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Chapter title

utrecht a place for knowledge?




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Chapter title




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Chapter title



27 01 2011 — EMU mobility studio

instructors: Remon Rooij, Roberto Rocco, Daan Zandbelt

team: Adrian Hill, Advait Jani, Eline Bugarin, Lauren Abrahams,

Tahereh Keimanesh, Vahid Kiumarsi, Yingtian Zhang

website: http://knowledgeinutrecht.wordpress.com



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TABLE of CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION

2 UTRECHT: A PLACE FOR KNOWLEDGE?

3 ANALYSIS & ACTIONS

4 REGIONAL STRATEGY

5 LOCAL INTERVENTIONS

6 CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

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10-15

16-52

53-59

60- 76

77-78

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Introduction



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1 INTRODUCTION

The fall 2010 EMU studio, ‘Spatial Strategies

for Innovative Mobility Environments in the

Networked City Region’, served not only as an

academic platform to investigate critical issues

related to mobility and contemporary cities, but

also as a vehicle for seven individuals to confront

personal and practical issues in a foreign cultural

context.

Our diverse group of postgraduate students

spans the globe; from Australia to Canada, China

to India, Iran and Mexico. With varying academic

backgrounds and approaches, the semester

o ered a unique and sometimes challenging

opportunity to reflect on our routine ways

of seeing the world, challenge each others

perspectives and arrive at unpredictable

conclusions.

We approached the studio work laterally. This

led to a semester marked by many exploratory

paths, often divergent, but constantly raising new

questions and thus leading to enriched iterations.



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Introduction

a parallel process

As the semester neared its end, we began

discussing the format and content of the final

presentation. We decided collectively that there

was one medium that seemed the obviouschoice; a video.

The process of making a video — organising,

editing, narrating — gave us the opportunity to

reflect upon and arrange all of the fragments

of work that we had accumulated throughout

the previous months. In revisiting old ideas and

incorporating new questions, we were able

to synthesize our work into a cohesive story

that reflects not only our ideas about mobilityenvironments, but also acts to animate the

process that we were engaged in.

This document is intended to compliment the

video that we have produced; which can be

viewed at the following web address:

http://knowledgeinutrecht.wordpress.com

We believe that the questions we have raised

and the proposals that we have made havea relevance that reaches far beyond the

boundaries of the Province of Utrecht, our site

of strategic intervention. Urbanism is inherently

interdisciplinary and thus it is critical that we

stimulate discussions that involve mobility,

economy, environment, and community. The

product of this studio reflects these curiosities

and concerns and aims to provoke new questions.



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Introduction



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Utrecht: a place for knowledge?



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2 UTRECHT: A PLACE FOR KNOWLEDGE

Nowadays, it seems like everyone is claiming

to be a knowledge city- or at least aspiring to

be one. But how much of this self-proclaimed

knowledge identity is really about knowledge,

and how much is about clever marketing to

attract international investment? This vague

concept seems conveniently mutable and lacks

any kind of meaningful definition. As planners

and designers- we recognise this as a problem-

because ambiguous ambitions can only be met

with ambiguous actions.

Therefore, before we can act within the Province

of Utrecht, we believe that a critical and

contextual redefinition of knowledge and the

environments that support it is in order.

what is a knowledge city?

According to the Randstad 2040 Vision, a key

directive aims to ‘... strengthen Utrecht’s national

potential as a hub and knowledge city ...’ (VROM

2008: 38). Furthermore, ‘Invest in Utrecht’ —

the Foreign Investment Oce of the Province

of Utrecht — has aspirations for the region to

become ‘the leading knowledge centre for earth

and sustainability.’ (Invest Utrecht 2010).

While we are very encouraged by their

intentions, we wonder: what does it really

mean to be a ‘knowledge centre’?



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We advocate for the Utrecht region a

broadening of its definition of knowledge and its

relation to the city, to re-engage all members of

the community, by strengthening its daily spatial

structures and organizations.

relating knowledge and the city

There are some very obvious indicators

underscoring Utrecht’s position as a centre for

knowledge based on its strong service economy

and interdependencies with a range of regional

and global communities. But there must be more

to a knowledge city than Advanced Producer

Service clusters and global financial networks...or

at least there should be.

