•
Leiden
• Amsterdam Belfast•
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
• Dublin •
• The Hague•
Utrecht
• Liverpool Amsterdam
Rotterdam Airport
• Rotterdam
London
• •
• Leiden • Berlin • Warsaw
Southampton • Brussels
• • Bonn
Paris •
• Luxembourg
Vienna
Munich
• •
Zurich • • Budepest
Lyon •
• Milan
Marseille •
Rome •
m
Lisbon •
Madrid •
k
300
Athens •
Contents
1 LEIDEN 4
The European Key to Discovery
The worldwide Key to Discovery
2 Innovation in the city 8
2.1 Leiden innovates 9
2.2 Leiden: City of Knowledge 10
2.3 Talent 11
2.4 Knowledge 14
2.5 Encounter 18
2.6 The innovative ecosystem in Leiden 26
3 Innovation by the city 28
3.1 The city of Leiden as a facilitator of innovation 30
3.2 The attraction of Leiden 33
3.3 The active role and involvement of the
people of Leiden 35
3.4 Leiden works together 37
4 Innovation due to the city 38
4.1 Culture 40
4.2 Museums 44
4.3 The historic city centre 48
4.4 History of Leiden 51
Colophon 4.5 Leiden inspires 53
Published by Gemeente Leiden
5 Leiden in portraits 54
December 2013
Concept and Design: Campaigns&Results
Copy: Hezelburcht BV 6 Leiden: the future of innovation 62
6.1 Knowledge 64
Copyright © 2013 Gemeente Leiden. 6.2 Talent 66
6.3 Encounter 68
6.4 Leiden and the European Union 69
6.5 Leiden: the future of innovation 71
3
1 LEIDEN
The European Key to Discovery
The worldwide Key to Discovery
Leiden is talent Leiden is knowledge Leiden is innovation Innovation is in Leiden’s DNA. The city is an international meeting place for talent, knowledge and innovation - and for that reason, also a place of business for count- less excellent science institutes and world- class companies. In Leiden, students from all over the world develop their talents in the footsteps of Albert Einstein, Descartes, Rembrandt and Armin van Buuren. Leiden is working on future-affecting and life changing innovations with prominent national and international partners. Citizens, compa- nies, knowledge workers and knowledge institutions in various fields deliver essential contributions to out of the box solutions for relevant social issues. After all, it’s for a good reason that this historical city surrounded by its canals, rich culture and many museums has been an inexhaustible source of inspiration to artists and scientists for centuries. 5
Companies based in Leiden develop solar panels, Leiden is inspiring
space industry technology and medicines to fight Leiden is committed to identifying, proclaiming and
Alzheimer’s disease. Leiden is dynamic. Leiden is developing talent. Every condition imaginable is created
international. Leiden is inspirational. Leiden. to attract talent, to develop it and keep it in the city.
Innovation Capital of Europe. This applies to “thinkers” and “doers” alike. It is the
combination of intellectual and vocational talent that
Leiden is innovative makes Leiden such a powerful proposition. Leiden is a
New ideas in every area imaginable. Innovation in city with a complex character. It is a colourful diversity
health care; knowledge institutions, care providers and of multicultural, political, artistic and scientific move-
residents of the city test ground-breaking concepts ments: ‘a gateway of free spirits’. From sour to sweet.
together to promote active ageing. In order to align The fact is that the ‘old and new’ people of Leiden have
housing as closely as possible to house buyers’ a big heart - or will soon get one - for their city and its
requirements, buyers are given the opportunity of future. They are closely involved in the city’s innova-
designing their own home. Old buildings are given new tion, often working together with research institutions,
uses. Leiden’s companies and knowledge institu- companies and the local authority or ... initiating their
tions are continually seeking collaborations with own projects. Many of these initiatives are embraced
national and international partners so they by the city: the longest city park in the Netherlands that
can learn from each other and arrive at is being laid along the canals is a citizen initiative.
new innovations.
That this proposition works is evidenced by the fact
Leiden’s teaching is of excellent that Leiden University has been awarded numerous
quality at all levels and its educa- contributions from the European programme European
tional offering is very wide- Research Council for contributions to excellent science
ranging. Leiden University is in Europe. Moreover, many different multinationals are
a world renowned first-class located in Leiden. The headquarters of Heerema Marine
institute and is a member of the Services, IKEA and the European Aeronautic Defence and
League of European Research Space Company are all in Leiden.
Universities.
Leiden’s approach is integral All parties in Leiden work together on innovation. Citizens, companies, knowledge institutions and the municipality work jointly on solutions to social prob- lems. Leiden’s initiatives are in line with the European efforts towards an Innovation Union. The fact that Leiden’s projects are aligned with the European agenda is evidenced by the numerous European projects in which the city’s parties are participating. Leiden is interactive The city stimulates meeting and multidisciplinary cooperation. One of the exponents is Leiden Global, a collaboration between scien- tists and museums in the area of Global and Area Studies. This collaboration will lead to an unequalled knowledge and understanding of the world’s diverse regions and cultures. Another example is the Leiden Institute for Brains and Cognition (LIBC) which unites the social sciences and humanities with medical science. Within this partnership the social sciences and humanities contribute to medical developments. They provide the expertise required to solve social problems and safeguard the human side of innovation. The discovery of Leiden. To matter. To continue to provide added value. Daring to think out of the box in order to achieve sustainably and responsibly. Leiden, City of Knowledge offers a stage to innovative researchers and free thinkers. Building on our rich past, we are working on the future of the city, the country, Europe... the world. 7
2 Innovation in the city
Leiden is fully capable of being a capital of
innovation within the Europe of today and in the
future: a tradition of knowledge and science,
combined with a young, creative population
and leading institutions. Innovation in Leiden is
stimulated from within key core values: talent,
knowledge and encounter. With its desire for
renewal and the courage to experiment, Leiden
is the innovative capital of Europe.
