News
Summer holidays!
July 2021
Last week we did a fun SUP tour through the canals in the Plantage area and the city center of Amsterdam! We enjoyed the nice weather and prepared ourselves for the summer break. Our office will be closed from 26 July to 6 August. We will be available again from Monday 9 August. Enjoy your summer!
Vision Veldhuis Apeldoorn
July 2021
Great news for Veldhuis!
The city council of Apeldoorn approved the vision for the Veldhuis district on the 8th of July. BURA urbanism worked together with the Municipality of Apeldoorn on the vision which forms the framework for the area development and is estimated to last about 10 years.
You can follow developments in Veldhuis area via this website
Vision Werninkterrein Leiden
July 2021
Great news for Werninkterrein Leiden!
On the 16th of July the city council of Leiden approved the Vision for Werninkterrein: “Stadsbuurt als tribune aan de Rijn". Together with the municipality of Leiden BURA developed this vision for the site of the former Wernink concrete factory on the shore of the Rhine river. It contains ambitions for a sustainable mixed use development and a concrete spatial framework. Key characteristics will be the public riverside and an atmosphere that embraces the industrial use of the past. The Werninkterrein will turn into a new, lively and diverse city neighborhood with 600 to 700 homes with space for recreation and work.
Developer ABB Bouwgroep asked BURA and OZ architect to develop the urban plan for the site. We are happy to continue working on this project with all our partners.
For more info check here
Verkenning Vitale Binnensteden
July 2021
The coming months BURA Urbanism will be working together with Stec Groep on the Verkenning Vitale Binnensteden (Exploratory research on vital city centers). This research by design project will research the futureproofing of the inner cities of the 6 biggest municipalities in the Netherlands for the Dutch ministries of BZK, EZK en JenV. City centers are constantly changing but the COVID crisis is accelerating some of these trends and developments. Problems like declining visitor numbers and a rise in empty buildings used to be mostly associated with smaller municipalities but are now quickly becoming issues in the big cities as well. The vitality of the inner city areas is under pressure while at the same time opportunities are rising to increase the quality of life and economic value of the city centers.
The Verkenning Vitale Binnensteden’s main goal is to provide a clear picture of the challenges city centers face and to research which approach is best fitted to solve them. With spatial and functional analysis and research by design a general overview of the challenges will be created. This will include shared challenges as well as a city-specific analysis. We will project scenarios for the cities development to show how they can develop towards a vital future and will also show which tools can be used to get there.
The aim of this initial survey is a research- and development agenda with different possibilities for development, the policies and approach and the possible tools needed. The agenda will form the starting point for possible cooperation between the parties involved.
Masterplan Waterlandkwartier - Purmerend
June 2021
On the 25th of may the ‘college’ of Purmerend approved the masterplan Waterlandkwartier (formerly known as Stationsgebied). The masterplan, made in collaboration with LOLA Landscape Architects and the city, sets the stage for a development of the Waterlandkwartier for the next 10 to 20 years. Waterlandkwartier will together with the historical centre of Purmerend form the linear centre of Purmerend. Both districts are connected by the new city boulevard: Waterlandlaan-Purmersteenweg. As part of the masterplan the station will be moved to the Waterlandlandlaan and will become a central public transport HUB for Purmerend. The Waterlandkwartier will transform into a lively mixed, green, vibrant, and sustainable district. In the coming years 1800 dwellings, office program and amenities will be added on top of the existing program.
The masterplan is presented to the city council in June. On the 30th of June the council will assess the masterplan during the councilmeeting.
The full masterplan can be viewed here
Vision Veldhuis district
May 2021
BURA made a urban vision for the Veldhuis area in Apeldoorn, in close collaboration with the municipality of Apeldoorn. The vision was approved by the 'college' and also presented to inhabitants and the city council.
Veldhuis feels like a hidden place, though within a minute walk from the train station of Apeldoorn. You find the typical "Apeldoornse" houses in combination with larger industrial and educational buildings. The position and characteristics makes Veldhuis an attractive area for new developments. It will be a green and lively city. There are opportunities to realize approximately 780 new houses in combination with companies, facilities and educational functions. The old industrial buildings tell the story of the past and give the neighborhood a good atmosphere. Besides, the plan connects to the green qualities of the Veluwe. In this way, we build on the existing qualities and create a characterful area for the future
Floris van der Zee interview 'Podium voor jong talent'
June 2021
Floris van der Zee has been interviewed by Dutch Magazine 'De Architect' for its section about young talents: 'Podium voor jong talent'. A year ago he became partner of BURA, next to Marco Broekman. In this interview Floris explains more about his professional vision and ambitions, both personally and in relationship with BURA urbanism.
You can read the interview here
Development perspective Spoorzone Arnhem-Oost
May 2021
BURA have worked together with the municipality of Arnhem on redeveloping the Spoorzone Arnhem-Oost into an attractive area for residents and businesses. The perspective provides improved connections between the different neighborhoods, a mix of living and working and space for sustainable and innovative companies, creating an energetic and green city district. A new robust rail park (Spoorpark) concatenates the existing neighborhoods and new developments and connects the Veluwe with the rivers the IJssel and Nederrijn. The 'Development perspective Spoorzone Arnhem-Oost' was presented to the council last week.
