What is Start Making Sense?
Start Making Sense is our newest Team Science initiative at the Centre for BOLD Cities. Over the next 1,5 years, the project explores, questions, and brings transparency to how surveillance and sensor technologies are used in public spaces with a special focus on the development of a citizen-driven camera register in Rotterdam. This project is committed to democratic values: making the invisible visible, fostering public debate, enabling contestability, and ensuring that citizens have a say in what happens around them.
Why this Kick-off Matters
This event marks the official launch of Start Making Sense. We invite researchers, students, civic organizations, city officials, and interested citizens to come together, learn about the project’s goals and structure, and explore how they might contribute. Whether your interest is academic, activist, technical, or rooted in daily life, your perspective will matter.
The Kick-off is an open, public gathering. We invite everyone with an interest in how data and technology shape urban life. Whether you are keen to contribute, curious to learn, or simply want to listen and be inspired, we look forward to welcoming you.
Speakers & Highlights
During this first kick-off event, you can expect a panel talk including academic, journalistic, creative and civic perspectives with:
- Maarten Inghels known for The Invisible Route, which are maps for the pedestrian to cross the city without being seen by cameras. These maps show the extended network of cameras in cities and the last and only route to remain invisible in the controlled public space.
- Rens van de Plas known for his quest to find the last route without cameras in the city of Eindhoven
- And more soon-to-be-announced speakers
We end the program with celebatory drinks at the Nieuwe Instituut.
Who Should Attend
- Researchers interested in sensors, surveillance, data ethics, or urban studies.
- Students or educators looking for collaborative or applied projects.
- Civic organisations and community groups focused on datafication, transparency, privacy, or democratic governance in public space.
- Local government or municipal actors interested in policy and public engagement around urban technologies.
- Anyone curious about how digital tools shape urban life — even if you simply want to listen and learn!
Practical Information
Venue: Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam
Duration: 2 hours (15:00–17:00) with drinks afterwards
Registration: via the link
Cost: Free to attend