2.1 LEIDEN INNOVATES
Leiden has been committed to innovation for
centuries, due in part to the presence of the oldest
university in the Netherlands and numerous knowledge
institutions and organisations in and around the city.
It continues a centuries-long tradition of freedom, by
facilitating excellent teaching and research facilities
and generating enthusiasm for education and science
among young people, as well as the direct involvement
of citizens in the development of their city and region.
For centuries, Leiden has seen the importance of a
participating community as the breeding ground for
innovation, inspiration, integrality and interactivity.
Leiden innovates by encouraging leading research and
development and the teaching of people at different
levels. Leiden brings parties together to turn needs
and ideas into new partnerships and into projects
for more innovation, better training and economic
9
growth. By pairing academic institutes with industrial Programme in 2012, with the aim of enabling Leiden’s
partners, initiating spin-off companies and attracting businesses and knowledge institutions to flourish and,
new companies to the region, scientific breakthroughs at the same time, let the inhabitants of the region
become economic opportunities. The involvement of around Leiden benefit.
the community, knowledge institutions and business
stimulates this innovation. The municipality is using the City of Knowledge
Programme to stimulate and facilitate innovation in
Culture enhances the vibrancy and identity of the city. various ways, encouraging encounter and synergy
Culture forms a link between knowledge and history, between the parties, provides regular financial support
and the public space has more cultural destinations. to innovative projects and creates platforms. In addition
Knowledge attracts talents, innovative organisations there is a strong commitment to the spatial quality of
and financing. Offering a culture of innovation means
Leiden is appealing as a city to live and work in.
Knowledge and culture contribute to the city’s
character. The city of Leiden wants to make optimum
use of this power which puts the municipality, its
residents, institutions and organisations in a
better position to get the best out of them-
selves and each other.
2.2 LEIDEN: CITY OF
KNOWLEDGE
The municipality of Leiden recog-
nises the great importance of
innovation in the city and the
presence of innovative compa-
nies and excellent knowledge
institutions in the city. For
this reason the municipality
set up the City of Knowledgepublic areas. The City of Knowledge Programme lays Leiden has traditionally aimed for excellent education
the foundation that enable cross-overs between the for pupils and students at all levels and as such it is a
various disciplines and policy areas that are involved in city of knowledge in the truest sense. It contributes to
innovation, business and education. the economic development and therefore the growth in
the welfare of the city and the region as a whole.
The City of Knowledge Programme was set up
by the municipality in consultation with partners
such as Leiden University and the Leids University
Medical Center. It is building on the 2030 Vision for
Development, “Leiden, City of Discoveries”. This vision
has come about in collaboration with citizens, busi-
nesses and knowledge institutions. The programme is
also widely supported in Leiden. The City of Knowledge
Programme is being continuously developed and
updated.
2.3 TALENT
Talent is an important core value for Leiden, without
which there can be no innovation. Therefore, Leiden
stimulates attracting of talent, the facilitation of talent
and the development of talent in a variety of ways.
11Leiden is committed to the city’s knowledge workers, offering. The offering consists of primary, special and
especially as a result of the City of Knowledge further education, MBO, HBO and University. Education
Programme. Discovering talent in the city, attracting in Leiden belongs among the best the Netherlands
talent to the city and developing talent in the city are has to offer. There is continual investment in Leiden’s
the key. The way Leiden manages to do this includes education in order to further strengthen its excellent
the creation of outstanding facilities for student, young offering. The local authority invests millions each year
researchers and young entrepreneurs. on housing for primary, special and further education.
Leiden University has always been a driving force The University, MBO and HBO institutions invest large
behind the development of Leiden as a city of know amounts in their own housing. Investments are also
ledge, and it is a world leader in numerous disciplines. being made in student accommodation in order to meet
Among others, the university excels in the Humanities, the ever-growing demand.
Medicine and the sciences. That encourages research
into whether there are opportunities for making more A chain of technological talent
far-reaching knowledge valorisa- In Leiden, the Technolab gets young people enthu-
tion possible. Another example siastic about technical subjects from an early age.
of innovation is the integration of The Technolab inspires children’s and young people’s
university and business that comes interest in technology, organising workshops and
beautifully into its own with the new projects for primary school pupils as well as further
science campus at the Leiden Bio education and helping them to discover their talents. It
Science Park (LBSP). In the area also offers work placement for MBO and HBO students
where the campus is to be located, in an innovative effort to reduce the shortage of techno-
bio science and life science logically skilled workers in the job market. Technolab is
companies, Leiden High School housed in an inspiring location: in Museum Boerhaave.
and NCB Naturalis stand alongside
the faculty buildings. Young people are also made enthusiastic about the
Leidse Instrumentmakers School (LIS). The LIS provides
Leiden City of Knowledge offers a MBO courses on precision engineering with specia
comprehensive, lised areas in metals, glass, optics, laser technology
high quality and and mechatronics. A lot of scientific research would
contemporary be impossible without the equipment or measuring
educational setups produced by the instrument makers. That iswhat makes this unique school a crucial component of factory will be a unique place where laboratory assistants
Leiden’s DNA. can be trained.
The Bio Simulation Factory will be a factory where produc-
Leidse Instrumentmakers tion processes from the pharmaceutical and biotechnical
School (LIS) industries will be practiced. Every detail will be correct.
