Post World War II urban planning in the Netherlands in the 1950’s en 1960’s is known as the period of “Rebuilding”. Typical of the tradition in planning at that time is the stamp like parcelling of apartment blocks in a green public environment. Nowadays this is no longer a desired living environment and most of the apartments are now owned by social housing companies. These districts are subject to reconstruction on a small and larger scale. Social apartment buildings are exchanged for one family houses, half of which are put on the market. This process of renewal leads to a decrease of population in a time where cities no longer have efficient space to expand. The urban strategy in reconstruction follows a different line.
After careful analysis, Stijlgroep adds a spatial quality that transforms the existing quality of green space. Subsequently Stijlgroep develops a strategy of urbanpunctural interventions, starting with good living environment and housing for the social economic potential population socalled social risers. This lifts the existing social standard to such an extent, ensuring the next phase creates new conditions for the next target group with a better social economic potential. The mixture of small appartement buildings, courtyard houses and park rowhouses creates the necessary variety in population and the desired density to maintain population and prevent other green areas in the city to change for housing development.
Location: Schiedam, The Netherlands Client: Municipality of Schiedam Date: 2016 - 2017 Category: Strategy, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Public Space
