Rotterdam in Motion

METRO010 takes readers on a journey through Rotterdam’s past and into its possible futures. Written by Abdelkader Benali and initiated by Ellen Schindler of De Zwarte Hond, the book traces the city’s pulse, from its watery origins
to the post-war rebirth, showing how generations have shaped Rotterdam together. Richly illustrated and deeply human, the book reminds us that a city is never finished: it is written, built, and reimagined every day by everyone who calls it home.

Architect Winy Maas invites you to see Rotterdam through his eyes on a six-kilometre route linking icons and hidden corners. Created by Stichting Tramhuis,
the walk blends story, sound, and cityscape into a moving exploration of how Rotterdam came to be, and where it might go next. Download the podwalk or follow the booklet, and rediscover a city in constant motion.

FENIX is a museum about migration: about setting out, arriving, and finding home. Rising from a former warehouse on Rotterdam’s harbour, it tells the universal story of movement and belonging through art, history, and personal voices. Initiated by the Droom en Daad Foundation, FENIX is privately funded yet deeply public in spirit, enriching the city’s cultural landscape with a place where journeys meet and new connections begin.

In Rotterdam, the city walls speak. Along the West-Kruiskade and 1e Middellandstraat, murals by artists from around the world have transformed the neighbourhood into an open-air museum. Once known for its rough edges, this district now celebrates diversity in colour, texture, and story. Here, art belongs to everyone, on street corners, above cafés, and in the daily rhythm of urban life.
Photo by Hester Blankestijn

Every January, Rotterdam becomes a global meeting point for filmmakers and dreamers. The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) champions daring voices and new visions, expanding how we see the world through cinema. Beyond the festival’s screenings, IFFR nurtures independent talent year-round—proving that film here is not just an art form, but a catalyst for change and conversation. 
Photo by Jan de Groen

From Rotterdam’s Het Nieuwe Instituut came a bold idea: what if organisations shared power with the living world? Researcher Klaas Kuitenbrouwer helped plant the seed of Zoöp, a model where every member, human or not, has a voice. Each Zoöp appoints a “Speaker for the Living” to represent nature in decisions. Born in Rotterdam, the idea is now taking root across the Netherlands, growing a new way of working with life instead of against it.