Ko Koens is a lecturer at the New Urban Tourism research group, part of the Applied Research x Creativity knowledge centre at Inholland University of Applied Sciences. Cities are experiencing increasing pressure due to urbanization and rapidly growing urban tourism. His research considers a new balance between visitors and residents, so that tourism and the social transformation of urban neighbourhoods can go hand in hand. Part of the research group, the living labs help to articulate knowledge on how tourism can be harmoniously integrated into the societal challenges facing cities. Koens strives to develop this knowledge in collaboration with other parties. This takes place, among other places, within the Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality, ENSUT and as part of several EU-funded research projects.