Through the research of Prof. Heike Kamerlingh The finished product will not be destined for the market
Onnes PhD (1852-1926) the physics laboratory as this simply an establishment where students, new staff
at Leiden University managed to gain a scien- and employees who need additional training will be able to
tific lead over the rest of the world in research practice.
at low temperatures. Kamerlingh Onnes was the
first to succeed in cooling helium so much that The Bio Simulation Factory’s concept fits perfectly in
it became liquid, and it was for this that he was Leiden’s overall vision of teaching and the employment
awarded the 1913 Nobel Prize for physics. It market. The presence of this distinctive concept will
is thanks to Kamerlingh Onnes that the Leidse further increase Leiden’s attractiveness as a location to
Instrumentmakers School (LIS) came into exis establish a company.
tence. He was the one who set the task of
training talented young people to become skilled Leiden considers it important to bind first-class workers
instrument makers. to it and retain them and it is for this reason it is including
Leiden Bio Science Park in its ‘BioScience@Work’ initia-
In the immediate vicinity there are university tive. The Bio Science professional is given the opportunity
laboratories and scientific companies with which of gaining experience and expertise at various companies
the school has excellent contact. In 2011 the LIS with the certainty of a permanent job. As a member of the
celebrated its 110-year anniversary. Bio Science Team, the professional is given intensive and
individual career counselling, education and training. This
means the professional’s knowledge and experience are
First class laboratory assistants used at (bio) pharmaceutical companies in
One of the core issues which the Life Science sector the region.
faces is the future shortage of qualified staff. In 2014
the new Leiden Bio Simulation Factory will be set up at
the Bio Science Park to resolve this problem. This test
132.4 KNOWLEDGE Excellent Research
The high quality and the extraordinarily innovative level
Leiden is knowledge. It is part of Leiden’s identity. The of scientific research and teaching is one of Leiden’s
presence of the University, High School and ROC make qualities. Leiden has a wide range of research facilities
Leiden a true city of knowledge. Knowledge insti- and is a meeting place for renowned scientists and
tutes attract talented people who are able to use their first-class research.
knowledge and creativity to give the city a boost. It is
therefore logical that the local authority, together with With ground-breaking scientific research and proper
its partners makes every effort to further strengthen science education, Leiden wishes to lay the founda-
the position of Leiden as a city of knowledge and tion for future innovations and new insights that can
to guarantee that the city gets the maximum benefit contribute to prosperity, welfare and culture. Inspired
from all knowledge production in the city. The City of
Knowledge Programme supports this aim.
Leiden has traditionally aimed at social innovation and
development in which education, research, business
people and public authorities jointly provide a new
source of prosperity. Leiden stimulates innovation in
various sectors, such as the space industry and Life
Science. The strong collaboration between public
authorities, business and knowledge institu-
tions supports the development of dynamic
and successful knowledge clusters. The
national and international exchange of
knowledge are central to this.by issues from the community teaching institutes and In Leiden, organisations such as LURIS, the Technology
companies are going to set to work developing new Transfer Office of the LUMC and Leiden University
knowledge. Posing a current questions gives rise to the facilitate the commercialisation of research, and this
search for solutions for tomorrow. effect is felt across the nation. Every euro that Leiden
University and LUMC invest in research, the exploita-
In Leiden, knowledge valorisation is encouraged in tion of knowledge, teaching and health care, earns
order to increase the region’s economic and social the Dutch economy almost € 4. Every job at Leiden
advantage. Research activities are strengthened and University or at LUMC creates 3.6 additional jobs in the
research output and effects are used by society to their Netherlands according to independent research 1.
economic and clinical benefit.
Research that is being carried out in Leiden is of major
importance to society. Scientists and doctors work
Leiden University Medical together to get a better understanding of diseases and
Center (LUMC) to develop new methods of treatment. The community
The Leiden University Medical Center is a of Leiden and those citizens that are in need of care
centre for medical innovation that works and support all benefit from the presence of the city’s
towards improving patient care through scien- knowledge institutions.
tific research. The Leiden University Medical
Center is of major importance in provoking Life science
innovations in the area of health care in the The Europe 2020 strategy emphasises the importance
region around Leiden. During the period 2007- of life science to the competitiveness of the European
2013 the LUMC has participated in 97 projects economy. Life science, research and development are
under the European Union’s Seventh Framework important spearheads in both strategies in order to
Programme. Out of these projects, 22 were reach the targets that have been set. At a national level
coordinated by LUMC. In most cases, the life science is mentioned as one of the top sectors:
LUMC also collaborates with highly acclaimed sectors in which the Netherlands excels at international
institutions (e.g. the universities of Oxford, level. The Province of South Holland and the Medical
Cambridge, Leuven and London). Delta municipalities of Delft, Leiden and Rotterdam
share this vision, underlining the economic value of
1 BiGGAR Economics (2012). Economic Impact of Leiden
University and Leiden Medical Center.
15life science. Thanks to innovation in (health) care and Leiden is one of the pioneers in the field of specialised
social support, Leiden responds more swiftly to trends business parks. In a time when segmenting was not
and developments in the city. The population of Leiden yet customary, the choice was made to build a park
is also involved in this as end user. that specialised in biomedical life science. On April 4th
1984, Leiden Bio Science Park was opened and was
Leiden Bio Science Park home to just three companies. Since then, the park
The Bio Science Park is the first grown-up Science has expanded to become the largest dedicated biome
Park in the area of Life Science. A such it is usually dical science cluster in the Netherlands and one of the
viewed as a Dutch asset among the international strongest biomedical science clusters in the world.
competition in this field. By grouping together medical,
technological and scientific innovation with entrepre-
neurship and business in the Bio Science Park, Leiden
leads the way in life sciences and medical develop-
ment. This is possible in Leiden because there is a
cluster of companies, scientific researchers and a
university medical centre.
1984 2010The presence of life science companies and research
institutes make Leiden Bio Science Park appealing to
start-up companies. The park offers various possibilities
to new companies. These facilities vary from ‘incubator’
buildings for new start-ups to individual or joint housing
for established companies. Here too, Leiden leads the
way.
