History - Buiksloterham was made of reclaimed land from the Amsterdam canals; it was then used for heavy industry
Today - Recent trends toward circularity and high residential demand have called attention to the need to redevelop this polluted site for new uses
Objectives
1. Provide insight to the values of Buiksloterham’s stakeholders.
2. Specify performance objectives and indicators for eight urban systems.
3. Generate alternative spatial and policy visions based on the needs and desires of stakeholder groups.
1. Provide insight to the values of Buiksloterham’s stakeholders.
2. Specify performance objectives and indicators for eight urban systems.
3. Generate alternative spatial and policy visions based on the needs and desires of stakeholder groups.
4. Evaluate the performance of these policies and spatial plans based on the objectives previously defined.
1. Stakeholders: Developers + Amsterdam Economic Board
Developers
Goal: Make Buiksloterham an extension of downtown Amsterdam
+ Recreate a downtown atmosphere
+ Connect with transportation links
+ Model housing and services after central Amsterdam
Goal: Make Buiksloterham an extension of downtown Amsterdam
+ Recreate a downtown atmosphere
+ Connect with transportation links
+ Model housing and services after central Amsterdam
Amsterdam Economic Board
Challenges for 2025 (per https://www.amsterdameconomicboard.com/english):
+ Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (AMA) will be a leader in the field of a circular economy
+ AMA will be the most important location in Europe for data driven innovation
+ AMA inhabitants will have gained two healthy years in their lifespan
+ Urban transport in the AMA will be emission free
+ AMA will have the most adaptive and appealing labor market of Europe
Challenges for 2025 (per https://www.amsterdameconomicboard.com/english):
+ Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (AMA) will be a leader in the field of a circular economy
+ AMA will be the most important location in Europe for data driven innovation
+ AMA inhabitants will have gained two healthy years in their lifespan
+ Urban transport in the AMA will be emission free
+ AMA will have the most adaptive and appealing labor market of Europe
2. Economy Objectives + Indicators
The eight urban systems were energy, products & materials, water, ecosystem & biodiversity, infrastructure & mobility, socio-cultural, economy, and health & wellbeing. My group was tasked with defining and clarifying objectives and indicators for the economy.
Objective: Maximize local economy
Indicators:
+ Local production – GDP at or above regional average; as high as possible
+ Local employment – below regional average; as low as possible
+ Local income – average should be sufficiently high to meet cost of living; socialized housing availability comparable to central Amsterdam
+ Local services – comparable to services available in central Amsterdam
+ Diversity of activities – value flows traded through non-monetary exchange are supported; tech incubators remain in and continue to come to the area; companies with non-local markets are tied to the local economy
3. Spatial + Policy Intervention
The developer stakeholder group plan for Buiksloterham emphasizes the need for economic and cultural success in the area. Our goals were to:
+ Develop opportunities for digital innovation and integration into the local economy
+ Foster a sustainable and circular economy
+ Promote the Green Image of Buiksloterham
+ Set and example for other developing communities
+ Develop opportunities for digital innovation and integration into the local economy
+ Foster a sustainable and circular economy
+ Promote the Green Image of Buiksloterham
+ Set and example for other developing communities
1. A. Startup and tech incubator district
+ Support existing businesses by adding amenities
(Food, recreation, office needs)
+ Encourage partnships between startups, warehouses, and local businesses
(e.g.: existing wine importer adds a shop to its streetfront; coffee shop pairs up with coffee grounds recycling startup)
+ Encourage partnships between startups, warehouses, and local businesses
(e.g.: existing wine importer adds a shop to its streetfront; coffee shop pairs up with coffee grounds recycling startup)
B. Make Asterweg more amenable to pedestrians
+ In line with current road expansion plans
+ Draw tourism up from the Eye and and A'DAM
+ Display the work of startup and local business partnerships
+ Promote Buiksloterham's identity and green image
C. Flexible workplace and econimic center
+ Retrofit a currently unused warehouse
+ Support small startups with minimal needs
+ Encourage cooperation between local businesses and startups
+ Venue for discourse about the economic and developmental future of Buiksloterham
2. Install fiber optic internet connection for the entire study area
3. Community center and flexible marketplace
+ Permanent shelter for informal or non-monetary economies
(Won't directly compete with nearby Moveld shopping center)
+ Amenities for locals such as childcare, wellness, fitness, and recreation
+ Venue for educational workshops promoting sustainable lifestyles, events, and gatherings
+ Outdoor area rennovated with walkways over phytoremediating soil to educate visitors
(Currently a vacant campsite)
4. Residential development
+ Respond to existing high demand for housing along waterfront
+ Require 30% social housing
+ Encourage varied types of residential development
(Short term housing like student housing and hostels can serve as laboratories for local innovators)
5. Leave the Northeastern area to continue natural development
+ Protect existing businesses and housing in this multiuse area
4. Evaluation
Evaluation of stakeholder groups with objectives
Consistency of findings over slight variances in input
The plans were then collectively evaluated using the objectives and indicators we had defined. With all things weighted equally, the plan made by the developer + economic board group were average in satisfying each criteria, compared to the other groups. We also found that some of our interventions coincided with those set out by other groups. Specifically, our selection of the site for a community center was echoed in other groups, as well as our decision to for the most part allow the Northeastern area to develop on its current trajectory.