We believe that these explicit knowledge

environments tell only a small part of the story.



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Chapter title



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3 ANALYSIS & ACTIONS

scale, scope and action

Analysis has been undertaken at three di erent

scales and scopes. By unpacking the Province

of Utrecht’s existing spatial structures and

relationship to knowledge, specific actions areidentified.

Firstly, a broad overview indicates Utrecht’s

defining characteristics as a knowledge center.

Secondly, a finer grained regional analysis

highlights the variations in performance of the

primary spatial structure in relation to scale

and viewpoint. Finally, a detailed investigation of

the mobility structure, landscape structure and

urban structure reveals critical issues which are

evaluated in relation to the proposed planningsolutions. Specific actions are outlined to address

these weak moments.

As Utrecht city plays a dominant role within the

regional system, a disproportionate number of

problems and opportunities are also present

there. Many of our actions are thus focused

on the city, but intended to have broader a ects

through the region and beyond. These aggregate

actions constitute a new spatial structure,

fostering potential for innovation though: a re-configured mobility network; a re-programmed

landscape catalysing urban transformation over time.

The chain reaction by which local actions

propagate themselves, dynamically responding to

unexpected conditions, constitutes a key part of

our approach.



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Analysis & Actions



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Analysis & Actions

facts & figures

A preliminary analysis indicates that from a ‘facts

& figures’ standpoint, Utrecht fares very well as

a knowledge centre. The Province of Utrecht is

geographically positioned at the centre of the

Netherlands making Utrecht - its largest city,

with a pop. of 300 0001 the most accessible city

by all modes of transport. This infrastructural

convergence supports a high level of in and out

commuting, indicating the participation of the

Province in a number of functional networks.

This is extremely relevant for us as planners and

designers.

As relationships between live,work and play

are increasingly happening across a much wider

territory, new and flexible spatial structures are

required.

1http://investinutrecht.com/home.html



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Analysis & Actions

Utrecht’s central position in the Netherlands

Utrecht’s position within these networks is

defined by its profile as a leader in life sciences,

ICT, Gaming and sustainable technologies,

supported by a host of high-tech research and

business institutions and the largest and top

ranked university in the country. The Province’s

high skilled, high educated labour force underpins

the complementary and competitive roles that

Utrecht plays in multiple scales of functional

networks from regional, to network region to

national, European and beyond.



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Analysis & Actions

Human Capital in Utrecht Advance Service Producers constitute Utrecht’s major economic resources

Total population of Utrecht Di erent transport networks converging in Utrecht



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Analysis & Actions



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Analysis & Actions

A l i & A i



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Analysis & Actions

low & high resolution

From a preliminary analysis, it becomes clear

that the interaction and distribution of the

daily spatial structures; mobility, landscape andurban, can produce very di erent environments

depending on scale and viewpoint, what we are

calling resolution.

A l i & A ti



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Analysis & Actions

LOW RESOLUTIONAt a lower resolution, Utrecht as a province

may seem very well connected and suciently

diverse with its strong DNA; a robust mobility

network, diverse landscape types and a mixed

urban matrix. But as we increase the resolution

towards a finer grained examination, we canunderstand that the distribution of this DNA is

often uneven.

Utrecht and Amersfoort city centres are vibrant

and varied, but could benefit from and bring

benefit to other nodes within the hierarchy such

as Papendorp and the Uithof university campus.

These two knowledge nodes are important

environments both for the regional and

international performance of the province.However, they are highly dependent on

automobile transport and not conveniently

located in relation to transit stations.

A strengthened connection between these four

primary centres can mutually benefit local and

national accessibility.

Secondary nodes, which are well connected

to the centre are predominantly residential. In

competition with the more diverse city centre,

businesses are not attracted: building stocks

are deteriorating, populations are aging and the

market is locating elsewhere.

