Blue Values: Rotterdam’s Blue-Economy Landscape

This value map stems from analyzing the relations between stakeholders, value flow, value contribution and future possibilities based on an existing project Alga.farm, based in Rotterdam, in the Delta region. Alga.farm is the pilot project selected by Lori Lo, Rijk Roozenbeek and Siqi Chen, and it consists in the use of the spaces of the former Tropicana swimming pool to grow fresh spirulina.

The entire process, based on the pilot project, involves discussing the opportunities of plant use and plant-based products initially. However, through the analysis of this project, it became evident how plants are not the only important factor, but more important elements align with the environment and the stakeholders. For instance, the maker spaces become the medium bridging abandoned areas and innovative initiatives, in this case they become revitalized by being used to grow the algae. This showed a deeper and wider understanding of the interconnections between sea life, the environment, and the city. 

After delving deeper into the topic through various means, the project impact was classified into three scales (Drop-pilot scale/Ripple-city scale/Wave-wider scale). Subsequently, related cases from different aspects were individuated and the overall values that connect the city and its maritime environment have been defined, together with the value flow toward stakeholders.

The value map goal is to create an overview of the complex network inherent in a circular economy, where numerous connections are required. The value map visualizes and reflects the scope of the focused area, the types of projects, the value classifications (including the flow between different parties and stakeholders) and the timeline from the past to the future. Regarding the wider effects of locally grown algae itself, it creates opportunities to utilize the plant for production, including materials, healthy food, and nature regeneration. Additionally, it helps raise citizens’ awareness and prompts action. Simultaneously, residents can be made aware of how useful algae is when applied in different industries.

Moreover, by integrating a few associated projects related to the pilot project, the map shows the great potential of collaboration, involving both companies and citizens. These efforts are accelerated by governmental support and willingness on investment for such projects. Following this line of thinking, these project initiatives originally focused on presenting more sustainable technologies, which can be perceived as oriented toward a green economy. After the analysis and detailed assessment, a shift from the green economy toward the blue economy in different industries was highlighted. Common projects involve using algae for oxygen production or as an excellent protein source, aligning with sustainability goals on the green economy side. However, other projects, such as the Algae facade, aim to use fast-growing algae to generate materials for building panels, providing both heat energy and sun protection. This signifies the importance of initially caring for our environment and subsequently integrating economic aspects, symbiotically interacting with the environment in the process. 

To conclude, the pilot project and other related projects are used in the map to trigger a different way of thinking of sea life, plant use, and the relations of buildings in the city (e.g., the maker-space as a medium and the abandoned places being reused). The importance of reaching the sustainability goals, creating a green economy, is undeniable. However, the more ultimate goal is to create a harmonized living area, suitable for all creatures' symbiosis with the environment by implementing the blue economy ideas.