News
Vleugels van Gorinchem
November 2020
BURA has been selected as strategic advisor to supervise the inner-city transformation of the so-called "Vleugels van Gorinchem", commissioned by the Municipality of Gorinchem and Province of South Holland. The ‘Vleugels van Gorinchem’ contains of three large urban transformation areas, in between the beautiful historic centre and the housing neighbourhoods in the North West. It includes the station area, Schelluinsestraat and Lingeoevers. In order to actually implement area transformation, a “development plan” will be set up, including a spatial framework, with clear choices for land use and the phasing of specific areas that can already transform.
Arc20 Stedenbouw Award
November 2020
On November 13th Marco Broekman handed out the Arc20 Stedenbouw Award. The nominated projects were Nederzetting Marker Wadden, De Nieuwe Kern en ZOHO Rotterdam. Marco was chairman of the jury and the winner was De Nieuwe Kern by West 8.
You can watch the video of the event here
Book presentation 'Neighbourhoods for the future'
November 2020
On November 25th Marco Broekman was part of the panel discussing the "Neighbourhoods for the future", at Pakhuis de Zwijger, in response to the new book of publisher Trancity "Neighbourhoods for the future", where the project Merwede is featured. With Maarten Hajer, Anne Seghers, Ferdi Licher etc.
You can watch the video of the event here
Arxellence 2 Thessaloniki Skyline Competition
November 2020
We proudly present you our submission for the International Ideas Competition for the New Central Business District (CBD) of Thessaloniki, Greece that received the 6th prize! Our proposal “A view of the bay/ A glance at the future” suggests a vibrant city district that is a pleasant living and working environment and introduces a new skyline for the city.
BURA urbanism wishes you a happy and healthy 2021!
December 2020
We can look back at a successful & inspiring, but also dynamic 2020.
Our office changed its name and we are looking ahead to the next steps with BURA.
The corona situation shows us that the design of healthy and sustainable neighbourhoods is even more important. We will continue in working closely together (with distance) with our clients and partners on the transformation of sustainable cities and landscapes.
We are looking forward to have more inspiring moments in 2021.
We hope to meet each other in person soon again.
New project: Station Purmerend
December 2020
BURA urbanism is selected, together with LOLA landscape architects, to make an urban development plan for the station area in Purmerend. We are looking forward to giving the station area a significant boost together with the Municipality of Purmerend and Heijmans as an area development partner and preparing Purmerend for the 21st century.
For more information click here
Concept Masterplan Hembrug out now!
October 2020
With the intention set by Gemeente Zaanstad and Hembrug Zaandam, 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 BV we worked on the Concept Masterplan of Hembrug which describes the main ambitions of the area. Two weeks ago, we presented our plans to the public via an interactive webinar and this week we have digital participation sessions. We are happy to finally be able to share some of this work with you, too. You can access the public version of the concept masterplan and watch the webinar here
Opening exhibition at OBA
October 2020
BURA participates in the exhibition “Ontwerpmanifestatie Omgevingsvisie Amsterdam” at the OBA. Marco Broekman presented our vision of the “stadstraat" Overtoom-Lelylaan to alderman Marieke van Doornick, who opened with a small talk. Our vision is not a blueprint, but a neighborhood- oriented, adaptive strategy, using densification as a tool to make a greener and more inclusive city. As input for the Omgevingsvisie, the municipality has set up a design event with 6 design teams together with ARCAM Architecture Center Amsterdam.
For more information click here
Participate in the Month of Spatial Quality!
September 2020
During the Month of Spatial Quality we create a panorama for South-Holland, which gives an attractively designed future perspective that depicts the cohesion, spatial impact and opportunities of the various (social) challenges. Sign up now to follow the online start- and final meeting and respond to the development of Panorama Zuid-Holland which will be visualised by BURA Urbanism.
Click here
Looking for young talent!
September 2020
BURA is looking for a young talented designer who is interested in social challenges and would like to deal with urban development challenges and social sustainability in Amsterdam. We offer a workplace via the call of the Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie.
We look forward to meeting a new talent soon!
For more information click here (Profile 4 • new core values for Amsterdam as a socially sustainable city -BURA urbanism)
Woningbouwimpuls
September 2020
Three different urban developments where BURA is actively involved in are among the 27 Dutch locations selected for the ‘woningbouwimpuls’ subsidy! The projects are: Merwede (Utrecht), Schieoevers (Delft) and Werninkterrein (Leiden).
The subsidy enables an acceleration of the process of housing construction in the Netherlands, and ensures that social and affordable housing are included in these urban developments. Our team is excited to contribute to the realization of such important societal goals in complex urban projects. We are proud to make this happen with all involved partners.
For more information click here
Hapert Urban Vision
September 2020
Back in 2018 we created a vision for a resilient and vital town center of Bladel, located in the Kempen-region close to the Dutch-Belgium border. Now BURA urbanism has been asked to create an urban vision for its neighboring village Hapert. The vision offers a unique opportunity to improve the urban cohesion and structure of Hapert and to connect the various projects. Besides the Municipality of Bladel will make an Omgevingsvisie, whereafter they can judge the different developments and new initiatives in the village. More information of the spatial vision of Hapert will be presented in March 2021.
image source: Regionaal historisch centrum Eindhoven https://www.rhc-eindhoven.nl/
BURA team is on holiday!