A recent report into available oce space in

the Netherlands found in the order of 2 million

square meters of available space, vacant due

to the ‘...qualities of a district, the provision of

amenities and links with the urban network...’ in

other words there are financial incentives for aMIX of uses (CIE 2010).

Many areas are being a ected by this lack

of mix and connection, both exclusively

business oriented environments as well as

poorly connected, mono-functional residential

communities.

Furthermore- elements that act as connectors

at a lower resolution- in fact create barriersfor integration at the local level. This leads

to disruptions and missing links within the

mobility network as well as homogenous urban

environments that promote segregation over

diversity.

Low Resolution: Mobility Structure

Low Resolution: Landscape Structure

Low Resolution: Urban Structure

‘...qualities of a district,the provision of amenitiesand links with the urban

network...’ (CIE 2010)

Analysis & Actions



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Analysis & Actions

To address these under-performing

environments, specific conditions are created

that trigger processes with multiplier e ects.

The following analysis will unpack the spatial

structures (mobility, landscape & urban),

highlighting the regional actions being taken.

HIGH RESOLUTION

High Resolution: hierarchy of nodes High Resolution: car dependent nodes (Papendorp & Uithof )

High Resolution: station proximity High Resolution: strengthened connection between primary nodes

High Resolution: mono-functional areas High Resolution: local barriers

Analysis & Actions



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Analysis & Actions

mobility structure

Analysis & Actions



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Analysis & Actions

2http://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/home/default.htm

mobility structure

Utrecht’s mobility structure operates as two

transport centers, hinging around Utrecht

city and to a lesser degree Amersfoort. This

convergence of transportation infrastructure

facilitates high levels of mobility caused by

commuting and student movement between thecentral station and the campus. However, with

75%2 of the province’s modal split still dominated

by automobile trac, congestion has become a

critical issue, especially at peak hours. Without

an articulated hierarchy in the road network and

because of its central geographic location,

national and local flows share the same clogged

road system- leading to the OECD’s declaration

that ‘Congestion has become a burden for the

Dutch economy’ (OECD 2010). Furthermore,

the spoke organisation places emphasis on the

Central station and leaves many peripheraltrain stations underused and their surroundings

undervalued.

We see the potential to shift from its current

‘hub and spoke’ model to a multi-centric, multi-

modal network.

Because the current mobility structure converges

at the center of Utrecht, where the most

congestion can be seen- our strategy is also

centered on the city. However – these local

actions contribute to an improved transport

network that a ects the entire region.

Analysis & Actions



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Analysis & Actions

road network

The common approach to deal with

congestion caused by a lack of hierarchy in

the road networks is to widen the highways,

accommodating secondary trac. But these

expensive, aggregate, interventions can lead to

increased car trac- failing to address the heart

of the issue.

We propose to di erentiate a secondary

network by upgrading existing local peripheral

roads.

Furthermore, by adding a Bus Rapid Transport

route along the newly articulated secondary

ring road, pressure is alleviated from the central

station. The under-used peripheral stations

become activated and a local transportation

system is defined.

Currently, the Utrecht’s park and ride nodes are

not promoted for daily use, or to be used, as

they are located very close to the center – hardly

encouraging users to help reduce congestion

through user friendly alternatives.

We propose a P+R solution connecting the ring

road and peripheral stations to the highways as

well as closing certain high exits to more fluidly

di erentiate between local and national trac.

Other soft, behavioral measures; such as road

pricing, congestion charges and parking charges

could supplement our hardware proposal.

While we accept the sustained use of private

automobiles as a reality, we are taking measure

to encourage multi-modal trips to avoid the

ongoing road building.

trac congestion Park and Ride proposal

planned roadworks

secondary ring road proposal

Analysis & Actions



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Analysis & Actions

public transit

Currently, the city contains one tram, Tram

A, connecting Nieuwegein to the city centre.

An extension to between the central station

and the university campus, has recently been

adopted, which aims to replace 45 buses per

hour currently required. However the proposedtram route does not provide a connection to

numerous important existing destinations with

high transport demands, such as the stadium and

the hospital. Reconfiguring this proposed route

will link four hospitals, two centres and existing

and future urban areas.

