Campus development in South Holland

Vision Campus Development South Holland

South Holland has the highest density of campuses in the Netherlands, with a diverse landscape of innovation ecosystems. There are dozens of campuses in various stages of development, crucial for the challenges in economic renewal, spatial development, education, the labour market, and societal transitions. To better utilise innovation campuses and use campus policy as a coherent approach, Dialogic was asked by the Province of South Holland (PZH), Rotterdam The Hague Metropolitan Region (MRDH), and Economic Board South Holland (EBZ) to develop a joint view on campuses and facilitate this process. Luuk Brouwers and Pim den Hertog have formulated this vision in consultation with the three clients in five working sessions. The vision, as published, can be viewed here: Campuses as accelerators of growth, innovation, and talent development.

Innovation campuses are defined areas where researchers and businesses collaborate on research and development (R&D). They act as hubs for transforming ideas into concrete innovations and new economic activity. The strength of a campus arises from the presence of one or more major knowledge holders, such as universities or R&D centres of international companies. Campuses offer a unique opportunity to enhance economic and social dynamics and address three key challenges in South Holland: increasing R&D investments and innovation, improving labour productivity, and supporting societal transitions.

Therefore, in collaboration with PZH, MRDH, and EBZ, four concrete action perspectives have been developed. These perspectives flesh out the joint view on campuses and provide more clarity to the field regarding the efforts expected from PZH, MRDH, and EBZ. This view on campuses was explicitly not an action plan or blueprint for the South Holland campus landscape but rather a guiding document for the field.

1. No wrong door principle Campuses can approach both PZH, MRDH, and EBZ. They actively inform each other about campus and policy initiatives and connect campus initiatives where possible to avoid duplications and fragmentation.
2. Clarifying the role and commitment of South Holland campuses PZH, MRDH, and EBZ clarify their position and commitment in the field of campuses for stakeholders. Therefore, the legitimacy of a campus initiative is determined as much as possible in advance, and the relationship of a campus (initiative) to the existing portfolio is examined.
3. Enhancing connections between campuses and between campuses and policymakers Campuses can learn from each other's experiences, expertise, and knowledge. PZH, MRDH, and EBZ therefore encourage collaboration and regular dialogue between campuses. Information and knowledge exchange between campuses and between campuses and policymakers are also enhanced.
4. Better positioning of South Holland campuses in the landscape PZH, MRDH, and EBZ will further work on the "broad approach" of campuses as change agents, positioning campuses as part of (more holistic) area-specific development. Additionally, they actively highlight the importance of South Holland campuses at both national and European levels.

The infographic below elaborates on the campus vision.