Esther Agricola

Esther Agricola studied political sciences and art history in Amsterdam. She undertook research in the field of post-war urbanism and architecture and contributed to several publications. After working for The “post-war” Foundation, the High Rise Network and the Dutch Institute for Urban Planning and Housing in The Hague, she returned to Amsterdam to continue her research at the University of Amsterdam on the development of European capital cities. 

In 2001 Agricola was appointed director of the Dutch Expert Centre for Urban Renewal. She focused on creating a platform for public and private parties on innovation and learning by doing. 

In 2007 she moved to the City of Amsterdam where she became director of the department for monuments and archaeology. She focused on the cultural power of cities – a topic she missed most in the world of real estate and housing – on stimulating the co–operation between heritage, urban planning and economic development, and on placing transformation and reuse on the urban agenda. 

In 2014 Agricola became director of the department for urban planning and sustainability in Amsterdam, where about 350 experts are working on metropolitan issues like creating a smart city, the circular economy, open planning, the city and health, public spaces, food, creative industries, new economies, the urban fabric and connectivity. 

Speaking at the following WCEF2019 sessions:

Monday 3 June at 14.30-16.00: The circular economy in cities