At 13,000m 2 , The BioPartner Center Leiden is
the largest business centre for biotechnology
business start-ups in the Netherlands.
Many Research & Development initiatives have
emerged from the collaboration between knowledge
institutions and multinationals. Together they develop
and manufacture medicines, vaccines and more. Their
close vicinity to a medical faculty and a science faculty
contributes significantly to their success, as does the
strict sectoring.
The Leiden Bio Science Park provides Leiden with a
working example of what can be done to establish a
leading position in the field of innovation. The institu-
tions and companies that are established there are
willing and able to excel at a global level. Furthermore,
the results that were attained in the area of research
and medical development are hugely important to the
European community and the global population. The
park is therefore having a huge impact on society.
17In 2009 the park was proclaimed as the ‘best Holland Space Cluster was launched in 2013. In the
business park in existence’ due to the clustering coming years, Leiden will make an active contribu-
of teaching and research institutes, and the life tion to the aims of the cluster by carrying out excel-
sciences companies that specialise in research, lent research, among other things. With its key role in
development and the manufacture of medicines setting up the Holland Space Cluster, Leiden and its
at a single location. This was the icing on the institutions have taken on a leading role in the develop-
cake for the huge amount of work done by ments in space industry technology. This way, Leiden
companies and knowledge institutions at the is contributing to the Industrial Leadership that Europe
park and the city. The park was backed by the wishes to encourage in the space industry.
province of South Holland and the Ministry of
Economic Affairs.
2.5 ENCOUNTER
Space In Leiden, innovation is stimulated through the creation
Leiden University and ESA/ESTEC carry our first-class of connections and encounters in and around the city.
research in the field of space flight technology. The Leiden involves companies, teaching institutions, insti-
ESA/ESTEC establishment in Noordwijk, in the region tutes and its citizens in the developments taking place
of Leiden is ESA’s technological heart. in the city. Connecting people is something that is part
It was Leiden that took the initiative for the founda- of Leiden’s genetic make-up.
tion of the Holland Space Cluster. The Holland Space
Cluster is an initiative by the municipalities of Leiden, As city of knowledge and culture which has a central
Noordwijk, The Hague, Delft, the province of South role in the region, Leiden’s actions have an influence
Holland, Holland Rijnland, the Chamber of Commerce, on people beyond the city. Conversely, events outside
SpaceNed, ESA BIC, Leiden University and Delft Leiden influence the development opportunities within
University of Technology to strengthen the collabora- the city. It is for this reason that Leiden actively looks
tion between governments, teaching and knowledge for collaboration with various partners.
institutions, and business in the space industry. The
total number of associated companies is growing Triple Helix
steadily. Associated companies are spread across the Proper collaboration between government, education
Netherlands. and entrepreneurs has turned out to be crucial to theway innovation is encouraged Holland are official partners. Medical Delta aims to
in Leiden. Only recently, Medical stimulate innovation. New economic opportunities are
Delta started creating the Population created through the joint realisation of breakthroughs in
Imaging Infrastructure, a unique, large- medical science and health care and the development
scale, world-class research infrastruc- of new technologies.
ture. Companies can make use of the
research facility.
Medical Delta
The LUMC, the Erasmus Medical Centre
and the universities of Delft, Rotterdam
and Leiden have joined forces in the
Medical Delta partnership. The munici-
palities of Leiden, Rotterdam and Delft,
together with the province of South
Population Imaging
Medical Delta has built up a powerful position in
the field of Population Imaging research. Population
Imaging is the systematic collection and analysis of
medical images in large population cohorts. The aim of
the research is to discover biomarkers in order to fore-
cast and prevent the development of diseases. In order
to retain this strong position and build upon it, a unique
Population Imaging infrastructure has been set up at
the Medical Delta to obtain, store, process and analyse
image data.
19The infrastructure is being partially opened up to companies, offering opportunities for attracting national and international firms from a range of sectors and the establishment of new business in the region. The idea behind the population research projects is that more knowledge is created about the prevention and treatment of diseases, which has positive consequences for the population and the health care sector in general (people). At the same time the develop- ment of drugs is being stimulated so that in the future medicines that have less adverse effects can be brought to the market, which is better for the environment (planet). The project has a lead time but it will result in valorisation and product develop- ment (profit). This sustainable future perspective is being pursued by this project. The creation of the Population Imaging Infrastructure contributes to the objectives of the Dutch government and Europe with regard to research, innovation and health policy. In addition, it contributes towards the cooperation between government, educational institutes and entrepreneurs. The setup and use of this infrastructure has a positive effects on the regional economy, new business, employment, educa- tion, valorisation and the leading position of Leiden as a centre of excellence in the field of Population Imaging research.
Leiden Institute for
Brain and Cognition (LIBC)
The LIBC is an interfaculty centre for inter-
disciplinary research on brain and cognition,
based on collaboration between the Leiden
University Medical Center (LUMC) and the
Faculties of Humanities, Science, and Social
and Behavioural Sciences of Leiden University.
The LIBC is part of the university research
profile area ‘Brain Function and Dysfunction
over the Lifespan’.
The LIBC unites social sciences and the humani-
ties with medical science. In this respect, the social
sciences and humanities contribute to the core of
medical developments. They provide the expertise
required to solve social problems and safeguard the
human side of innovation.
The LIBC is involved with projects such as Population
Imaging en AThEME (see inset). A researcher attached to the
LIBC is responsible for the project coordination of AThEME for
which a contribution of almost five million euros from the European
Union’s Seventh Framework Programme has been set aside.
