The partners from the Northern Randstad, Southern Randstad, the Brainport region and the Central Government are drawing up a Spatial Economic Development Strategy (REOS). This is aimed at strengthening the international competitiveness of the Netherlands. Within this project, Urhahn has conducted design research into Interaction Environments.

This study underlines the importance of encounters and interaction for innovation, and therefore for the competitiveness of the Netherlands in the international arena. Urhahn outlined the challenge for the Netherlands by distinguishing five types of environment, such as station districts, campuses and city centres. With a combination of desk research, analysis of various national and international best practices and design research, Urhahn drew up a list of ten lessons that can help to strengthen interaction environments. These lessons are easy to understand and to apply on location, giving the REOS a toolbox that can genuinely improve quality.