My name is Ahmad Damaj, I’m from Lebanon and currently living in Rotterdam and studying a MSc in urban management and development at IHS at Erasmus University. I already hold a MSc in environmental technologies, but I’m always looking at opportunities to increase my knowledge and gain valuable experience. During my 3 years at the Lebanese ministry of environment, I had some exposure to educational and practical efforts taking place around the country to inject sustainable behavior and ideas into various sections of the population. In addition to that, my proposed ideas also stem from my experience in moving into Rotterdam and the problem that faced me and other students I’m in touch with.
My proposal consists of allocating specific areas (in universities or markets around Rotterdam) for students from all over Rotterdam to sell and buy used items. Creating a platform where direct contact between buyer and seller can happen greatly encourage students to adopt a more sustainable behavior.
To implement my plan, the municipality will help allocate certain locations and create an online reservation system that sellers can use to book their places and sell their items. And to make it more accessible, the municipality can provide logistical support for the students in moving their items to and from the market.
Moreover, a points system will be created, whereby buyers will be given points based on the amounts they spend. This could be used to determine who’s the student that exhibited the most sustainable behavior and reward them.