21The coming together of
entrepreneurs and scientists
Collaboration between scientists and companies is
important in bringing about innovation. Brainstorming
together about potential innovations offers the oppor-
tunity to understand each other’s needs and align them
more effectively to one another. The binding element
is that companies not only innovate, but they do so in
collaboration with other parties.
Leiden stimulates encounters between scientists and
companies. In the Leiden region, Leiden University,
Delft University of Technology, Leiden University
Medical Center, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, and TNO Prevention and Care Leiden are
working together to bring expertise and the facilities of the knowledge institutions together
and make them more accessible. It is for this purpose that the Business to Science
Portal was set up. B2SP brings business people and scientists together with the aim of
increasing innovation and valorising knowledge among SMEs. On the one hand, this leads
to greater powers of innovation among businesses,
more job opportunities, time saved and better market
opportunities. On the other hand this leads to an inten-
sification of the collaboration between the universities
and knowledge institutions as well as between the insti-
tutions and business.
With new knowledge we can develop new products
and services, or improve existing ones. For instance
the knowledge that is present at the institutions can
be focused on innovations, economic growth and
employment.Advancing The European Multilingual Experience The project Advancing The European Multilingual Experience (AThEME) takes an integrated approach towards the study of multilingualism in Europe by incorporating and combining linguistic, cognitive and sociological perspectives; by studying multilingualism in Europe at three different levels of societal magnitude, viz. the individual multilingual citizen, the multilingual group, and the multilingual society; by using a palate of research methodologies, ranging from fieldwork methods to various experimental techniques and advanced EEG/ERP technologies. This integrated approach towards the study of multilingualism is grounded in the idea that multilingualism in Europe has many facets. AThEME will cover the different forms of multilingualism in Europe by developing new lines of inquiry on regional/minority languages, heritage languages, languages spoken by bi-/multi-lingual speakers with communicative disorders, and languages spoken by bi-/multi-linguals at different stages of development and life. These lines of inquiry will provide (partial) answers to fundamental questions, including: What does it mean to be bilingual? How and why do people succeed or fail in learning another language? How can we help speakers maintain their regional/heritage language and reach proficient multilingualism? What are the reciprocal effects of multilingualism and cognition? Are there cognitive benefits of multilingualism for senior citizens? How does multilingualism “interact with” communicative disorders? Which societal factors have a major impact on successful maintenance of regional/heritage languages? Answers to these questions provided within the context of AThEME will provide a firm basis for assessing existing public policies and practices within major areas such as education and health and contribute to evidence-based policy-making. AThEME aims to raise societal awareness of multilingualism through building on the successful model of academic public engagement provided by the program Bilingualism Matters. 23
Connecting with the community are regularly orga
Leiden’s inhabitants feel a great involvement in their city nised in order bring the
and with each other. This involvement can also be seen special collections to
in the numerous citizen initiatives that exist to enhance life, an example of
the appeal of the city centre. These are people of which is the Night of
Leiden who give substance to their love for the city by Art and Knowledge.
thinking up and running all sorts of projects for Leiden
and their fellow citizens. International
collaboration
Culture provides a link and development opportuni- It is unthinkable that
ties. The offerings of knowledge and culture in Leiden Leiden should do
have a direct influence on the city’s prosperity. In an without international
international context, culture stimulates a good busi- collaboration. Since
ness climate that is so important in an open knowledge 1946, Leiden has been
economy. Without diversity in culture, there can be no twinned with Oxford,
innovation. Diversity and knowledge of culture can be England which makes this
found among Leiden’s academic faculties. It is also twinning one of the oldest
present in museums and specialised institutions. An in the world. The universities
innovative offering of culture has a positive influence on of Oxford and Leiden also work
employment in the city of Leiden. The quality and diver- closely together. Together with Oxford,
sity of knowledge and culture in the city is world class. Cambridge, Heidelberg and others, Leiden is
one of the ten founding members of the League of
New links between teaching institutes and culture European Research Universities.
are actively encouraged by the city of Leiden. In the
past years the local authority, the LUMC and Leiden Leiden University is continually on the lookout for inter-
University have worked together in this area. The national collaboration. Intradisciplinary and multidiscipli-
purpose of this collaboration is to provide science nary, within research networks, schools, institutes and
with a stage through the various cultural institutions, expertise centres. At a regional, national and interna-
including museums. It is all about presenting scien- tional level, there are various partnerships with other
tific work and conversely taking a scientific look at knowledge institutions and parties. Leiden University is
art. Exhibitions, workshops and knowledge festivals one of the leading research universities in the world.Scientific collaboration
HealthTIES (Technological The quality and diversity of Leiden’s knowledge places
Innovation and Economic it among the world leaders in this field. At Leiden
Success) is also a powerful Global, numerous research institutions and museums
example of innovative interna- combine their scientific and educational knowledge in
tional collaboration. It combines the the area of ‘Global and Area Studies’. By exhibiting its
strengths of communities, the univer- knowledge, it connects with partners in the commu-
sities of Leiden, Rotterdam and Delft - in nity as well as sharing it with the public. Leiden Global
the form of Medical Delta - with those of leading offers wide-ranging knowledge of all regions and
European universities such as Oxford, Zurich Barcelona cultures throughout the world. For this reason, it is a
and Debrecen. The HealthTIES Consortium was major partner among all disciplines where there is an
created to stimulate innovation in health care tech- international component and contributes to European
nology. HealthTIES is backed by the European Union. and global integration. Leiden Global offers expertise
and activities in the field of Global and Area Studies
to scientists, students, media, politicians and a wide
public of interested parties.
