Reimagining Schinkelkwartier

Living working ​concepts

Narrative

In front of you is a scale model (1:1000) of the proposed plans for Schinkelkwartier ​for the municipality. On this model, five different details (1:200) are shown. With ​each detail including a theme; Mobility, Energy, Working Living Concepts, Climate ​Risk and Social Inclusion. These five different details are further explained on this ​website, whereas each theme has a dedicated page.

This model is created for the municipality and future residents. On one hand, the ​municipality can have a good look at the subjects we instill and how they could ​consider the research that has been done. On the other hand, it's to start a ​conversation, get some participation and mainly engage the future residents of ​their neighbourhood. The different themes highlight specific focus areas where the ​municipality still has room for improvement.

While it was hard to find one product that can help people understand the key ​talking points, this scale model serves as a tool to visualize and communicate the ​various aspects of the Schinkelkwartier development. By integrating detailed ​themes into the model, it provides a representation of the future neighbourhood ​and also facilitates a better understanding of the complex interplay between ​different urban planning elements. Our product aims to drive critical discussions, ​and encourage active participation from all stakeholders in shaping the future of ​Schinkelkwartier.

Innovative living working concepts

The Municipality’s Projectnota displays a playbook with key design rules for each sub neighbourhood of Schinkelkwartier, including information ​on the proposed living / working mix. With the insights from the “The Future of Living and Working” section, applying spatial and organisational ​strategies, we critically evaluate the different typologies and identify opportunities for applying innovative living-working concepts spatially.

Social Inclusion

In the plans for Riekerpark from the Municipality of Amsterdam, an aspect that ​stands out is the redevelopment of the area from a business-oriented ​neighbourhood to a city district with many new residents. Until now, most of the ​residents of Riekerpark were living in Startblok Riekerhaven, a flex-housing ​experiment that aims to integrate statusholders into the Dutch society, through ​living together with students of a similar age. Community building and self-​organization stood central to creating the community. Startblok Riekerhaven was ​located in an isolated area, which allowed residents to influence their living space ​and create a strong community bond without interference.

However, the lack of mental health support for the processing of trauma of the ​statusholders, caused the community to fall apart. Issues concerning (social) safety ​accelerated the decline of the area, to the low point when one of the buildings ​caught fire, which resulted in many residents losing their homes.

As can be seen by the maquette, the experimental character of Startblok ​Riekerhaven and the fire, often made the news. Hence, this research aims to offer a ​new perspective on flex-housing, which considers it a valuable neighbourhood ​asset that is useful for creating social connections. The concept of integration is ​analyzed while focusing on the concept of social connections. The complexities and ​lessons learned of creating an inclusive community and the success factors of the ​experiment are highlighted. By learning from Startblok Riekerhaven, other ​flexhousing projects can enhance the integration and quality of life of residents, ​which also benefits the broader community and neighbourhood.

Timeline of Startblok Riekerhaven

Mobility

The municipality aims for a nearly car-free area of Schinkelkwartier. By doing so a ​hub needs to be created to serve people from not well-connected areas by ​transport. Commuters travel by car to the neighbourhood and go further via public ​transport or shared mobility. To address this, a P+R solution with a regional mobility ​hub is proposed, potentially connecting to the new Noord-Zuid Lijn station. A ​simplified version of this hub is shown on the maquette. Other locations of hubs are ​shown in the figure. This regional hub could serve a broader range of users, ​including weekend visitors, and be complemented by shared mobility initiatives ​like corporate bike-sharing and smaller city hubs.

This shared mobility could reduce car use for last-mile journeys, addressing long ​walking times from stations. Implementing shared corporate mobility solutions and ​city hubs around transport nodes promotes sustainable transport for last-mile ​mobility, enhanced through MaaS or smart mobility solutions.

A pilot program involves local companies in Nieuwe Meer Oost and West working ​with the municipality to invest in a shared mobility system with e-bikes and regular ​bikes for employees, subsidized for free use by employees and a small fee for others. ​Bikes will be available at metro stations and designated hubs, with the necessary ​infrastructure for bike parking. This pilot aims to shift towards shared mobility, ​integrating various transport options through MaaS, and will test its effectiveness in ​solving last-mile issues.

Park 'N’ Play Copenhagen

Energy

The municipality is dedicated to achieving its energy transition goals with a focus on ​energy justice, a complex aspect of this effort. By exploring different scenarios and ​highlighting the importance of participation, trust, and stability among stakeholders, ​we address the risks of social injustice associated with energy transitions. We offer ​realistic options to navigate the energy transition in Schinkelkwartier, which can be a ​case study for other regions in the city of Amsterdam.

Participatory market scenario

Schinkelkwartier's status as an innovation district, home to major corporations and ​start-ups, can drive energy transition solutions without having influence of politics. ​There will be participation, involving both mandated engagement through the ​Environment Law and resident-initiated efforts. But as is shown in the scenario's, it can ​bring chaos and energy justice isn't likely.

Functional state scenario

Municipal influence would primarily be through national government channels, ​building on progress made with the new Energy Law. With this scenario having ​participation and a stable policy, it seems that this could be a fair energy just scenario.

Police state scenario

municipalities gain significant powers, with potential for public utilities to manage the ​energy transition and have strict oversight of energy companies. The 2024 ​Environment Law already provides municipalities with greater authority. As this ​scenario misses participation, it will more look like a strictly regulated situation, where ​consequences should be looked into.

Innovative state

Police state

Functional state

Climate Risk

Beyond droughts and floods

Urban areas and their systems are complex and interconnected. These systems ​must be understood and taken into consideration when planning an area to be ​climate resilient. For Schinkelkwartier, we worked on a strategy that assists in ​transitioning to a climate resilient neighbourhood. By doing so we aim at ​decreasing climate risks like floods and droughts, which are visualised in the ​maquette.

Sustainable Water Management

In order to encompass a path towards climate resilience, we focussed on water. ​Using a framework based on four pillars(environmental, social, technical, and ​economic) we address Schinkelkwartier, with sustainable water management as ​the central part of climate risk.

Recommendations

Key recommendations include enhancing soil health, implementing a fine-grid ​water system, supporting community initiatives, and adjusting real-estate values for ​climate risk. With these measures, Schinkelkwartier can become more resilient and ​sustainable in its water management.