New dictionary for designers?
Researching the impact of language
What impact does language have on the city?
Join us on **Thursday 2nd April** to delve in to this fascinating topic, with author René Boer and spoken word artist Oukje van Merle.
DATE: Thursday, April 2nd
TIME: 19:00-21:00 (doors open from 18:30)
LOCATION: Het Veerhuis
Schiemond 50, 3024 EE, Rotterdam
COST: €4,70
We'd love you to come and join us. We'll be interrogating our language use, with contributions from René Boer, author of the book 'Smooth City', and spoken word artist Oukje van Merle. We're particularly interested in the insights from a multi-lingual approach, so we'll be holding discussion groups in English and in Dutch.
Tip: start listening now and thinking about the words you use and hear around you. What do they actually mean? Are they affecting how you look at the topic in question? (and once you start noticing, please contribute to our collective research! Read more below.)
We're also delighted to share that we will be hosted by the recently opened Veerhuis in Rotterdam, in their words: "a home for everyone who loves text, language and writing". This event is open to all (i.e. not women only).
*Your ticket includes a welcome drink at the Veerhuis. Further drinks can be purchased from the bar at your own expense. We'll provide some (free) snacks!
Background to the event and the Smooth City
René Boer describes the Smooth City as one where "nothing transgresses, nothing smells". Caused by a perfect storm of neoliberal urbanism, urban revanchism, and a smooth turn in society, the smooth city 'undermines the democratic nature and emancipatory potential of cities while leaving almost no space for anything that is experimental or incompatible with dominant norms' (reneboer.net). It is a city of control, exclusion and blind consumption.
Our book review and follow up article about René Boer’s book sparked questions about the language designers use and how this may contribute to (re)producing the Smooth City. In the summer of 2025 we received start funding from the Stimuleringsfonds to investigate this and how it could take a different form.
Call for contributions
We're particularly interested in your experience with language. In the coming weeks we'd like you to start reflecting on the words you hear around you. Do colleagues talk about 'citizens' or 'users'? How often do you hear the word 'efficient', and what does that actually mean when you think about it? Which other words crop up and start raising questions in your mind?
Please share what comes up! We'll be gathering ideas and input about words in advance of the event on the 9th April. We’d really appreciate it if you could fill in the short form below with words that you think we should discuss.
Contribute to our collective research by clicking here
Looking forward to seeing you on the 2nd April!
This research is supported by the Stimuleringsfonds NL.