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0 - >> CITY-PLANNING UTRECHT
A CHRONOLOGICAL TIMELINE
How the city functions cannot be separated from its past. The way people live and dwell changes in time. New visions through the ages, driven by social issues, gave the city its structure. That is also the case for the city of Utrecht. Till now ideas on livability, safety and mobility gave the city its form. To understand the impact of these ideas on the urban structure of Utrecht, we look in URBAN FLOW at some major developments from the past. What is the social background of these developments? What was the impact on the city’s development? A starting point for new developments in the future.
UTRECHT A DAZZLING CITY. FILLED TO THE RIM.
PHOTOCREDITS: VERKEERSWEG VREDENBURG / HERITAGE UTRECHT
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URBAN FLOW
THE CITY . ITS TRANSFORMATION . ITS AMBITION
< -410 A.D UTRECHT’S ORIGIN
FIRST CITIZENS
For years there was speculation on the roman origin of Utrecht. In 1927 the first signs of the former castellum were found whilst working on the foundation of the Dom tower. This discovery would lead to the first archeological excavation in 1929. Utrecht was a roman city from 41 to 410 A.D. As part of the northern defence line ‘ the Limes’ , the Romans build three forts: Hoge Woerd and Vechten (Utrecht area), Domplein (in the inner city). The Roman citizens were not the first inhabitants of the area. We do not know a lot about the pre-roman period. But there are remains of old pottery and grids found. Utrecht is fond of its heritage and is now reassessing its (visible) past.
UTRECHT IS PROUD OF ITS HISTORY. THE TRAILS OF THE PAST ARE MADE VISIBLE IN THE CITY AND LANDSCAPE: DOMUNDER (VISITING CENTRE) // RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CASTELLUM HOGE WOERD (LEIDSCHE LIJN) // OLD LIMES ROAD (LEIDSCHE RIJN).
PHOTOCREDITS: FIRST EXCAVATIONS DOMPLEIN / THE UTRECHT ARCHIVES
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410 - 1122 CHURCH CENTRE
ECCLESIASTIC POWER
In the early 6th century, after the Romans had abandoned the area, a little church was built on the former castellum - now the Domplein in the inner city. As the power of the church grew in the following centuries, it became an ecclesiastic castle. Around the castle residential and farmland arose. The castle became a city with 5,000 inhabitants and the church managed the farmland. Utrecht turned into an ecclasiastic city. In 1023 the new Domchurch was inaugurated, in 1048 the St Peterchurch, the St Jan (1054), the St Paul (1050) and the Mariachurch (1081). In the 9th century trade was concentrated in the West. The tradearea was called Stathe. In the 11th century a canal was dug to accelerate trade. The northern part of the Oudegracht was born!
THE CHURCH MANAGES THE CITY. SACRED AND SACROSANCT.
PHOTOCREDITS: THE ECCLESIASTIC CHURCH 1200 / HERITAGE UTRECHT -DAAN CLAESSEN
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1122 - 1580 URBANIZATION TRADE IS EMERGING
The church and the bourgeoisie now both built the city. More and more was built in stone instead of wood to protect the city from destructive fires. Empty space inside the citywall was filling up with housing and storage. Besides the church the merchants situated their mansions along the canal. Trade took place in halls and markets. New canals were dug to provide the citizens with merchandise. Along the Oudegracht the wharfs developed gradually. Merchandise was unloaded on the quay, and stored in the basements beneath the houses. During the ages almost 4 kilometers of city-wharf was formed. They are still unique in the world and nowadays protected heritage. In 1580 the reformation ended the power of the church and Utrecht lost its central position in the Netherlands. This would have its impact on cityplanning in the next ages.
BOURGEOIS FAMILIES BATTLE FOR POWER. A TWIST BETWEEN THE FRESINGEN AND LICHTENBERG FAMILIE.
PHOTOCREDITS: DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHARFS / HERITAGE UTRECHT -DAAN CLAESSEN
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THE CITY . ITS TRANSFORMATION . ITS AMBITION
1580 - 1815 INSIDE THE CITYWALL THE BOURGEOISIE RULES
After the reformation the churchs property was exproriated and destined for new developments. New streets were constructed, terrains reallocated for dwelling and church buildings reused as public estate: court, schools etcetera. This was the Golden Age. An age which would bring Amsterdam great prosperity. Unfortunately not for Utrecht. The city was found boring and middleclass. The University was more respected and used in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; city-brandingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to attract new students to Utrecht. For leisure a Maliebaan (for the historical Malie-games) was constructed. The incumbent mayor Moreelse took its chance to make a plan for city-emlargement with 351 new parcels. The plan however was never completed except for three canals. In the 16th century a new defence canal was developed, with four stone forts (Morgenster, Sterrenburg, Manenburg and Zonnenburg). The city grew to 40,000 inhabitants inside the new city wall.