July 2020
Our office is closed from 20 July to 2 August. We will be available again from Monday 3 August. Enjoy your summer!
Presentation of vision of the “stadstraat" Overtoom-Lelylaan
July 2020
Marco Broekman presented our vision of the “stadstraat" Overtoom-Lelylaan in 4 minutes. Not a blueprint, but a neighborhood- oriented, adaptive strategy, using densification as a tool to make a greener and more inclusive city. As input for the Omgevingsvisie, the municipality has set up a design event with 6 design teams together with ARCAM Architecture Center Amsterdam. The presentation was live via the livecastpagina of Pakhuis de Zwijger.
Click here to watch the video of the presentation
New project: vision for the Werninkterrein in Leiden
June 2020
BURA is asked by the Municipality of Leiden to make a spatial and programmatic vision for the Wernink area in Leiden. For decades this was the location of the Wernink concrete factory, which moved away a few years ago. The location of 3,4 hectares has some very positive features: it is situated close to the historical city of Leiden and has a fantastic 400-meter-long waterfront. Now there is the chance to develop this plot into an attractive green urban area, with mainly housing, but also some working and recreation.
Entree Zoetermeer
May 2020
Commissioned by the municipality of Zoetermeer, BURA urbanism is collaborating with LOLA Landscape Architects on the development of Entree Zoetermeer. A new neighborhood with urban allure as an entrance to the city. What challenges and success factors do we see as an urban design office? Read the blog entry by the partner Floris van der Zee as part of the blog series about this area development.
For more info:
Municipal board Amstelveen approves vision Legmeer
April 2020
The municipal board of Amstelveen approved the
development vision for the transformation of Legmeer.
Consequently the vision will be presented for approval to the municipal council. According to the vision, the current
business park can be transformed into a sustainable green
urban district, prepared for major climate changes. Legmeer becomes a place where living and working are mixed in balance. The neighborhood offers space for at least 3,000 homes for various incomes, urban activities and necessary facilities. The vision proposes to develop different spatial
atmospheres, which can be developed over the next 10-20 years.
For more info:
- https://www.amstelveen.nl/wonen-leven/project/transformatie-legmeer
Spatial Vision for Houten approved
April 2020
Tuesday the 7th of April the Spatial Vision for Houten (last draft version) was approved by the board of mayor and councilors. Now as a last step there will be open public consultations (inspraak).
Important decisions in the vision for the coming 20 years are: densifying inner-city locations and strengthening current qualities, like the green areas, bicycle friendliness, good accessibility, safety and tranquility.
Another important decision is to stop developing houses in open fields (like Houten has done in the past decades), but instead develop an existing industrial area Northwest of the town into a mixed urban area. The ring road around the city will be moved, so that this new urban area will really be part of the city and the car traffic will mostly stay on the outside of Houten. In total 5.800 new houses will be build.
Online exhibition about the main points of the Spatial Vision for Houten
https://www.prettigwonenvooriedereen.nl/
See the project page for more information.
Meet BURA
April 2020
Our team consists of 17 members with 8 different nationalities. The Italian nationality is represented by two of our teammembers. One of them is our intern Chiara Stucchi. Her friend Giulia Milesi started a lockdown project, #ritrattibenefici. Using her talent in the best way, she makes portraits to raise money for local hospitals, in order for them to contain the Corona virus. BURA urbanism supported this great initiative with a donation. We are happy to present our team through her illustrations!
marco.broekman continues as BURA urbanism
April 2020
The corona crisis hits the core of our society. It clearly shows how crucial and urgent it is to consider how we would like to live together and how we, as designers, create the conditions for livable and healthy cities. As of today we continue with this mission under a new name. We are proud to announce that ‘marco.broekman urbanism research architecture’ continues as ‘BURA urbanism’.
Marco Broekman: “At the end of 2014, I started a new urban design office under my own name with the ambition to combine design and research, and to work on creating sustainable urban environments.”
After five successful years marco.broekman is ready for the next step. The introduction of the new name - BURA urbanism - coincides with Floris van der Zee becoming partner of our office. Since joining the office over four years ago he has contributed greatly to the development of the company. The societal challenges that will result out of the current situation strengthens our belief that we are taking the right steps towards contributing to a bright future.
“The new name reflects the teamwork that this office stands for. Also Marco and I are both closely involved in all projects. I am really excited to take on this challenge with Marco and lead our fantastic team”, says Floris van der Zee.
As BURA we continue to work together in a personal and creative way with our clients and collaborating partners. With a lot of energy and enthusiasm our research-driven urban planning office continues to work on projects with societal relevance and on urgent spatial challenges.
Click here for more information about Marco Broekman and Floris van der Zee
Urban Plan Merwede
January 2020
We are proud to tell you about one of our main urban projects; Merwede!
Merwede will be a special, new city district for Utrecht where more than 12,000 people can live in a sustainable and healthy way. Characteristic of this urban area is high-quality greenery in public spaces, courtyards and on roofs. This is possible because it will be a car-free neighbourhood where pedestrians and cyclists are central. People can make use of a large selection of shared cars, shared bicycles and public transport. The Urban plan was released today for participation by the Commission.
The Urban Plan and image quality plan for Merwede is the result of intensive cooperation between eleven landowners, including the municipality of Utrecht. marco.broekman has been involved in the planning process since 2016 as leader of the design-team and has been collaborating with different advisors.
See the project page for more information.