IJburg, Amsterdam, NetherlandsDelivering Better Places: Visual Case Study 4

INTRODUCTION

WHAT ARE CASE STUDIES

Case Studies aim to set out thinking, briefi ng or possible forward action on a specifi c topic or question. They provide in-depth information and can outline ways to tackle issues. This Case Study has been prepared by A+DS.

WHAT IS THIS CASE STUDY ABOUT?

This case study has been informed by Delivering Better Places, a collaborative publication from The Scottish Centre for Regeneration, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Scotland and Architecture and Design Scotland, who worked with the University of Glasgow to create a good practice guide. The guide helps public, private and community stakeholders identify good practice and improve their understanding of delivering better places.

This case study provides a visual analysis of the IJburg development, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, presenting text from the Delivering Better Places analysis of the development alongside images which illustrate the fi ndings.

The objective of this case study is to provide a visual tool to highlight elements of successful developments from around Europe, to help inspire the delivery of better places for Scotland.

The images within this case study have been selected from the Steve Tiesdell Legacy Collection, which can be accessed in full on fl ickr.

Delivering Better Places, S Gov, 2011

IJBURG, AMSTERDAM LOCATION / MASTERPLAN

Site Location

Masterplan

SUMMARY PROFILE

Built on a series of artifi cial islands, IJburg is a meticulously planned and executed sustainable urban extension to Amsterdam, aiming to createthe character, feel and amenity of the city’s more established neighbourhoods.

First considered as a site for extension in the 1960s, the contemporaryproject dates from the early 1990s. Having been identifi ed as a VINEX* location in 1994, Projectbureau IJburg was created within the Amsterdam DRO, who consulted on and designed the masterplan.

Construction of the islands began in 1999. Road and buildingconstruction started in 2001. Three islands are complete and (largely)developed to date. Buildings on Haveneiland (by far the biggestisland) were delivered by three consortia encompassing more than 20developers creating rapid development and variety.

IJburg (unsurprisingly) required many bridges; these link it in tothe surrounding suburbs and nature reserves, making the newneighbourhood accessible.

* VINEX – an abbreviation of ‘Vierde Nota Ruimtelijke Ordening Extra’: the fourth Dutch Ten Year Housing Programme (1996-2005)

DISTINCT IDENTITY

Does the place have a distinct identity? Its identity is recognisably Amsterdam, with its high density and proximity to water. At the same time it is very much IJburg and could not be mistaken for any other VINEXlocation nor for anywhere else in Amsterdam or the Netherlands.

SAFE AND PLEASANT

Does the place have spaces that are safe and pleasant? Very many. The streets themselves are pleasant, attractive and free in most places from too much traffi c.There are also small and large parks, a beach (in summer), a popular marina, the adjacent Diemerpark nature reserve and the water itself.

EASY TO MOVE AROUND

Is the place easy to move around (especially on foot) (‘permeable’)?

Yes. It is built to a grid that has similar dimensions to the traditional neighbourhoodsof Amsterdam. It is also easy to move from IJburg to the surrounding mainland andto Amsterdam; IJburg is very well connected, with many bridges, especially for pedestrians/cyclists.

SENSE OF WELCOME

Does the place make visitors feel sense-of-welcome? Yes. It is easy to get to and fi nd your way around IJburg, due to its coherent layout and dedicated tram line. The (sole) Band B bridge is built in a shape reminiscent of an upturned boat and is very welcoming to visitors indeed.

Will the place adapt easily to changing circumstances (‘robust’)? IJburg’s rich variety is a strength. Fine urban grain and use of small plots allows for incremental development and renewal of buildings. Many land uses and good connections ensure that the place will always have a number of functions and purposes. The main risk for IJburg is that of rising sea levels. This is partly mitigated by the development of fl oating houses on Steigereiland and provision of spaces for houseboats.

ADAPTABLE

RESOURCE EFFICIENT

Does the place make good use of scarce resources (‘sustainable’)? It certainly makes good use of a very scarce resource in Holland (land) by simply creating more and building to a high density. It is quite possible to live in IJburg without a car, or at least only need to use one occasionally. Most journeys can be made bytram or bike; both are probably quicker than driving in Amsterdam. IJburg, while very good, does not however have the same overarching commitment to environmental sustainability that characterises Hammarby Sjöstad.

Architecture and Design Scotland

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Project Information

LOCATION: East of Amsterdam; readily accessible from Amsterdam Centraal by express tram (journey time is 15-20 minutes).PROJECT CONTEXT: Urban edge/ greenfi eld though actually created on artifi cial island.PROJECT TYPE: Growth, on artifi cial islands on the edge of the City.RATIONALE: Planned urban extension, emulating characteristic urban form and neighbourhoods of central Amsterdam.PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Aim is to create a complete neighbourhood for 45,000 people, with everything that would be expected in an established neighbourhood – library, parks, activities, sports activities/centres, schools etc. Phase 1 of project consists of 9,000 residential units, built at twice the density of average Vinex location. On a further four new islands, Phase II will comprise a further 11,000 residential units.PLACE PROMOTER: Municipality of Amsterdam’s City Planning Department (DRO).LAND OWNERSHIP: Land created by construction of artifi cial islands. Land had to been transferred from a national public body to a local public body.DELIVERY METHOD: Masterplan developed by the DRO in collaboration with private sector architects, planners and urban designers. The City acted as land developer installing physical and social infrastructure, notably a tram extension. The infrastructure was funded upfront by the City, but costs were recovered from selling serviced development plots to developers. Developers must comply with the requirements of site-specifi c and area-specifi c design codes. The City also introduced a quality team process, which includes the appointment of a ‘block coach’ to coordinate the designs of architects working on individual buildings and street blocks within an identifi ed area.DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: A meticulously planned project with physical and social infrastructure being developed in advance of building development – that is, infrastructure-led development. Project was conceived in the mid-1990s, with building construction commencing in 2001. Phase I is approximately 75% complete.