Lessons Learned in Amsterdam Inspire Forward Thinking Back Home

And when it comes to global leaders in balancing sustainable practices with the needs of its residents, defining factors of today’s smart cities, Lane couldn’t think of a better place than Amsterdam. The Dutch capital was an early member of the Thriving Cities Initiative, which fosters collaborative action toward socially just and ecologically safe cities, and has committed to becoming a “circular city” — where everything it produces is reuses — by 2025.

“I’m really into cities and how they function, and the Netherlands have some of the most consistent and thoughtful urban planning throughout their country,” said Lane, who spent three weeks in Amsterdam immersed in a summer-study program that explored the city’s innovative approaches to urban living. “I really wanted to experience that firsthand and I’m so thankful I did.”

Considered among Kimball Union Academy’s highest honors, the Cullman Scholarship Program was established in 1983 with a gift from Hugh Cullman ’42 and supports students in off-campus study opportunities. In 2024, Lane and nine other recipients pursued areas of study of their choosing that develop leadership skills, global and environmental awareness, and service to others.

Lane said he learned how a city like Amsterdam, with origins dating back to the 12^th century, became an unlikely leader in maintaining a high quality of life while prioritizing environmentally friendly practices. It all starts with reducing reliance on motor vehicles — complicated anyhow given the city’s narrow streets — by encouraging alternate modes of transportation like bicycles and its tram system.

“In Amsterdam, it’s completely inconvenient to drive a car,” said Lane, adding that his Cullman experience tied in perfectly with his Global Scholars Capstone that explores both risks and alternatives to the use of motor vehicles. “They have better public transportation, and they have great biking infrastructure. There are just so many upsides to not using cars.”

Lane said he was struck by the lack of urban sprawl in and around Amsterdam, something he said he’s used to seeing around major metropolises in the United States. Pointing to the lack of an “American Dream” of owning your own single-family home, Lane said townhouse prevent a feeling of congestion despite the city’s population of nearly one-million residents.

One of his favorite parts of the program was a hands-on project that challenged students to incorporate what they learned in addressing a real-world challenge meaningful to them. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Lane and his group chose to reimagine one of the most dangerous roads in his home state — Virginia Beach Boulevard — redesigning the road to feature better sidewalks, increased tree coverage, and dedicated bike and bus lanes while staying within a realistic budget.

During his downtime, Lane visited attractions like the Van Gogh Museum and the Riijkmuseum, as well as Feyenoord Stadium, home to the Netherlands National Football Team. But it was a visit to the Anne Frank House that left the most profound impression on Lane.

“Being able to go in the house, it was extremely powerful. It was a very well-done museum,” he said. “They took you through all of the small spaces and you really get a feel for how cramped it must have been. It’s not as big of a house as I was expecting in reading the diary, and so I can’t imagine the constant stress of having to do that day after day in such a small space with so many people. It just really put everything into perspective.”

Lane, a member of KUA’s mountain bike and freeski teams, said he plans to study architecture in college and hopes to one day incorporate lessons he’s learned in sustainability into his designs. In the meantime, he encourages other KUA students to apply for a Cullman scholarship and try something they may otherwise never get the chance to do.

“Through this program, I gained insights into how cities like Amsterdam are tackling some of the biggest challenges of our time,” said Lane, who will attend Virginia Tech in the fall. “This experience wasn’t just about studying a smart city, it was about immersing myself in one and taking those lessons with me to apply in the future.”