‘I see it as my mission to bring together different parties and knowledge, so that something beautiful can emerge’

Professional Doctorate (PD) in a nutshell
A PD is something new in higher education. In addition to the PhD in academic education, you can now also obtain a doctorate in higher education. A pilot group from various universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands is currently testing what exactly a PD is or should be and how it relates to a PhD. During a PhD you focus solely on research, with a PD you have four roles, namely as a researcher, changemaker, innovator and professional. 

The most important thing is that you set something in motion in the professional field. In addition to working on the PD project, you also take courses, have peer consultations, and keep a reflection report and portfolio. 

Street culture and sports 
Peter van der Aalst focuses on the domain of Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality and researches how street culture and sports can contribute to an attractive and lively city for residents and visitors alike. In terms of education, he is supervised and assessed by Jeroen Klijs and Greg Richards. On the practical side, Peter receives guidance and feedback from Frens Frijns, director of the 013 music venue, and Hildegard Winnubst-Assies, director of Breda Marketing. 

Organisations such as the 013 music venue and Breda Marketing benefit from young creative people feeling at home in the city and wanting to stay. ‘If these young people – this ‘creative humus layer’ – leave the city, then the city dries up, that's my theory,’ says Peter. ‘The key is how to keep young creative talent involved. They need to continue to feel at home and have the space to develop their creativity. This not only benefits them, but also ensures a lively, inclusive and attractive city.’ 

Many young people are active in the street culture and sports scene. Think, for example, of skateboarders, breakers, freerunners, and young people who play panna. Many cities want to engage with these young people but struggle to reach them, support them, and foster their connection to the city. ‘I do research and talk to the creatives and performers, but also to the facilitators and policymakers,’ says Peter. 

Peter is currently conducting expert interviews with street culture and sports organisations, with the various target groups and with policymakers, but he is also busy with focus groups, coding and analysing. He is mainly focusing on the cities of Tilburg, Breda and Rotterdam, but he has also been to Copenhagen to talk to experts. ‘The main goal is to research how the different layers of a city's creative ecology, from the bottom-up communities in the underground scene to the street culture organisations and policymakers, can best work together to create value for the communities and the city as a whole. You want to create something that works for young creatives and the city. I see it as my mission, in my role as a changemaker and innovator, to bring these parties together, to learn to understand each other's language, to share knowledge about what the different parties want and need and, ultimately, of course, to strengthen each other to create an ever better city. Of course, many wonderful things are already happening in the various cities, but there is really a lot to be gained by bringing the worlds of bottom-up communities and decision-makers and policymakers together. 

Barrier to the city 
‘Fortunately, I am well received by the group of creatives and performers, despite the fact that I have not been young for a while now. In that respect, I reap the benefits of my experience and network in underground and pop culture and all the activities I undertake in that area in addition to my job at BUas. In addition to locations such as a skate park, I also want to go to neighbourhoods where interesting things are happening, but where young people have less access to the city centre. For example, I was in Tilburg Noord. When you are twelve, crossing the canal to go to the city is a barrier, not to mention the financial resources you need to be able to do something in the centre. That’s why it is important to have more activities available nearby, within the young people’s own neighbourhood,’ Peter explains.

On stage 
Because of this research, Peter has been asked to speak as a keynote speaker at the Urban Sports Congress in Almere in June of this year. This is a network of European cities that work together to find out how they can better connect with young people and their lives and wishes, and how they can use street culture and sports in such a way that the communities recognise themselves in it and it also yields value for the city.

Peter uses this PD to share the knowledge he has gained. He has written an article for NRIT Trendrapport and is working on an article for the new edition of Uncover Magazine. As soon as he has progressed further in his research, he plans to write an academic article as well. 

‘But it's more than just doing research. We are really in a pilot phase with this PD, so we are also figuring out how this process works. But in the meantime, a lot is being done. For example, I am having talks with the municipality of Breda about how I can apply my knowledge within the municipal apparatus, and the municipality of Tilburg and I have talked about a possible street culture conference next spring. My main goal is to bring the parties together and get them talking to each other. I act as a kind of connecting link between the underground scene, professionals, and policymakers. And the more knowledge I develop, the more I can obviously bring to those talks.’ 

What are the benefits for BUas? 
This PD pilot gives BUas the opportunity to work with other universities of applied sciences to research the added value of a PD for education and practice. A great deal of new knowledge is being gained and the business and education network is being expanded. Peter applies his knowledge to modules of the Master Strategic Events Management, but has also given a guest lecture for the minor in Inclusive Placemaking, for example, and he will soon be involved in the propaedeutic phase to share his knowledge with the students. Last June he gave a presentation at the ATLAS conference and at the World Leisure Congress, which will take place in August 2025, he will organise a session together with a number of colleagues and foreign guests. 

In addition to his PD, Peter van der Aalst is also an MT member and lecturer. He is also a member of the Supervisory Board and board of the Roadburn Festival, Blind Walls Gallery, Turf Event, and Mass Productions. He is also on the committee of Brabant C and the ASML Fund, which subsidises cultural projects in the Brainport region.

‘I'm busy, but I truly enjoy everything I do – and the combination of all these activities only reinforces each other.’ 

Interview by Elles van Steenis