Over the last year, the PortCityFutures team has had many discussions and produced multidisciplinary research relating to port cities. The rapid and exciting exchange of ideas within this group has so far been represented in blog posts, academic articles and a series of short films. Since the beginning of PCF, the Centre has also aimed for the team to export its generated knowledge into education programs, notably to Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) on challenges in delta regions: one on port cities and one on water awareness.

The production of the first MOOC on port cities is at full steam. It is expected to be published on the EdX platform at the end of May. It addresses issues of culture in port cities, and teaches the learners – both university students and professionals in the field – about stakeholder networks, present day challenges, and value-based tools on how to deal with these challenges. The MOOC on water awareness expands on the first one and further explores the role heritage and culture plays in the sustainable development of delta regions. It is expected to go online in September 2021.

The course and will start on May 26th.

The port authority of Bahía Blanca (CGPBB) signed an agreement with the local organization “Ser Comunidad” to finance housing improvements. The collaboration will be based on accessible credits for families in special conditions. The Board of Directors of the CGPBB decided to allocate an initial budget to start with the implementation of this community programme which would allow the execution of about 100 microcredits destined to the different housing improvements, including construction materials or installations. The program also includes technical assistance in the building process. This proposal for assistance to the neighbourhoods surrounding the Port is one of the main lines of work of the White Plan 2020/2030.

One of the best ways to bring citizens closer to the port is to foster the local maritime culture. In Oslo (Norway), the port authority has signed an agreement with 15 actors with activities for children and young people, providing a total of 35 000€ of financial support to these institutions. In Brest (France) the new National Lighthouse Centre is being developed. A call for applications invites artists to present a project with a budget of 41 000 € to enhance the design of the new centre. In Bahía Blanca (Argentina), the 2nd edition of Puerto Cultural (Cultural Port) has been launched. The program will include during the following months many cultural events that will be available in the youtube channel of the Port Authority. Puerto Cultural has the dual purpose of allowing local families to enjoy local cultural proposals, free of charge and without leaving their homes, and at the same time to support local artists in a time when large events remain restricted. In Piombino (Italy), on 15th April, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m, the book ‘Storia illustrata di Piombino’ on the history of the port city, will be presented online as part of the “Port Center Thursdays” initiative, that fosters port cultural events connected to the local Port Center.

^{(front page image: © Valenciaport, 2021)}

The EU Commission’s target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 also applies to ports. But beyond the slogans, what progress is being made? A number of European ports have already published their results. Valencia (Spain) has cut its emissions by 30% in ten years, despite seeing growth in traffic. Further north, Rotterdam (Netherlands) has announced a 27% fall in its emissions over the last four years. Meanwhile, Port-Esbjerg (Denmark) is aiming for a 70% reduction by 2030.

^{(front page image: © Agence djiboutienne d’information)}

Djibouti’s development strategy has been attracting attention for some time. Having hosted the African Ports Forum in 2020, the small coastal state has announced plans for a new business district in the capital’s old port and a future energy hub in Damerjog. The two main priorities are logistics and renewable energies, with the country set to develop a solar plant and wind farm. It is also looking closely to biomass, and aims to become Africa’s first 100% green country.

The City of Helsinki (Finland) is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2035. It launched an international competition for the city’s heating system, which accounts for over half of its total emissions. A total of 252 proposals were submitted from 35 countries, and eventually whittled down to a shortlist of ten finalists. The four winning entries have now been announced, and cover a wide range of solutions, including heat pumps, solar power, geothermal energy, floating seawater reservoirs, artificial intelligence, and more. The results also highlight the need to combine partial solutions and develop colloboration between different stakeholders.

The regeneration plan designed by Haworth Tompkins will turn an industrial wasteland on Albert Island in the Newham Royal Docks into a start-up and educational hub. It will also include warehouses, shops, and 16 affordable homes. A later phase of the project will refurbish a marina and create a new boatyard, pedestrian promenade, and more. Work is due to start in 2022.