But there are other major destinations - we

thus propose a second tram, Line B, providing

valuable physical connections and strategically

catalyze mixes-of-use in more segregated

environments.

In response to the new tram route, we are

also reconfiguring the bus system towards a

high frequency intermodal network based on

interchange stations distributed more evenly

across the city.

planned tram extension reconfigured extension proposal reconfigured bus network

Analysis & Actions



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y

Analysis & Actions



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y

P+R

water taxi

potential extended

canal

Park and Ride

tram line A (exsiting

and extended)

tram line B(proposed)

proposed bypass

proposed bus line

potential bus

line extension

0 5 10 15 20



Analysis & Actions



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Beyond unlocking local transformation potential,

the combined mobility strategy strengthens the

link between the two city centres, Utrecht and

Amersfoort, using the university campus as a

mult-modal hinge.

As well, by separating the regional from national

trac, the connection between Amsterdam,

Utrecht and Eindhoven becomes more fluid,

facilitating an R & D corridor, improving

investment opportunities along its length.

Analysis & Actions



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landscape structure

Analysis & Actions



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source: http://www.visitbelgium.com

landscape structure

The province of Utrecht is constituted by a

wide variety of landscapes: forests, wetlands,

national and cultural, productive and ecologically

protected areas.

Located partly within the boundary of the green

heart, and intersected by the new waterline, the

recreational potential of the province is great-

but should be enhanced though strengthened

connections with the urban and mobility

structures.

Extreme development pressure is cluttering the

landscape. This is of great concern, especially in

light of rising sea levels, and has been red flagged

in all levels of recent spatial planning documents.

We see the potential to shift from an un-

di erentiated landscape, that is loosely connected

to cities and recreation to a reprogrammed

landscape structure. By building upon the existing

diversity of natural resources we propose to

innovate new types of productive landscapes that

shape and are shaped by urban conditions.

Analysis & Actions



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ecological links

The province contains many ecologically

sensitive areas.

In line with the national proposal for a

comprehensive ecological structure, we proposeto link these areas both to each other and

to the recreational network, rehabilitating a

resilient ecosystem that forms the foundation of

subsequent landscape development.

the new waterline

We see the new waterline as an invaluable

cultural and recreational resource. We propose

to link the 19th century water defense line

and its forts, many of which are already

being independently redeveloped, creatinga recreational spine that complements the

reconfigured mobility structure. This will

increase accessibility between city and landscape

while promoting slow mobility such as walking or

bicycling.

green corridor

By introducing a stronger east/west green link

between the green heart, the town of Woerden,

Utrecht city center, Uithof and Amersfoort, we

can locate zones along this corridors to promote

innovative and entrepreneurial relationshipsbetween urban and rural.



Analysis & Actions



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urban structure

Analysis & Actions



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urban structure

Utrecht has grown dramatically in the last 50

years and has a diverse range of housing, work

and cultural environments: from thriving mixes to

more segregated/mono-functioning zones- from

historic to contemporary.

The demand to accommodate an upwards of

50 000 houses3 in the province stems from

changes in the housing market; national in-

migration and trends towards larger units with

smaller numbers of inhabitants.

Current proposals designate greenfield

development sites and infill capacity, but do not

overtly address “troubled” areas. Furthermore,

by strategically challenging accepted Dutch

densities- there are opportunities to densify

under-utilized and highly accessible areas or

providing a greater choice of housing distributed

types across the urban areas.

High-tech business parks are located throughout

the province- many of which depend entirely on

the highway network. In keeping with the

3 http://www.provincie-utrecht.nl/

provincial objectives in the Utrecht 2040 strategy

a move away from mono-functional business

centres and towards a finer-grained mix of live/

work and work/learn environments has been

facilitated (Provincie Utrecht 2009).

We intend to trigger local scale urban

transformations that target unbalanced urban

zones; promoting strategic scales of diversity

through the reconfiguration of existing built

environments and the introduction of new mixes.

