News
Post-Growth City continues!
November 2022
The advisory committee of the Creative Industries Fund NL has unanimously responded positively to Post-Growth City's follow-up application. With this research, BURA and Crimson Historians & Urbanists aim to build a think tank and explore how spatial designers and urban planners can contribute to a truly sustainable and just city, beyond the economic growth paradigm.
Cities have an enormous appeal and attract people and companies who will live, work, meet or study. As a result, most cities are growing in terms of population, employment, and visitors. Simultaneously, we see that the economic growth paradigm of recent decades is also causing undesirable effects in our cities, the shortage of housing and affordable workspaces, the impact of urban development on the climate, the depletion of raw materials, the nitrogen crisis, loss of biodiversity and inequality between population groups. Therefore, it is important to take a critical look at the concept of growth and to develop an alternative: the post-growth city.
BURA and Crimson started the (preliminary) research Post-Growth City this year. In the first months, our research is aimed to provide a step-by-step approach for answering the central research question: What does the Post-Growth City look like and what does that mean for the way in which we develop and design our cities? We will have several working sessions, draft a manifesto, create a roadmap, and conclude with several debates. Our partners The Independent School for the City and the municipalities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam are actively involved in the research activities. We are looking forward to working together on the research with our partners, various experts, and the professional world. We believe that we as designers have a greater responsibility to develop an alternative for the (economic) growth of future cities and society.
Apply now for the Post-Growth City Studio!
Oktober 2022
From 14 - 18 November, the Studio Post-Growth City is going to explore alternative models for a sustainable and just city past the growth imperative. This studio is part of the Post-Growth research project by BURA urbanism, Crimson Historians & Urbanists and the Independent School for the City. Exploring the definition of good Growth and aiming to find new inspiring examples of the Post-Growth City, this research examines the visible & invisible instruments of the underlying systems such as, land policies, tax systems, planning instruments, construction lobby and interweaving with the financial system.
How do you think we can design with respect for our planet? And what effects will the Post-Growth society have on our living environment? Let’s discuss together and come up with new alternative models. More info and registration for the Post-Growth City Studio here.
project page
BURA urbanism has been selected for ‘Pont tot Park Ijmuiden’!
September 2022
BURA urbanism is working on the concept development strategy for Pont tot Park in IJmuiden on behalf of and in collaboration with the municipality of Velsen, AM/Hemubo, Woningbouwbedrijf Velsen (WBV) and landscape designer Marlies van Diest. The goal of the concept development plan is to formulate preconditions that enable the transformation of Ijmuiden's village center environment to an area with urban allure.
Waterlandkwartier and Hembrug selected for longlist ARC22!
August 2022
We are happy to announce that our projects Waterlandkwartier Purmerend and Hembrug Zaandam are on the longlist of the Arc22 Urban Design Award! The two projects have been selected along with 17 more plans. The winners will be announced in September.
Waterlandkwartier forms the station area of Purmerend. Our masterplan sets the stage for a development of the Waterlandkwartier for the next 10 to 20 years into a lively mixed, green, vibrant, and sustainable district.
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.
Would you like to see the longlist? Please click here.
project page Waterlandkwartier, Purmerend
BURA urbanism has been selected for ‘Knooppunt Leiden Centraal’!
June 2022
BURA urbanism in collaboration with Akro Consult and GROUP A architects have been selected for the preliminary study of 'Knooppunt Leiden Centraal’. In anticipation of the MIRT-exploration the team will research various alternatives.
The preliminary study will highlight the most important opportunities and bottlenecks of possible solutions with a strong emphasis on forming images of the desired spatial quality. The research and images will provide a good basis for further exploration and associated participation. During multiple work sessions including various stakeholders, an interactive 3D model will be used. The results and lessons learnt will give direction to the high ambitions of urbanisation, mobility and healthy living environment of this dynamic district.
We work on behalf of the joint partners: Gemeente Leiden, Provincie Zuid-Holland, NS Stations, ProRail and the Leiden University Medical Center.
The city council of Zwolle has unanimously approved the development program ‘Ons Stadshart van Morgen’!
May 2022
The city council of Zwolle has unanimously approved the development program ‘Ons Stadshart van Morgen’. This is an important step for the development, among other ambitions, of a sustainable and climate-adaptive city centre. BURA urbanism worked on a Development Program for the Zwolle Center-Inner City in collaboration with Gemeente Zwolle and Bureau B+B urbanism and landscape architecture. Would you like to know more, please click here.
Post-Growth City research by design has started!
April 2022
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 2022
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 2022
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 2022
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 2022
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 2022
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 2022
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.