Ran Zhang on AESOP 2025 in Istanbul

The week-long congress was filled with insightful exchanges on the relationships between economic growth, environmental sustainability, and socio-spatial justice. What impressed me most was not only the conceptually pioneering research and initiatives presented, but also the way our Amsterdam-based planning community came together. By presenting collectively, we brought new imaginations from diverse fields to a different city and showed how vibrant our group truly is. The congress also offered a valuable moment to witness the brilliance of colleagues I may sometimes take for granted within the daily routine of our department.

Beyond the thought-provoking gathering, I also had a personally rewarding experience. From the keynote on post-growth urbanism, to the roundtable on commoning mobility and accessibility, and the track on mobility studies, I was inspired to reimagine planning as a crucial agent of change.

In my own presentation, I shared research on how social norms and social identity shape cycling behavior in the Netherlands under adverse weather conditions. I discussed how social norms around cycling and gear use, as well as the enactment of social identity across the life course, contribute to the widespread Dutch practice of commuting by bicycle in all weather. The exchange of feedback with fellow PhD researchers from Austria, Spain, Belgium, and the UK, and the recognition of common patterns across contexts was particularly rewarding.

The congress concluded with reflections on the current political crisis, which reminded me of the importance of keeping broader institutional frameworks in view, even while engaging deeply in mobility research.