Analysis & Actions



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“A mixture of uses, if it is to be

safety, public contact and cross-use, needs an enormous diversity

of ingredients. How can cities generate enough

mixture among uses - enoughdiversity - throughout enough of

the territories, to sustain their own civilisation?”

(Jacobs, 1961: 144)

Analysis & Actions



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There are many zones within the province

that we have identified as healthy, mixed

environments. However, they are not always

accessible, especially from segregated parts of

the city that could most benefit from integrating

the activities and economies of these diverseplaces into their daily experience.

There are also areas that lack a strong mix of use

and are poorly integrated; leading to depressed

social and environmental conditions.

By providing connections and creating new nodes

through the proposed infrastructural changes,

urban transformation processes are triggered in

the targeted zones which consequently alter the

functioning of the surrounding neighborhoods.

Analysis & Actions



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implicit interventions

Seemingly small adaptations, such as the

introduction of a cafe - can have profound

e ects on the dynamism ,resilience and the

neighbourhood spirit of a place.

As stated by Steven Johnson (2010), “an idea is a

network”, and a network must start in a place.

These types of implicit environments provide

an essential community venue where ideas are

discussed and exchanged.

Analysis & Actions



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‘An idea is a network...The network patterns of the outside world mimic

a lot of the network patterns of theinternal world of the human brain.’

‘...the...thing that makesthe coffee house important

is the architecture of thespace. It was a space where people would get together

from different backgrounds

expertise to share ideas...’

(Johnson 2010)

Analysis & Actions



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knowledge, networks and place

Historically in the Netherlands, knowledge,

everyday experience and place were in constant

communication- innovations linked ideas and

actions for the benefit of a whole community.

Knowledge capital emerged as a direct responseto the problems and opportunities of a place.

Over time, knowledge has become commodified,

supported by and profiting a more limited

segment of the population.

knowledge

experience

place

Analysis & Actions



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This commodification of knowledge has resulted

in enormous economic growth.

It has also led to patterns of mass consumption,

wastefulness and profit driven decision-making-

by ensuring that the processes that encourage

these bad habits become increasingly invisible.

Rather than seeing sustainability as a hindrance

to economic growth, by bringing knowledge back

to place and networking place based innovation

potentials- economic, social and environmental

objectives can be mutually reinforcing.

Analysis & Actions



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actions

{

ideas

innovation{

Analysis & Actions



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‘... at no previous time in the history ... do there seem tohave been such pregnant opportunities for bringing the

dimensions of economy, culture, and place back into somesort of practical and humanly reasonable harmony.’

(Scott 2006: 14)

Analysis & Actions



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spatialising innovation networks

The Province of Utrecht is addressing this

opportunity, by transitioning away from a more

structured approach towards strategic planning;

encouraging Public private partnerships and

private stakeholders to steer development.

A key component of their strategy is to promoteinnovation through funding and networking.

We are spatialising their initiative to bring

local entrepreneurs, industry and knowledge

institutions together through innovative

organizational structures, by locating places for

these exchanges to occur.

Analysis & Actions



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4 REGIONAL STRATEGY

the strategy

To identify these weak moments within the

spatial structure (mobility, landscape, urban) of

the Province of Utrecht; interpret the planning

alternatives currently being proposed by the

province and take specific actions to:

1) strategically LINK disconnected areas

through re-configuring the current infrastructural

network; and

2) encourage a diverse MIX within the urban

environment.

By creating local conditions that will trigger

transformation processes, we are setting the

spatial foundations for a resilient city, one that

fosters place-based innovation by all members

of its community and distributes the benefits of

knowledge evenly across the territory.

In turn, these transformed explicit and implicit

knowledge environments will better support

functional relationships at the regional and

national scale.

