The Netherlands’ Olympic Plan 2028, already dubbed the Dutch Approach in international circles, seeks to use the power of sports and the hosting of the 2028 Summer Olympics to put the Netherlands squarely on the international map. The plan is unique because of the exceedingly long run-up period, the aim being to book maximum results before as well as after hopefully securing the bid to organize the Olympic Games in 2028.

This strategy in stages distributed over the years creates opportunities to find the best means of physically accommodating the Games, to hitch these means to other tasks and to engage in dialogue on these issues. Design plays a crucial role in all of this, a role that changes with each set of circumstances.

The Netherlands’ Olympic Plan 2028, already dubbed the Dutch Approach in international circles, seeks to use the power of sports and the hosting of the 2028 Summer Olympics to put the Netherlands squarely on the international map. The plan is unique because of the exceedingly long run-up period, the aim being to book maximum results before as well as after hopefully securing the bid to organize the Olympic Games in 2028.

This strategy in stages distributed over the years creates opportunities to find the best means of physically accommodating the Games, to hitch these means to other tasks and to engage in dialogue on these issues. Design plays a crucial role in all of this, a role that changes with each set of circumstances.

This extra edition in the ’Design and Politics’ series describes the different ways in which design figures in shaping the Olympic Plan’s ambition to house the 2028 Summer Olympics. Design proves to be a factor at every turn in unifying interests, looking for advantages, inspiring and bringing together the various players and setting up a dialogue, by making the most of uncertain future developments and the dynamics of the Dutch political arena.