25Cultural collaboration 2.6 THE INNOVATIVE
International cooperation is also evident at a cultural ECOSYSTEM IN LEIDEN
level. Leiden’s museums regularly collaborate with inter-
national partners. The Municipality of Leiden makes significant contributions
to the innovation-ecosystem in the city. Leiden removes
Museum de Lakenhal works together with the Tate bottlenecks wherever they occur and in encourages
Modern Gallery in London, one of the leading museums people to make use of opportunities. Leiden sees talent,
in the world in avant-garde art. meeting and multidisciplinary collaboration as a breeding
ground for innovation, inspiration, integrality and interac-
NCB Naturalis collaborates with a range of partners tivity, and therefore puts it at the heart of its policies.
throughout the world, including the Consortium of
European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF). At CETAF the The Leiden Bio Science Park is a living example of where
most important European (natural) history museums the innovative ecosystem has been coming into its own
and botanical gardens are united. Given that the collec- for years. Businesses, (knowledge) institutions, LUMC,
tion at NCB Naturalis is one of the largest in the world, citizens: everyone is involved in the Leiden Bio Science
the museum plays a key role in the network. Park. It brings about new research, new ways of working
together and innovative ways of training and teaching. It
The National Museum of Ethnology regularly collab- brings about economic growth, employment and attracts
orates with international partners. For example, in new businesses and financing. It is great that the Leiden
2013/2014 the National Museum of Ethnology orga Lab on Health & Wellbeing is being run at the park. This
nised the ‘Longing for Mecca’ exhibition in collabora- is a beautifully innovative concept in co-creation with
tion with the British Museum in London and National health care and knowledge institutions, as well as end
Geographic. It was the first exhibition of this size in users: the elderly.
the Netherlands about the pilgrimage to Mecca. The
exhibition forms part of the celebration of the 400-year Leiden involves all parties in the city lays down connec-
existence of Leiden University’s chair of Arabic tions between them and promotes encounters. Leiden
Language and Culture. During the exhibition, various is committed to the social participation of all people of
activities relating to the subject will be organised, such Leiden, according to the basic principle of ‘everyone joins
as an ‘Oriental Night’ and a symposium: ‘Hajj: Global in’. Leiden places the emphasis on the involvement of
Interactions through pilgrimage’. young people by investing in excellent education.Leiden offers an environment which is attractive to live and work in, offering great facilities and inspiring initiatives like the Singelpark, which also happens to be a citizen-led initiative. Offering an innova- tive culture ensures that the city has developed a vibrant identity. By exhibiting knowledge, a link is laid between the social partners and this knowledge is also shared with the public. The Night of Art and Knowledge, where these facets are brought together, turned out to be a great success. Leiden creates policy in order to make optimum use of the city’s strengths. For this reason, projects such as the City of Knowledge Programme are used to attract and develop talent, innovative organisations and finance. Leiden creates conditions in which companies can flourish by introducing facilities and infrastructures which companies can use. This is why there are already so many national and international companies located at the Leiden Bio Science Park. In the coming years, Leiden will continue its commit- ment to making innovation possible. The research and innovation policy places more and more emphasis in large social issues and in Leiden this mainly concerns public health. Leiden also continues to be committed to each link in the innovation chain, from fundamental research to facilitating the introduction of products onto the market. For instance this will be reflected in the developments at the Leiden Lab on Health & Wellbeing. 27
3 Innovation by the city
‘We do what we are good at and if we do it well, we can grow into an even more attractive city.’ Leiden’s approach is integral and interactive. All parties in Leiden work together on innovation. Citizens, companies, knowledge institutions and the munici- pality work jointly on solutions to social problems. Leiden’s initiatives are in line with the European efforts towards an Innovation Union. The fact that Leiden’s projects are aligned with the European agenda is evidenced by the numerous European projects in which the city’s parties are participating. 29
3.1 THE CITY OF LEIDEN AS A
FACILITATOR OF INNOVATION
An international city of knowledge like Leiden needs a The city actively invests
government that joins it in thinking, creates possibilities in research and inno-
and provides investment where it is needed. The city vation projects and
of Leiden also actively contributes to strengthening its infrastructure:
innovative clout.
• structurally, € 500,000 per year
The city of Leiden creates support for collaboration in the Leiden Bio Science Park.
and acts as a connecting force between all its innova- • € 450,000 in the construction of
tion partners: knowledge institutions, companies and the BioPartner Incubator III, part of the
citizens. For instance the meeting between Leiden BioPartner Center Leiden, the largest business
council, Leiden University and LUMC on 12 January park for start-up firms in life sciences in the
2011 was actually where the City of Knowledge Netherlands,
programme all started. Leiden Lab on Health & • € 200,000 in the creation of the Bio Simulation
Wellbeing emerged as a result of a community initia- Factory, which, in addition to the local authority
tive aimed at getting involved parties around the table. contribution, also a received a € 1,500,000 state
The city often instigates and organises encounters and investment and € 2,500,000 from the
meetings with themes such as international education, European Regional Development Fund;
gifted people, revitalisation of the historic city centre, • € 200,000 in the Population Imaging project;
development of the Holland Space Cluster and a • € 450,000 in the Leiden Lab on Health & Wellbeing.
bio-based economy cluster.In order to create more
space for knowledge-in-
tensive business and scien- to set up business. For instance, Leiden has a total of
tific institutions, the city of 92 companies that hold more than 50% of a foreign
Leiden is also investing heavily parent company. Recently, Welch Allyn, a prominent
in the infrastructure and opening of company in the field of medical diagnostic instruments,
the Leiden Bio Science Park. Together announced that it is to establish its new headquarters
with the university and the communities for the EMEA region in Leiden.
of Leiden and Oegstgeest, there are plans for
expansions totalling 570,000 m 2 . This will make the The Leiden Co-financing Fund is used innovatively by
park suitable to work, live and relax. The province and the city to stimulate spin-off companies and valorisa-
the state are also making considerable contributions tion. With this fund, the city has made € 1,000,000
amounting to € 36,000,000. available so it can quickly respond to national and inter-
national subsidy opportunities for innovative projects.