Regional Strategy



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mobility structure :

The current ‘hub and spoke’ model, centered

on Utrecht city center shifts to a multi-centric,multi-modal network through the following ac-

tions:

targeted areas;

urban structure :

Local scale urban transformations are triggered

that target unbalanced urban zones; promoting

strategic scales of diversity through the re-

configuration of existing built environments andthe introduction of new mixes.

landscape structure :

A transition from an undi erentiated landscape,

that is loosely connected to cities and recreation

to a re-programmed landscape structure is

facilitated. Building upon the existing diversityof natural resources, new types of productive

landscapes are innovated; that shape and are

shaped by urban conditions.

a stronger east/west green link locates zones



Regional Strategy



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Regional Strategy



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“Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. Newideas must use old buildings.” (Jacobs 1961: 188)

innovation and mix

We have already discussed the importance of

implicit knowledge environments, such as the

co ee shop or a community meeting space.

However in terms of working or implicit

environments: small producers, as described by

Jane Jacobs, are often the biggest risk-takers andmost innovative. And in spatial terms she states:

Both new and old ideas are essential to a vibrant

mix. Thus for large and small producers to

co-exist, there must be a mixture of prominent

or privileged locations suitable for the large

producers and central cheap sites attractive to

the small producers.

what is a diverse functional mix?

This mix is firstly about creating ‘e ectiveness’,

or a balance, where functions with similar

but complimentary demands for services and

infrastructure spread that demand throughout the day.

So how is this important for knowledgeenvironments? A mix for example can mean

an intersection of di erent types of people with

di erent ideas and needs: thus creating networks

for ideas to be developed. The Province’s new

planning strategy aspires for an environment of

innovation, so how is this spatialised?

Regional Strategy



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Regional Strategy



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5 LOCAL INTERVENTIONS

trigger sites

The re-configuration of the mobility network

unlocks potential for local urban transformation.

Seven trigger sites have been identified;

characteristic ‘typologies’ dominated by mono-

functionality, segregation of uses or weak

connectivity. Site plans are proposed, illustratinghow mobility can support complimentary land-

use mixes and catalyse diversity.

The examples demonstrate how an area can

contain a great diversity of functions such as

business areas, residential areas, light

industrial/bulky goods storage and open

space, however, when examined at a fine

resolution, the sites are dysfunctional due to the

compartmentalisation and lack of interaction

between uses.

Mobility connections to link the sites are

proposed such as: a pedestrian or slow network

to the centre and along water front; tram

connections and water transport.

1. Maarssen

2. Papendorp

3. Kanaleneiland

4. Transwijk

5. Central Station

6. Uihof

7. Soest

Local Interventions



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1

2

3

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7

5

Local Interventions

water taxi



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Tram line

Housing

Shop

redevelopment area

Oce

Park Pedestrain

existing road

Proposed road

Increased densities

0 200100 m

Local Interventions



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MAARSSEN

Maarssen West is an example of a neighborhood

with many di erent land uses that remain

ineciently mixed. This site is an important

multi-modal gateway, connecting the A2 highway

with other modes of transport at a commercial

centre.

A new town developed around a regional train

station, the area consists of a small private

shopping complex and a commercial oce space

and otherwise low density row housing with high

car dependence.

Maarssen has a lot of potential based on

mobility, making it an attractive place to access

the Amsterdam/Schiphol hi-tech corridor.

However, its urban spaces are not vibrant and

this may be a crucial detractor.

We propose to reposition Maarssen as a major

inter-modal transport node, supplemented by

the new tram and water transport. Improved

transport will increase investment potential in the

area as part of a larger development strategy.

This could involve the following sequence of

interventions:

a P+R station collecting commuters from the

new highway exit;

replacing the extensive car parking around

the station with pedestrian streets and a new

public square such that the mobility, retail and

community generate a vibrant urban space;

a mix of high density transport oriented

housing and commercial space creating

attractive working and living opportunities.

Local Interventions

Tram line



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W

1000500 m

Housing

Shop

Oce

Park

Pedestrain

existing road

S

Shop

L

J a a r b

e u r s

L

A 1 2

A 2

W

W

W

W

W

W

1 m

r ml in

t r t i

LE E

H u in

h

v l m n t r

ffic

r

tr in

i tin r

i tin tr m

Local Interventions



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PAPENDORP

Papendorp is an example of a mono-functioning

business centre. It has little diversity, apart from

oces. While it is well connected to two of the

major highways, it lays dormant during non-

working hours, with under-used facilities and

spaces. Likewise, workers either live on theopposite side of Utrecht or commute due to lack

of quality housing options thus contributing to

the congestion issues.

