Inholland Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab Amsterdam North
In January, the ULT Lab Amsterdam Noord moved to our new location, at PoPPo https://poppo.nu/ in the Winkelcentrum Boven ’t Y https://boventy.nl/. This temporary “department store of the future” (in the former Blokker location) offers space for education and daily interaction with entrepreneurs, residents and visitors.
Virtual Visit of the lab through Digital Twin Take a virtual visit through the new lab learning space (with thanks to our Inholland technical department):
PoPPo Ground Floor: Vintage clothing, café, and local food entrepreneurs. https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=YTjUWXJkxz4
ULT Lab Learning Space (PoPPo, First Floor: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=1Y2y1DSuM2i
- Classroom: an interactive space for our lab learning sessions.
- ‘Brown café’: for creative sessions and workshops (available for hire).
- Event space: for presentations, workshops, interactive sessions and parties (available for hire).
- Flexible and creative learning environment
The rough urban space generates creative energy. Our learning here is more visible and connects directly to the daily interactions of the neighbourhood outside the front door. The Lab is now physically and socially more present, as we continue to experiment, listen, and learn together.
360 images of Buiskslotermeerplein
Our learning activities are embedded in the Noord area, in and around Buikslotermeerplein. To visit the surrounding area, click on these 360 photos. (Images Rinke van Zanden & Nico Grijpink, Inholland)
Highlights of the ULT Lab 2025
Building trust in small steps
Over the past year, the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab in Amsterdam Noord has continued to grow its presence in the neighbourhood – we try to do this quietly, consistently, and always in collaboration with others. Following our 10-year milestone in 2025, the Lab builds on a long-term commitment to Noord, shaped by relationships, local knowledge, and a shared ambition to contribute meaningfully to the area.
Rather than working on the neighbourhood, we aim to work with it. Together with residents, partners, students and the municipality, small-scale interventions are explored as part of a broader transition towards regenerative tourism. We aim not only to reduce harm, but to give back – to the place, to the communities, and to the local ecosystem.
Throughout 2025, students developed and tested ideas rooted in this principle. This involved concept development, service design, and real-world experimentation. Learning took place both in the classroom and on the square. Moments such as the Night Market and the projection evening in December showed how co-created initiatives can help activate space, spark encounters, and foster a greater sense of connection and safety on Buikslotermeerplein. What started as a small and intimate gathering is now set to return in May 2026, building on the energy and insights from the gathering.
The Lab also remained closely connected to wider conversations. Contributions to public dialogue—such as student participation in events at Pakhuis de Zwijger—highlighted how local experiments in Amsterdam Noord relate to larger questions around livability, tourism pressure, and regenerative city-making. We’ve had recent visits from the UK, our long-term partners from DeMontfort University, with a group of Chinese students. Also, 30 international partners joined us for a morning walking tour of Noord and a visit to our new location at PoPPo.
