Collaboration :
The Connected River Project
InnoWaTr Centre of Expertise
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Waterways & waterfronts are vital for
the North Sea region ’ s ( NSR )
economy , ecology , & quality of life .
This multiple interest leads to issues
like conflicting use , accidents , &
pollution . Such issues increasingly
occur in shared Waterways &
waterfronts of the NSR as well . This is
caused by growing pressures exerted
by urban development commercial
recreational other activities
including inland waterway transport
inland port operations
Time to Innovate | Traditionally ,
responsible authorities apply a static
approach to respond to such issues &
pressures .
New Approach | Connected River
boosts capacities of multi -
stakeholder ecosystems to deliver
services that guarantee safety
accessibility and livability at shared
Waterways Waterfronts in the NSR
It does so by bringing diverse
partners and stakeholders together in
6 pilot areas
Thomas Brauner , Logistics Initiative Hamburg
Based on the pilots ’ lessons learned , Connected River delivers a
playbook ( strategy ) to maximize the uptake and transferability of the
Flow Forward approach .
This sets out the values , processes , and procedures for a fit - for - future
response to challenges that shared waterways and waterfronts face .
Check out the Flow Forward platform
or the Starter Kit .
Flow Forward is a short cycle innovation
approach where added value for ( end )
users is realized in collaboration with
partners through experimentation &
learning . This approach combines Design
Thinking with elements of Lean Startup &
Agile Design .
This way solutions are developed with
value for all people involved . Solutions
are continuously tested and adjusted in
short experiments
Key in the Flow Forward approach is the
involvement of both users as well as
stakeholders during the whole innovation
process
Find below 3 examples of Connected
River experiments & solutions developed
in the project :
In
Amsterdam ( NL ) , a prototype
navigation app on the water ;
In Hamburg ( DE ) , an app - based
interactive scavenger hunt & company
tour ;
In
Vordingborg DK a social sauna
explores how the area can be
activated as a social meeting place
The components of the so - called Flow Forward Approach are collectively developed
and implemented to mobilize multistakeholder - based ecosystems along shared
Waterways & Waterfronts , focusing on user - centered and agile innovation
approaches . Furthermore , handbooks and roadmaps as well as a playbook are
created to adequately respond to future challenges and likewise to accelerate the
uptake of digital / smart solutions .
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Learning Cycles