The comfort of the proposed TRAM B line,

connecting Papendorp to the centre, the

the University and Leidesche Rijn retail centre

may alleviate access issues. However without a

mix, Papendorp faces long-term degeneration as

found in other business parks in the province.

A mix may be achieved by:a water-side pedestrian area;

high quality housing on the waterfront;

a boat harbour with water-side restaurants

which will act as an attractor; and

.

the provision of facilities, such as shops and

services, shared between daytime businesses,

the residential areas and the new harbour.

Development on this site will remain segregated

unless considered part of a larger strategypromoting public safety, social cohesion and

quality of urban areas.

.

Local Interventions

water taxi



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W

0 1000500 m

Tram line

Transport line

Shop

semi-public space

Park

Pedestrain

existing road

Proposed road

Local Interventions



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KANALENEILAND

Across the water, Kanaleneiland is an example of

mono-functional housing in a central precinct.

The area is currently well served by transport

and close to the centre, however buildings

do not compliment this. The area is dulland contains little diversity, the buildings

are repeated, with large bland blocks and

uninteresting public spaces. It contains a

concentration of a low income residents due

to the monopoly of social housing, especially in

Kanaleneiland Nord. Therefore it is no surprise

that crime levels and social issues are high,

especially along the waterfront. The problems

here are both physical and social.

The area has three major assets: the river, the

Transwijk Park and the transport routes, whichcan influence land value, density and diversity.

Improving amenity and creating a greater social

mix may occur by:

commercial space;

particularly along the waterfront creating safe

meeting places with adjoining cafes;

and commercial diversity opportunities, starting

with the best valued sites;

increase permeability;

public and public space.

Local Interventions

Tram line

water taxi



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0 200100 m

Housing

Shop

redevelopment area

Oce

Park

Pedestrain

existing road

Proposed road

Local Interventions

TRANSWIJK



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Only a short distance to the east, is an example

of post-industrial land-use. This area is not only

central and extremely well connected but also

adjoins a potential waterfront asset. However,it acts as a barrier between the adjoining urban

areas and the city. The industry is being replaced

by higher paying renters, such as ICT and design

businesses, however its current function and

urban layout do little to compliment its central

location and position along the waterfront.

Our proposal aims to:

subsidised use of existing buildings through

attracting innovative start-up businesses,

creative professionals and small R+D

companies;

development over existing carparks;

or restaurants;

performance space, drawing leisure activities;

housing, appealing to students.

Local Interventions



70

Local Interventions



71

UTRECHT CENTRAL STATION

Utrecht is the centre of a regional and national

train network, with Central Station as its busiest

hub. Therefore it is a large and complex mobility

node, which for many is the principle interchange

between the train and destinations throughout

the city. Way-finding is confusing within thestation precinct as it also contains a shopping

centre, a major bus interchange, a link to the

country’s largest exhibition centre and numerous

paths and passages. In addition, the train line,

which provides a vital connection outside the city,

becomes a dramatic barrier within it.

Connectivity between the station and other high

profile nodes within the city such as Papendorp

business park, Pijlsweerd business area and the

Uithof would be improved with a seemless

connection between the train and the tram.

The proposal consists of:

station with direct connection from the train

platform to the tram;

international bus stop with direct access to the

tram and train;

directly from the station to Kanaleneiland via

Jaarbeurs exhibition hall providing an alternativeroute, avoiding the station precinct.

Local Interventions



72

W

Tram linewater taxi

LEGEND

Institutional Development

P+R

Pedestrain

existing road

Tram linewater taxi

LEGEND

Park

0 500m250

Local Interventions



73

UITHOF CAMPUS

The Uitho is an example of a large education

environment which is not directly connected to

the city centre.