THE CITY IS FILLING. CITY EXTENSION IS MORE AND MORE TALK OF THE DAY.
PHOTOCREDITS: DRIFT 1760 / UTRECHT ARCHIVES
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1815 - 1915 A MODERN CITY
INDUSTRIALIZATION MARKS THE CITY
The construction of the New Dutch Waterdefenceline made the old city defence wall redundant. For the first time since centuries the city grew out of its medieval borders. The old city walls were transformed into cityparks and tradequays. With the arrival of the railways, Utrecht became a hotspot for industries. Its location on rail and waterlines made the city popular. Utrecht grew to more than 100,000 inhabitants. The old city centre transformed. Old churches were demolished, streets broadend and new functions like ‘ Winkel van Sinkel’ (the first warehouse) were established. Industrieworkers were however housed in dumps. That changed with the Health- and Housinglaws in 1902.
A MODERN SOCIETY A MODERN CITY.
PHOTOCREDITS: UTRECHT STATION 1903 / UTRECHT ARCHIVES
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1915 - 1954 A DISTRIBUTION CENTRE THE FIRST CITY-FORMATION
In the first half of the 20th century Utrecht grew bigtime. Not only the industrie but also the banks, insurance companies and the railways made the city grow to 159.000 inhabitants. The city became a city of clerks and services. New city-districts were developed for the personel of these industries. To manage the enormous urban growth of the city, the mayor Fockema Andreae invited the great architect Berlage to design an ambitious plan of expension. The plan provided a new infrastructure for the growing traffic, city functions, breaktroughs and new industry and residential areas. Although only a few ideas of the plan were actually completed, it was in fact the first time Utrecht was called a City. When in 1924 the 8-hour workingday was introduced, leisure-time became customary. The city, more and more, became a spot to spend time: the cinema, the parks, the Yearly fairs, theatre and shopping.
UTRECHT OUTGROWS ITS MODEST POSITION. A DAZZLING LEISURE AND NIGHTLIFE.
PHOTOCREDITS: POTTERSTREET 1939 / UTRECHT ARCHIVES
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1954 - 1975 CITY OF SERVICES GROWING TRAFFIC
After the second world war there was a shortage of housing because the entire production ceased in the war, was destructed, and there came the babyboom. Houses had to be built fast and efficient, which led to prefabrication and standardization. In Utrecht the great expansion started in 1954 after the formation of the Service City-Development. New districts as Hoograven, Kanaleneiland and Overvecht were built with the expectation that the city would grow up to 300,000 inhabitants. New roads were constructed within and outside the city. The Utrecht construction company Bredero built its major city-shopping centre Hoog Catharijne (1962-1969). An unique centre in the Netherlands with seperated traffic flows for pedestrians and cars, with elevated walkways. In the inner-city urban deprivation emerged. A lot of empty lots were used to park cars. There was also a plan to turn all historical waterlines into roads. Fortunately the national government appointed the Utrecht inner-city as a protected area. But it wasn’t untill the 70s that the unicity of the inner-city was again appreciated.
GADGETS FROM THE 60’S IN THE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS: REFUSE CHUTE, GLIDDING WALLS AND CENTRAL HEATING.
PHOTOCREDITS: NEW DISTRICT OVERVECHT 1970 / HERITAGE UTRECHT
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1975 - 2008 FROM VINEX TO CRISIS EXTENSION, INFILL AND REUSE
The predicted population growth for the millenium lead (again) to an enormous building production. To manage the expansion VINEX location were appointed, named after the fourth note urban planning Extra. One of them was Leidsche Rijn for the expansion of Utrecht. Of all VINEX districts in the Netherlands Leidsche Rijn is the biggest. In 2015 30,000 extra houses and 70,000 square meters of offices, services and leisure are to be ready. With the beginning of the crisis in 2008 a new era arrived: appartments and houses stayed unsold, the development of Leidsche Rijn centre became controversial and a lot of corporations switched from building new to transformation and renovation. Recently an ambitious plan for a new Library was cancelled because of the projectsbudget and more and more privat initiatives got chances to develop (bottom-up / organic planning). At this point Utrecht houses approximately 311,000 inhabitants.
