Lector De ondernemende regio
Dr. C.J. (Cees-Jan) Pen
Dr. Cees-Jan Pen seems to have a broad and impactful approach to the intersection of urban development and sustainability, focusing on vitalizing city centers and addressing real estate challenges. His work bridging the gap between research and practical application is key to making meaningful change in the real estate sector. What do you think is the most important challenge in ensuring sustainable urban transformation while keeping the needs of businesses central?
Dr. Cees-Jan Pen seems to have a clear vision of how research and practice can align more effectively. He believes that practice should articulate its needs more clearly, enabling researchers to focus on practical, applicable work. How does he envision this improved communication between practice and research unfolding, and what role does he see academic institutions playing in facilitating this process?
Career
Cees-Jan Pen studied social geography at the University of Groningen. He obtained his PhD with the dissertation 'What Drives Companies'. After his PhD, he worked for several years as a senior advisor at consultancy firm DELIJN, then spent four years at the Economic Affairs department of the municipality of Zaanstad. From 2006 to 2010, Cees-Jan served as a councilor in the municipality of Haarlem. Additionally, he was a program manager at Platform31 for seven years.
Consultancy
Cees-Jan Pen provides advice on topics like work locations (business parks, offices, and retail), urban and regional economics, and real estate. He currently represents Fontys in the program committee for Surf-Verdus (NWO) and is an independent member of SER Noord-Brabant. He also sits on the Advisory Board of VOLOP Brabant and Brabant Partners, and is part of the scientific board of Platform31. Additionally, he serves as an external committee member for RLI advice. He frequently publishes and writes columns in regional media, Vastgoedmarkt, and Cobouw.
Publicaties
Cees-Jan Pen is als lector De ondernemende regio is heel actief in de media en betrokken in de regio. Regelmatig publiceert hij artikelen, wordt hij geïnterviewd en is hij als spreker betrokken bij evenementen. Op de lectoraatspagina vind je een totaaloverzicht van de publicaties en optredens.