The city will acquire life science and medical tech- Technolab and Lab on Health & Wellbeing are subsi-
nology companies in order to invest in the region. The dised by this fund and an application for the Bio Solar
combination of the top knowledge institutions (that Cells project is currently being dealt with.
cooperate well together) and the shared first-class
research infrastructure makes Leiden an attractive city
31Bio Solar Cells is a five-year research project
in which knowledge institutions and companies
work together. The project is being directed by a
management team and a Scientific Consultancy
Counsel and has a budget of € 42,000,000
from public and private sources. Bio Solar Cells Stimulating spin-off companies
carries out research into algae and bacteria, and valorisation
plants, artificial leaves and Solar Fuels for In Leiden, knowledge valorisation is encouraged in
sustainable energy. Through all these lines of order to increase the region’s economic growth and
research, Bio Solarcells wants to achieve its goal social advantages. The way Leiden manages to do
of generating energy from renewable sources. A this includes the creation of outstanding facilities for
number of part projects and research studies are student, young researchers and (young) entrepreneurs.
being carried out in Leiden, e.g. the Solar Fuels For instance at the Leiden Bio Science Park there are
Leiden demonstration project. The aims of this various facilities that support and assist start-ups and
part project are: spin-off companies. In addition, the presence of talented
and enterprising academics ensures spin-off potential.
• To develop a test facility for the upscaling and The Bio Partner Center Leiden is the largest business
application of catalysers; centre for red biotechnology business start-ups in the
• To demonstrate the unique knowledge of parti- Netherlands and the most important partner in stimu-
cipating parties to everyday applications; lating start-ups and spin-off companies. Companies
• To demonstrate the use of liquid hydrogen in, can work together on building a valuable network. Spin-
for example, public transport. offs are also created from within Leiden University. For
instance the activities of Leiden University’s Interface
Leiden excels in translating unique knowledge Physics research group gave rise to the Leiden Probe
into concrete (economic) applications. For this Microscopy BV. The reactor-STM (scanning tunnelling
reason, Leiden is the perfect location for carrying microscope) was brought to market by LPM BV. This
out a demonstration project of this kind. led to Professor Joost Frenken, the initiator of LPM BV.
being awarded the 2012 FOM Valorisation Prize.3.2 THE ATTRACTION
OF LEIDEN
With the shared infrastructure and collaboration
between LUMC and Leiden University, the excellent
research facilities and the vicinity of the Leiden Bio
Science Park with its pharmaceutical companies,
Leiden’s health research has reaped national and inter-
national praise. This has made Leiden tremendously
attractive for talented knowledge workers, companies
and investors and Leiden itself has become a meeting
place for renowned scientists and first-class research.
This can be seen in the number of various centres of expertise such as the Dutch
Centre for Nanoscopy (NeCEN). Leiden Cell Observatory and the MRI Gorter
Centrum. The presence of talented enterprising academics and the results of the
first-class research stated above, ensure spin-off potential. It attracts companies
that are able to turn the knowledge yielded by research into improving medical
technology and developing new medicines.
In the so-called BiGGAR Report (2011) research
was carried out into what the impact was on
the local, regional and national economies of
investments in the total package of Leiden’s
scientific research. The added value of the total
research programme at Leiden University and
LUMC is great: every euro invested in research
yields an added value of € 3.88 nationally.
33Through the major economic and social impact of
Leiden’s scientific research, governments and private
partners are keen to invest in Leiden’s new initiatives.
At a European level, (Seventh Framework Programme)
and at international level (Top Sector Policy), Leiden’s
research applications score strongly in terms of
economic and social valorisation. Leiden University
is a relatively powerful player in this area and uses
its good reputation attract a great deal of research
funding. Leiden University and the LUMC have aligned
their research programmes to place more attention on
using knowledge, the human capital agenda and the
social impact of research. This will give Leiden a good
chance in the new Horizon2020 of securing financing
for new medical breakthroughs.
The international pharmaceutical sector is also making
plenty of investments in Leiden’s research
into the development of drugs, therapies
and/or vaccines across a range of
disease areas.Made in Leiden 3.3 THE ACTIVE ROLE AND
INVOLVEMENT OF THE
The following are examples of Leiden’s PEOPLE OF LEIDEN
discoveries and research:
Leiden is proud of the people that make up the city.
• Herman the Bull, the first genetically modified The composition of Leiden’s population differs from
bull in the world. His descendants produce new that in other cities and it has a large creative class that
medicine in their milk.
includes scientists, artists, journalists and architects.
These are often prepared to invest in their city, as long
• Factor V Leiden, a congenital and hereditary
as you appeal to their professional expertise.
blood-clotting disorder, discovered at LUMC.
• Remicade®, a medicine by Centocor against The city also gives free rein to initiatives from citizens,
rheumatoid arthritis and several companies and institutions. These initiatives contribute
other autoimmune diseases. to knowledge, culture and the power of the city centre
as well as initiatives that strengthen the living environ-
• Quinvaxem®, the world’s first completely ment, solidarity and independence of its citizens.
liquid vaccine against five significant childhood
diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Stadslab (“city lab”), a special
hepatitis B and HiB, developed by Crucell. collaboration between citizens
and municipality
• The biotech firm Prosensa and LUMC are ’What happens in Leiden is special. Such as construc-
carrying out research into the treatments of
tive, partnership-like cooperation between citizens and
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
the municipality is truly progressive’.
