Urban revitalisation

Prospects instead of Bricks

In the Netherlands a large number of urban areas deal with an amalgame of problems usually consisting of a dangerous mix of high-unemployement rates, drug abuse, violence, juvenile delinquency, educational withdrawal in the inner cities. A Goverment sponsored program aimes at revitalizing these areas. The resulting standard approach is mono-focussed on concentrations of underprivileged groups and the typical remedie is to demolish the entire area and rebuild it.
The policy is directed towards symptoms: easy to localize and easy to suggestion solutions. The underlying causes get little attention and the problems often pop up a little later in neighbouring areas. A symptom that has been dubbed the Waterbed-effect.

To get a firm grip on our quest, we consulted Reframing Studio and investigated with them which 'characteristics' should be present in a future urban neighborhood in order to be durably successful. The resulting report describes a framework that will guide us in bringin about concepts and serves as a tool for urban neighborhood development. It will enable us to act as an accepted partner within the pool of stakeholders.

Henk Jansen, CEO Strukton Bouw en Vastgoed BV

What are the requirements for a future urban neighbourhood to be able to be consistently offer their inhabitants a positive outlook?

Credits:

Inspiring interviews were held with with Prof. R. van Engelsdorp Gastelaars, Emeritus Professor University of Amsterdam and Gert Middelkoop, economist and planologist.

Category:

Public design

Client:

Strukton

Project kick-off:

September 2007

Project delivered:

May 2008

Type:

Framework Development

Project size:

Large