DO WE STILL BELIEVE IN A SOCIALLY ENGINEERED SOCIETY?
PHOTOCREDITS: VINEX DISTRICT LEIDSCHE RIJN / LEIDSCHE RIJN BUREAU
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2008 - > STARTING 2.0
A NEW GENERATION OF CITIES
The large city-expansion are over, the building production is stagnant and visions on planning are changed. What does NEW WORK means for the city? Is bottom-up / organic development the answer? Is this the era for intensifying and minor developments? How do we handle empty property? What does our future city looks like? What is the impact of the digital era on city planning? Do we still shop, study and learn in the city? or elsewhere? On our way to future urban regions: Sustainable, self-sufficient, accessible.
WHAT ARE OUR IDEAS ON SUSTAINABLE CITY-PLANNING?
PHOTOCREDITS: UTRECHT EMPTY OFFICES / INDYMAH
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STUDENT CITY UTRECHT STUDENT CITY HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Utrecht is known for its university. It is one of the biggest universities in the Netherlands, and also one of the eldest. In the past studying was only for rich young men, both Dutch and foreign (like German, English and Scottish). Since then a lot has changed. At this moment more than 30.000 students are related to the Utrecht University, both male and female - Dutch and from abroad. University buildings are spread all over town, from the inner-city to the campus in the east (The Uithof). The presence of a university makes the city alive, smart and attractive.
THE UNIVERSITY ATTRACTED NEW AND YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE CITY.
PHOTOCREDITS: STUDENT AT HIS LANDLADIES / DUWO
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STUDENT CITY UITHOF SCIENCE CENTRE THE UNIVERSITY MOVES
After the second world war there was a boom in student applications. The University had to expand. In 1958 the decision was made to appoint a new location to build a science centre: The Uithof. The urban plan of J.A.C. van der Steur would be the blueprint of the area till 1967. A long time there was resistance in building student housing on the terrain, because it would mean less space for laboratories.That changed completely in the 1980’s with the appointment of A.V. Sikkema as head of the University Housing department. It is knwon as the great turning point. Rem Koolhaas and Art Zaaijer of the Office of Metropolitan Architecture made the urban plan. With a focus on urban and architectural design well known architects were invited. More and more the Uithof grew into a campus of modern architecture. This is also the case for the student housing. (Examples: The Educatorium // Rem Koolhaas - The University Library // Wiel Arets Casa Confetti // Marlies Rohmer)
THE UITHOF MEANS ‘ BIG SCIENCE’. A JUNCTION OF KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURE.
PHOTOCREDITS: THE FIRST BUILDINGS ON THE UITHOF 1967 / IUTRECHT ARCHIVES
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STUDENT CITY LIVING ON A SQUARE METER STUDENT HOUSING IN UTRECHT
With the boom of students in the 1950’s studenthousing was becomming a problem. In the 1960’s the government meddles with studenthousing. Universities, companies and government cooperate to realize the funding, resulting in the forming of a central foundation for studenthousing (CSS). The foundation provided in the building and interior design of the rooms. Local Universities had to manage the developed houses, for which they founded their own organisations. In Utrecht this was SSH (The Utrecht Foundation for Studenthousing). At first Utrecht housed the students in the inner-city and city-ring. Since the end of the 20th century student housing is also allowed in The Uithof. A real campus was formed. Since then SSH rents out more than 10,000 rooms in the inner-city, the Uithof, smaller and grand studentcomplexes. The newest complex ‘Johanna’ will be completed in 2014.
VARIATION IN STUDENTHOUSING: TRANSFORMED VILLA’S, SCHOOLS, OFFICES, TEMPORARY CONTAINERS, CARAVANS, NEW STUDENT UNITS IN THE CITY AND THE CAMPUSSITE.
PHOTOCREDITS: CASA CONFETTI STUDENTHOUSE / MARLIES ROHMER
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STUDENT CITY POST STUDENT - STARTING BUILDING A LIFE
Since the 1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the SSH is focussing on more than studenthousing only. The shortage of student housing is not a problem any more. with the Bouwfonds corporation SSH developed appartments for a new targetgroup: the young starters that outgrew their studentchamber or flat. In the current market it is difficult for this group to start. For Utrecht this is definately the case: buying is expensive in this aerea, and the offer is limited. There are almost 8,000 starters (ages up to 35 years) looking for a suitable space to live, of which 40% is looking for an inexpensive appartment/ unit. A new sister corporation of SSH was formed: Jebber. The main targetgroup for Jebber is the young starter. A diversity of starter units are offered to choose from: the transformed office Yavari in Overvecht, the new multi-functional complex City Campus Max in Hoograven, the new projects SOHO and Buenos Aires.
