NWA Route Smart Liveable Cities

Pressure on the liveability of cities, as well as in urban and rural areas, is mounting. We face urgent social, environmental and digital challenges, involving complex and interdependent issues such as the climate crisis, digital autonomy and the energy transition. The Smart, Liveable Cities route of the Nationale Wetenschapsagenda (NWA) explores how such areas can be made future-proof to tackle the above-mentioned challenges.

Since 2017, Waag Futurelab has been responsible for the management of the Smart, Liveable Cities route. We support collaboration and knowledge-sharing on this theme among societal, scientific and public stakeholders. In 2026 and 2027, our work will focus on the following:

Connecting science and society


Every year, Waag organises Stadskenners. This is an event where citizens, grassroot initiatives, civil society organisations, policymakers and scientists come together to discuss the theme of ‘smart, liveable cities’. Through this platform, we facilitate collaboration between the academic world and society. In 2026, Stadskenners will take place at Hyperlink during the Public Spaces Conference in Amsterdam.

Explore funding opportunities 

In recent years, various funding opportunities have been secured for the route’s knowledge chain-wide network. A number of research projects are currently underway. Over the next two years, we will coordinate new applications based on upcoming funding rounds from the NWO. We will do this in close collaboration with the route’s steering group. We also share funding opportunities outside the NWO with the network.

Strengthening the network

The route’s extensive network, comprising researchers, policymakers, citizen scientists, businesses and civil society organisations, has grown in recent years and continues to expand. Within our current projects, we ensure that we continually engage new stakeholders and interested parties in the network, thereby further expanding it. In doing so, we pay particular attention to civil society organisations and representation from across the Netherlands.

Subscribe to the NWA Smart Liveable Cities newsletter

Nationale Wetenschapsagenda 

The Smart, Liveable Cities route is one of the 25 routes of the Nationale Wetenschapsagenda (NWA). This is a research programme established by the NWO. The routes are designed to highlight and research key scientific, societal and economic issues in society.

Since 2017, Waag has been responsible for the management of the Smart, Liveable Cities route. We play a connecting role between various networks, individuals and organisations active in the themes covered by the route. We ensure coordination between applicants submitting project proposals, bring relevant parties into contact with one another and facilitate knowledge sharing – both amongst themselves and with the NWO.