BURA wins selection for Eindhoven Central Station, in Team Gateways
May 2021
BURA urbanism recently started working on a Spatial Development Vision for Eindhoven Central Station, within Team Gateways, consisting of our partners Gateways, Sweco and Space Syntax. The vision will make full use of the station's potential to become a dynamic and efficient multimodal transit node - an exemplary hub that connects key parts of the city, helps to promote the shift towards public transit and bike use in the region, and also improves connectivity on a national and European level.
The focus of the Spatial Development Vision will lie on upgrading the train and bus station, integrating the multimodal hub into the surrounding urban fabric, and creating opportunities for real estate development on the site.
The assignment is commissioned by the Province of Noord Brabant, the Municipality of Eindhoven, the national railway network organisation ProRail and NS (Dutch Railways), the principal passenger railway operator in the Netherlands.
Image credits: Aerophoto-Schiphol
Hembrug Masterplan positively accessed
April 2021
Great news for our project in Hembrug!
On Thursday, April 22, the Zaanstad municipal council assessed positively the Hembrug Master Plan. The municipal council particularly appreciates the participation process and the desire to preserve the non-monumental buildings and industrial halls on the site. With the intention set by Gemeente Zaanstad and Hembrug Zaandam B.V. (ABC Vastgoed, LIFE Europe, Ten Brinke Vastgoedontwikkeling), the former military terrain of Hembrug will be transformed into a vibrant living and working environment, where culture, heritage, landscape and recreation become a part of daily life. BURA has been working on this project since 2017. Together with Strootman Landschapsarchitecten and the team of Hembrug Zaandam B.V. we worked on the Masterplan of Hembrug which describes the main ambitions of the area.
For more information check here
Concept Gebiedsvisie Leiden Wernink presentation
April 2021
Floris van der Zee presented on 15th May the Concept Gebiedsvisie for the Wernink site in Leiden in an online presentation and discussion. BURA develops the vision for this former industrial site on the Rhine, transforming it into a new city district with 600-750 homes. BURA urbanism works for the Municipality of Leiden and collaborates with Megaborn and Maak de Stad. Presentations and research are available for a response here
Team BURA selected for Centrum-Binnenstad Zwolle
March 2021
A team led by BURA urbanism has been selected to work on the Zwolle Center-Inner City Development Program in the coming year. BURA works together with bureau B + B and experts from Studio Bereikbaar, Stadkwadraat and Merosch. The focus is on the old city center and various development areas around the city center, except for the railway zone. Zwolle has invested in the city center in recent years with high-quality urban projects, but now the step is needed to make the Center-Inner City a more complete urban environment. The aim of the development program is therefore to further strengthen the economic and cultural position of Zwolle and to make the city more attractive for its users, and to put Zwolle on the map nationally and internationally. The development program is a dot on the horizon that is inviting to market parties and is supported by the Zwolse society and its politics. The BURA team will draw the development program through co-creation with the municipality, entrepreneurs, residents, initiators and market parties, and prepare the city center and surrounding area for the future.
Definitive urban plan of Merwede!
March 2021
Super proud that the definitive urban plan of Merwede is out now. On March 10th, the plan was presented by the municipal executive to the municipal council for decision-making. BURA has been working on the site since 5,5 years, in close collaboration with our clients, partner offices and architects. The public-private partnership is unique and has led to innovation in mobility, the energy system, high quality public space, affordable housing and unique programming. From now on BURA will take the role of supervisor of Merwede, looking forward to take the next step into the realization of this ambitious, sustainable, urban district.
more information here
First prize for High-rise Innovation Award!
January 2021
The research proposal 'Thuis op hoogte' by BURA urbanism and CIVIC Architects won the first prize for High-rise Innovation Award! Stichting Hoogbouw announced the winner during the digital New Year's meeting on 25 January. In this design research we set out to study how diverse, inclusive and resilient communities can be created in high-rise buildings, not only at the scale of the building, but also at the scale of the so-called high-rise neighborhood. We aspire to create a model for an accessible, affordable and loved high-rise tower, where various social groups can find a place to live and which can create positive spin-off effects for the neighborhood it is located in. One of the challenges here is to come up with innovative forms of ownership and financial models within the high-rise building, which will make a desired mix of functions and social groups possible. BURA urbanism and Civic - Public Architecture will collaborate on this research, supported by sociologist Lia Karsten and economist Theo Stauttener. In this way, the design principles will be inspired by and linked to innovative economic strategies and social insights.
more information here
Think about Schieoevers Noord!
January 2021
BURA urbanism developed a (concept) spatial quality framework for the transformation of Schieoevers Noord. The participation process of the project has started and the plan for the industrial area was presented on January the 14th. Floris van der Zee provided an explanation on behalf of the Municipality of Delft on the basis of the DNA Schieoevers that has been drawn up. Concrete proposals for the Kabeldistrict and Delfts Schiekwartier were also presented.
You can find the presentation and more information here
Merwede between the ten best urban development projects of 2020
January 2021
Great news to start 2021! The Dutch magazine de Architect NL listed our urban plan for Merwede Utrecht among the ten best urban development projects of 2020.
You can read the article here