the challenge

diagram by Miriam van Eck

The Netherlands after facing a decline in the housing market over the years 2009-2016 is currently experiencing an upswing in its economy and is in high demand of new houses. Researches from various Dutch policymakers clearly state the need for building up to one million homes until 2035. After the introduction of the VINEX programme in the ‘90s, an attempt to expand cities, the authorities now opt for a different strategy that would preserve the open landscapes in between cities as much as possible. For this reason, the focus of designers has now been shifted to planning within the existing urban environments, resulting in denser districts. The city of Delft holds an important place in the Randstad, even though its small scale, due to its historical significance and the presence of the TU. The Municipality has been assigned by the Province of Zuid-Holland to create up to 15.00 housing units. This immense number of houses has to be distributed in the city context, excluding the main old city core from it. The TU campus offers a unique chance for this development. The ownership issues that have holded the city from taking advantage of this area are now hypothetically overcomed and the given scenario is to explore the functional relations of the campus with the rest of the city, in an attempt to make an attractive and competitive environment that would inspire people, not only to study here, but also to stay and build their lives.