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Air quality is a key topic in the Netherlands, notably in light of the presence of major polluters such as the ships and industries associated with the port of Rotterdam. This unhealthy environment coincides with unequal socio-economic patterns. A comprehensive discussion on the multiple intersections among air-pollution, public health, and socio-economic differences in Rotterdam specifically, and in port cities in general is missing. The situation is complex and requires thoughtful debate among a broad group of stakeholders based on concrete and traceable information. For example, the negative effects of air pollution in coincide with poverty and low education levels in South Rotterdam, yet, the same level of pollution is balanced with high income and other benefits in the area of Pernis, located close to the refineries.
ENTROP&DEWARTFilms/Inbetween Video Productions aims to bring this discussion into the broader societal debate and has worked with scholars from TU Delft (Architecture and Computer Science) and public health of Erasmus MC (Public Health). These scholars have expertise working on a COVID-19 related spatial data platform to visualize and map air pollution dynamics and socio-economic datasets in the Rotterdam region on a spatial data platform, as well as with scholars who are currently working on data platform as part of the European Lighthouse grant Bauhaus of the Seas Sails provided input into advanced methods on crossing spatial data (https://portcityfuturesatlas.online/delta-en). We have collaborated on script, film making, locations, and have filmed several sequels with experts in different locations in the port of Rotterdam and engaged scholars in the making of a documentary that translates this expertise into narratives for and with people. We have made timelapses of environmental pollution through recordings from windy.com. The film is currently being finalized and will be broadcasted in September 2023 on national TV/ONS TV. The trailer is available on https://vimeo.com/835413008?share=copy
The reclaiming of street spaces for pedestrians during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as on Witte de Withstraat in Rotterdam, appears to have multiple benefits: It allows people to escape the potentially infected indoor air, limits accessibility for cars and reduces emissions. Before ordering their coffee or food, people may want to check one of the many wind and weather apps, such as windy.com: These apps display the air quality at any given time, including, for example, the amount of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a gas responsible for an increasing number of health issues, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Ships and heavy industry in the nearby Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport, exacerbate air pollution in the region. Not surprisingly, in 2020 Rotterdam was ranked as one of the unhealthiest cities in the Netherlands, according to research on the health of cities conducted by Arcadis.
Reducing air pollution is a key target for the Port Authority and the City of Rotterdam. Missing, however, is widespread awareness among citizens about how air pollution links to socio-spatial development, and thus to the future of the port city cluster of Rotterdam. To encourage awareness and counter the problem of "out of sight - out of mind," filmmaker Entrop&DeZwartFIlms together with ONSTV/NostalgieNet, and Rotterdam Veldakademie, are collaborating with historians of the built environment and computer science and public health from TU Delft and Erasmus University working on a spatial data platform to visualize air pollution dynamics and socio-economic datasets in the Rotterdam region. Following discussion of findings with key stakeholders, we will make a pilot TV-documentary. The documentary, discussed first with Rotterdam citizens, will set the stage for more documentaries on European and international cities, focusing on the health effects—positive and negative—of living and working near ports in the past, present, and future.