Living work of art represents the exploration of the future of the water sector
Generational and Radical Rethinking Of the Water sector (GRROW)
The significance of imagination
It is not every day that we stop and think about the significance of imagination in our society. In a rapidly changing world, it is important to consider the core values and principles for the future ̶ going beyond the rationale and reality of today. Imagination and connections play an important role here: how can we work together to take a critical and fresh look at what is needed for a liveable future?
This artwork symbolises the ambition to anchor the GRROW philosophy in the water sector.
Living artwork represents the GRROW philosophy
The artwork represents the GRROW philosophy by connecting two symbols ̶ the root and transformation.
The mathematical root sign refers to ‘radical’, a word that comes from the Latin ‘radix’, meaning root. In addition, the root symbolises the scientific method and the GRROW network function. Intergenerational therefore stands for connecting all generations, not just the new ones. The ‘arrow’ or ‘shift’ sign symbolises ‘rethinking’, or the initiation of a transformation. The native ivy (Hedera helix) fills the symbols. In this way, the GRROW philosophy is kept alive in the world of today and tomorrow.
The artwork was produced by researchers and technical experts at KWR. It was presented on 8 June 2023 during the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Water Sector Research (BTO).
Young thinkers explore the drinking water sector of the future
The GRROW project is part of the exploratory sector research for the water utilities. It is led by young professionals from the Dutch and Flemish drinking water sector. The project has drawn up long-term scenarios for the Dutch and Flemish drinking water sector. The core values for the future have been identified through a critical discussion and reconsideration of guiding paradigms and assumptions. Three scenarios have been elaborated on that basis. GRROW focuses on inclusive system innovation by working intergenerationally and furthering social learning in the sector.
