News
Post-Growth City research by design has started!
April 2021
On Tuesday 12th of April, The Netherlands already reached “Earth Overshoot Day”. This means our consumption of
natural recourses has exceeded what the Earth can regenerate in this year. This clearly shows we must redefine the way we look at economic growth. BURA has started the “Post-Growth City” research project, in collaboration with Crimson Historians & Urbanists and Independent School for the City and with subsidy of the Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie.
Post-Growth City focusses on the Netherlands and the Global North, and builds on existing research and articles regarding Post-Growth. We will examine the visible & invisible planning instruments, such as: land policies, tax systems, construction lobby and the interweaving with the financial system. What are the forces that drive our “Growth Cities”? What is good Growth? Lastly, where do we find new inspiring examples of the Post-Growth City? We don’t know the right answers yet, however We do have some critical questions. We take the initiative to start a debate on the fundamentals of our economic paradigm and the way we plan our cities, in order to develop viable alternatives so we can transition towards a truly sustainable and just future. Next months we will set up interviews with experts, organise debates, and write out our research proposal.
If you are interested in this topic, please click here.
New website Merwede online!
April 2021
Check out the new website about Merwede now! Recently, a new website for Merwede Utrecht was launched. The website includes an interactieve 3D map of the project area that will be filled with more images and stories in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
You can check out the website by clicking here.
Green light for the further procedure of the draft ‘land use plan’ Hembrug!
April 2021
The board of the municipality of Zaanstad (Gemeente Zaanstad) has given green light for the further procedure of the draft ‘land use plan’ (NL: ontwerp bestemmingsplan) and ‘image quality plan’ for Hembrug. With this approval, and the approval of the ‘urban development plan Hemburg northern part’ last March, we are one step closer to a unique development of the former military terrain.
The ‘land use plan’ is based on the urban development plan for the northern part, which was approved by the board of the municipality of Zaandam last March. Now the ‘land use plan’ is also approved with 93,000 m2 for residential functions and approx. 8,250 m2 for work functions and facilities. In addition to the spatial integration of the programme, preservation, expansion and enrichment of the (natural) landscape and (future) public space, mobility, circularity and the energy transition are important themes for the development of Hembrug.
The 'image quality plan' is aimed at preserving and strengthening the unique qualities of Hembrug. The essences are based on Hembrug's four core values: open, authentic, surprising and connecting. These values apply to public space, as well as to new constructions and existing (monumental) buildings.
For more information (NL) please click here.
Research by design project HMC2 completed!
March 2021
Great news! Our team recently finished the research by design project HMC2. BURA urbanism and Stec group worked on a research by design project for the Provincie Zuid Holland.
HMC areas are essential in the Netherlands, because of their important role in the development to a sustainable and circular future. However, HMC areas are often outdated, accommodate a variety of industrial activities, are enclosed by water or rail infrastructure and use their plots extensively. At the same time, because of their environmental impact, HMC areas often form a barrier for housing plans and densification ambitions of the city.
As a result, pressure for change of HMC areas is increasing, because cities are densifying within their city boundaries because landscape is regarded as scarce and valuable. For that reason, it is important to understand their capacity for change in order to accommodate new functions, be more sustainable and be an added value for their environment and potential new users.
The research project therefore focusses on the following question: how can working areas with a high environmental impact (HMC) keep their economic value and contribute to a more sustainable society in future?
project page
New research project on the topic ‘densification as enrichment’!
March 2021
Recently the Municipality of Tilburg presented the ambition to develop 25.000 dwellings before 2040. In order to preserve landscape areas from new urban expansion, an addition of a quarter of the current housing stock needs to be realised within the limits of existing urban areas.
Having this densification challenge in mind, CAST Architectuurcentrum initiated a research by design project that can visualise how the densification of existing areas can enrich the city. In which way can urgent socio-spatial transitions be implemented and integrated, and how can housing development be used to strengthen living conditions and urban qualities?
During the development process participatory events will be organised with inhabitants and experts in order to explore possible futures together. The research and results will be carried out by Archistad (Ton van der Hagen) and BURA urbanism.
The project is funded with the help of Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie (Creative Industries Fund)
For more information click here
The urban plan for Hembrug northern part has been approved by the board of the municipality of Zaanstad!
March 2021
Great news for Hembrug! The urban development plan for Hembrug northern part has been approved by the board of the municipality of Zaanstad!
Hembrug is a unique site in Zaandam located along the North Sea Canal and the Zaan. The former military terrain of 42.5 hectares has a rich collection of unique building typologies, area identities and landscape structures, and will be developed into a mixed area for living, business, art and culture, nature and events. In the northern part approx. 93.000 m2 housing including 8.250 m2 non-residential function will be developed.
Besides the housing assignment, energy and mobility transition, sustainability, and the right balance between the historic character and new structures are important themes that are included in the urban development plan. Future development will preserve and further strengthen Hembrug’s current character, for example, through the construction of a mix of larger and smaller typologies with varied roof shapes and through the reinforcement of the forest in the northern part.
The development perspective ‘Ons Stadshart van morgen’
has been approved by the board of the municipality of Zwolle!
March 2021
In the future Zwolle will be subject to inner-city growth, meaning the inner-city will grow within its existing boundaries. As a result, more people will work, reside and recreate within close proximity. Important choices about the limited space have to be made, mostly related to housing, mobility, and economic and cultural capital. The development perspective therefore focusses on further strengthening the economic and cultural position of Zwolle, and on creating a more green, attractive and future-proof centre-inner city for both its residents and (international) visitors.
In ‘Ons Stadshart van morgen’, a green and climate-adaptive city is seen as a precondition for realising the future-proof city centre. The development of a strong and well-connected Singel structure surrounding the historic city centre is therefore the motor of the development programme. The Singelzone will thus have a cohesive function that connects the city-centre and adjacent key areas like Noorderkwartier, Roelenkwartier and Willemsknoop/Stationsbuurt.