What might such a method be like?
"It won't be some brand-new theory. Instead, we will combine practical experiences of the ReUrbA partners; experiences with five totally different projects in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands. So the method will be a kind of structuring effort, which shows how to put some important urban regeneration principles into practice."

When is the ReUrbA² method finished?
"I hope it will never be finished. At the moment, just the ReUrbA partners are working on the method, but I hope that, in time, experiences from all directions find their way into the method's handbook. A large part of the method should be finished next summer. But even before that, we will publish parts on our website. These will be still unfinished, rough bits, but in this way we hope to provoke reactions, which we might use in further developing the method. Because that is one big advantage of the EU ReUrbA initiative: sharing experiences prevents the same mistakes being made again and again.

Aren't the ReUrbA partner-projects worlds apart? Large-scale projects versus small-scale ones, housing versus industrial parks. Where is the common denominator you'll need to develop a general method?
" On the contrary, these differences are useful. The very differences in scale, in goals, in approach and in financing between projects ensure that various experiences are combined. But, I admit, the difficult part is for each partner to view their own
experiences through the eyes of the others. We've hired a company, specialised in spatial development, to help us combining the partners' different experiences. "

The Dutch province of South-Holland is lead partner in the ReUrbA project. What does that entail?
" Firstly , ReUrbA of course is a European project with specific goals. Still, I'm happy with the Province of South Holland being lead partner; this province is densely populated , economic activity is very intensive, and in many areas spatial restructuring is inevitable. With a lead partner like that, you're immediately part of the day-to-day reality of urban regeneration. Because restructuring urban areas in South Holland is inevitable, both strategic planning and daring new approaches are made easier. So, we are working in a very stimulating environment."

Your enthousiasm makes me curious: what can you tell me about your background?
"After obtaining a degree in Urban Planning, I have been working on local and regional government planning. But above all, I'm fascinated by cities. In cities, so much is happening: contacts, cultural exchanges, development of all manner. Innovation is city-based. Whether you consider knowledge economy, health care, music or sports: the seeds of our future are present in our cities today. But they won't grow just by themselves, care is needed. Caring for cities means preserving characteristic properties and injecting regeneration at the same time. Caring means also daring to look towards the future. Cities will become even more important; the countryside will become more and more integrated into the city fabric. These developments fascinate me, and the great thing is that, working on the
ReUrbA2-project, I'm in the middle of it."