• OctoPlus is developing Locteron® a medicine
against chronic hepatitis C. A few years ago, the municipality launched the slogan,
Leiden, City of Discoveries. This had spectacular
• DNAge is developing a medicine against prema- effect. People suddenly realised their city’s huge histo
ture aging diseases like Cockayne Syndrome. rical significance to science and art and were once
again proud of Leiden. It was through this feeling that
Stadslab came into being. In the summer of 2009,
35spurred on by an ambition vision for the future of Leiden Lab on Health & Wellbeing
Leiden’s public space, the Stadslab initiators orga (Leidse Proeftuin Zorg en Welzijn)
nised the City Summer Night’s Dream. It was an In June 2013, the Leiden Lab on Health & Wellbeing
invitation to all inhabitants to think about how the was launched. This Lab was set up by three of the
city could become more beautiful and exciting. The city’s organisations which are home to a great deal of
surprisingly large turnout of around two hundred expertise in health care: Leiden High School, TNO,
inhabitants was Stadslab’s starting signal. More than the Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition and the
two years later, Stadslab Leiden has grown into a Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing. Together
network of around four hundred volunteers. These are they are seeking the answers to issues that arise
people of Leiden who give substance to the love they through the ageing population and health care reform.
have for their city by thinking up and running all sorts Their ambition is that the people of Leiden and subse-
of projects for Leiden and their fellow citizens. quently other Dutch and European citizens will be
able to age healthily and get the best care possible.
All those involved agree that Stadslab has changed At the Lab, links are also made with Leiden’s health
the relationship between Leiden’s local government care training so that it can be improved as a result of
and citizens, but that is not its only merit. It is an new knowledge. Client organisations
interaction with an open administrative culture in are also involved in the
which this form of citizen participation can flourish. Lab’s development.
Citizens no longer expect total salvation from the It is an inspiring
town hall and the local authority no longer wishes to
determine everything. The people of Leiden have also
realised that you can take initiative yourself and the
local authority talks to people in the city, in particular
experts, before making plans.
The city council sees this form of public participation
as a blessing. For years many municipalities have
been doing their very best to create interactive policy,
but it has been in vain. Leiden is leading the way with
its ‘upheaval’ of the relationship between citizens and
administration.example of how citizens are involved in innovation. The 3.4 LEIDEN WORKS TOGETHER
initiative counts as best practice within the European
Innovation Platform on Active and Healthy Ageing. In Leiden, knowledge institutions, companies, the
public sector and its citizens take joint responsibility for
Private commissioning making innovation a success. By working intensively
Leiden is also innovative in the area of residential and on such a large scale Leiden is revolutionising
housing. This is a response by the city to the needs the way in which public and private partners innovate
of its inhabitants. Environmentally friendly measures together. In doing so, Leiden solves social problems.
are given due attention so that all aspects of the city’s
developments are sustainable. It means Leiden’s
residents are given the freedom to develop their
homes according to the concept of (collective) private
commissioning. As such it is the house buyer, rather
than the project developer, who determines how the
house is designed and built. This offers the advantage
that the development of housing is demand driven and
can be realised more economically.
374 Innovation due to the city
The historical character of the city centre is one of Leiden’s major forces behind its development, alongside its tradition of teaching, discoveries, imagi- nation and innovation. Leiden’s strength as international city of knowledge with a magnificent city centre and a wonderful offering of cultural heritage is inextri- cably linked to its history. The pattern of streets and canals that to this day lend their charm to the city centre has its origin in the early middle ages. The city and its culture invite encounter and exude a mood of freedom. It is this that creates the ideal climate for innova- tion. After all, it’s for a good reason that this historical city surrounded by its canals, rich culture and many museums has been an inexhaustible source of inspiration to artists and scientists for centuries. 39
4.1 CULTURE Leiden is one of the most appealing monumental cities in the Netherlands. You cannot take a walk through the city centre without being impressed by all the historic splendour. The city centre serves as a calling card for visitors from the region, for lovers of culture from the whole of the Netherlands and for tourists from home and abroad. Leiden’s culture is a timeless source of inspiration; from Rembrandt to today’s entrepreneurs, students and scientists. Leiden breathes culture. Culture in the public space, culture on stage, culture in the museum and in countless other places in the city. The city is inspi- rational and a stage at the same time. The presence of the many international students ensures colour and atmosphere. Thanks to the vibrant climate and crea- tivity in the city beautiful new things come into being in Leiden. Monuments With more than 3,000 monuments, Leiden distin- guishes itself in the field of culture. There are gardens, windmills, churches and city gateways, not to mention all the museums and theatres. The heart of Leiden is one big monumental centre. Everywhere you go in Leiden you will find traces of a glorious cultural and scientific history. For instance, in the Weddesteeg we find the birthplace of the Netherlands’ most famous painter: Rembrandt van Rijn. When Leiden got its
university in 1575, it was housed in the chapel of the former Dominican Convent which later became the Academy Building, standing on the Rapenburg, hailed by many as the most beautiful canal in the world. Leiden Academy Building The Kamerlingh Onnes Building and the Lorentz Institute bear the names of two of the thirteen Nobel Prize winners that have worked in Leiden. The Ehrenfesthuis, where Leiden professor, Paul Ehrenfest lived for a long time, welcomed countless leading scientists as guests. They signed their names on the wall of the guest room, which became a kind of guest book. On this wall, we can see the signatures of scientists that changed the world, such as Albert Einstein, Marie Curie and Niels Bohr. “Our city is culture and it breathes culture” The city of Leiden works together with its museums and the university to give shape to its ambition: “Leiden, the heritage capital of the Netherlands”. The link between knowledge and culture Culture invites encounter. In order to make more room for innovation and experimentation in knowledge and cultural policy the City of Knowledge Programme is being run. It is used by the city council of Leiden to connect knowledge and culture with each other. After all, it is academic and cultural life that determines the city’s charm. 41
You can also read