NO MORE SHORTAGE FOR STUDENT HOUSING. A NEW TASK ARISES.
PHOTOCREDITS: BUENOS AIRES HOUSING / MARLIES ROHMER
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LEIDSHE RIJN CONCENTRATED EXPANSION VINEX
Since the 1980 a new housing problem arose because fot he changing housingneeds and rules. The task for the Randstad metropolitan area was to build 1 milion new houses before 2015. The task was regulated by the national government. All over the country VINEX locations were developed. Leidsche Rijn would be the biggest of them all. Between 1995-2015 approximately 32.500 houses have to be built in the area. The new district on the East-side of Utrecht will be developed in phases. Each phase will result in a new micro-district uniquely designed by various architects, neighborhoods with their own identity and atmosphere. At the moment Hoge Woerd, Het Zand, Terwijde and the Leidsche Rijn Centre are in construction.
UP TO 32.500 HOUSES. EACH WITH AN OWN IDENTITY AND ATMOSPHERE.
PHOTOCREDITS: LEIDSCHE RIJN AEREA / GERRY HURKMANS
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LEIDSHE RIJN MASTERPLAN LEIDSCHE RIJN VARIATION AND DIVERSITY
The main structure of the aerea development are recorded in the Masterplan Leidsche Rijn: Maintaining the present structures; Link the archeological history; Development of a district watersystem; City heating; Variation and diversity; East-West and North South infrastructure; Roofed highway with park to link old and new city; Cycle infrastructure; District shopping and service aerea; 30% social housing.
A MIXED PROGRAM
PHOTOCREDITS: LEIDSCHE RIJN / LEIDSCHE RIJN BUREAU
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LEIDSHE RIJN LEIDSCHE RIJN CENTRE LINK THE OLD AND THE NEW CITY
The new city-centre Leidsche Rijn will be an urban and multi-functional area. This centre is build on the crossroad of the A2 highway and the railways. The A2 got a roof to make space for the new developments. On top of that roof an urban environment will be created. Aiming to please not only local citizens, but also the old-city inhabitants and tourist from abroad.
THE NEW CENTRE WILL LINK THE OLD WITH THE NEW CITY.
PHOTOCREDITS: LEIDSCHE RIJN CENTRE / ASR
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LEIDSHE RIJN LIVE, WORK,RECREATE A CITY OF ITS OWN
Leidsche Rijn will grow to 100,000 inhabitants in the future. A part of the city Utrecht where people life, work and recreate. In term there will be jobs for 70,000 people created. For instance the Papendorp terrain. An example of a modern business parc situated in a green environment near the city. But also for the freelancers with an one-desk spot to plug-in. For recreation, one of the biggest parcs in the Netherlands has been created: the Maximapark in the westernpart of Leidsche Rijn. This park is seven times the Vondelpark in Amsterdam. It has a restaurant designed by West 8 after an old sketch of the famous Dutch architect Kuypers, and a lot of cycle roads. Leidsche Rijn promises to be a lively new spot to dwell.
CENTRAL LOCATION. ACCESSIBLE. ACTIVITY.
PHOTOCREDITS: CREATIVE VALLEY PAPENDORP / DOORN&ROOS
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COLOFON URBAN FLOW ENDORSED BY MUNICIPALITY OF UTRECHT // KF HEIN FONDS // STICHTING STUDENTENHUISVESTING UTRECHT //PROJECTBUREAU LEIDSCHE RIJN // DE WINTER HEIJNSIUS STICHTING // VSB FONDS // PRINS BERNARD CULTUURFONDS CONTENT THE CONTENT WAS COLLECTED IN COOPERATION WITH HERITIAGE MUNICIPALITY OF UTRECHT// THE UTRECHT ARCHIVES CONCEPT // ARCHITECTURAL CENTRA AORTA . BASETEXTS // BETTINA VAN SANTEN + EDSARD KYLSTRA . EXHIBITION DESIGN // ARIENNE BOELENS OFFICE + SUPERGOED . WEBDESIGN // ATELIER OOST . WEBDEVELOPMENT // TOTENMET