The university campus is a site that mixes learning,

research and practice with university study, ahospital and numerous private R+D firms creating

working and research partnerships. While this

appears to be a mix of functions, the functions

have relatively similar demands and therefore the

resources are taken advantage of during short

periods of the day and during the week.

This could change if the services and facilities on

campus become more attractive to the larger

community by:

for city bound commuters to balance peak

commuting services including a supermarketand other basic services;

defense line, linking the botanic gardens and

the Utrecht landscape interpretation centre

with other cultural buildings;

and a gym adjoining the P+R, for after

hours demand freeing up numerous inner city

sports grounds for urbanisation;

reviving the existing canals and create a stronger biking link to surrounding train stations.

The new tram line terminates at the University with

the mixed use P+R station on the edge of the city. The

new P+R system has been coupled with other land uses

and serves as a bu er for movements into the city.

Local Interventions



74

inll housing area

inll commercial area

inll commercial area

railway

local road

main road

proposed road

pedestrian

existing train station

relocated station

0 250 500m

Local Interventions



75

SOEST

An alternative approach for managing congestion

while using a train station as the foundation for

urban areas in a highly car dependent suburban

settlement can be investigated at Soest.

Soest consists of a large suburban area withouta strong centre or variety in population density.

Land function is predominantly residential.

Mobility is highly car based. Its’ three train

stations are neither centrally located or well

utilised.

we propose a greater mix by:

extended from the station;

arterial roads, integrating it into the urban fabric;

provided for the service level residents and

focused around station access;

space connected to commercial area and linked

to the station.

Conclusions



76



The city is a dynamic and uncertain place. This

sentiment is paralleled by our proposed strategy;

moving away from a deterministic ‘blue-print’

plan and towards an approach that structures

changes over time.

Resilience, is driving theme in this strategy.

Utrecht currently contains many components of a place that can profit from knowledge - when

viewed at a higher resolution. However this

changes when one observes the composition

of the urban areas at a lower resolution, or, at

a local scale. Therefore, we have referred to

simple but vital first principles described

by Jane Jacobs almost fifty years ago which aim to

create a mix or balance of functions. This may

start by investing in simple meeting places such

as a cafe noted by Johnson, but also aim for a

greater mix of work, live and play.

By creating local conditions that will trigger

transformation processes, we are setting thespatial foundations for a resilient city, one that

fosters place-based innovation by all members

of its community and distributes the benefits of

knowledge evenly across the territory.

6 CONCLUSION

Our strategy is bound to current cultural and

political values, particularly as defined within the

Province’s current planning strategy:

Mono-functioning business environments will

cease to be developed, mixing existing mono-

functioning sites with complimentary functions.

Development will occur through densification

of existing and well connected urban areas

before considering urban expansion.

Densification will lead to greater congestion,

which will create a demand for alternative

modes of mobility. The strategy considers a

new mobility network.

Existing centres will be connected, through a

logical mobility system which o ers choice of

mode and route.

Encouraging growth in the smaller nodesrelieving congestion from the centre.

In proposing a redefinition of knowledge and

its relation to the city, the Province of Utrecht

is poised to profit economically, socially and

environmentally.



78



79

CIE (2010) [website] Available at: <http://www1.cie.nl/projects/planning/research--development/hergebruik-kantoren.aspx> (accessed 4 January 2011).

Invest Utrecht (2010) [website] Available at: <http://investinutrecht.com/home.html> (accessed 6 November 2010).

Jacobs, J. (1961) . New York: Random House.

Johnson, S. (2010) [video] ‘Where Good Ideas Come From’ Ted Talks 2010

OECD (2010) [pdf] Available at: <http://www.oecd.orgl> (accessed 3 December 2010).

Provincie Utrecht (2009) [pdf] Available at: <www.provincie-utrecht.nl> (accessed 19 October 2010).

Scott, A.J. (2006) Creative Cities: Conceptual Issues and Policy Questions. 28(1).

VROM (2008) [pdf] Available at: <www.vrom.nl/randstad2040> (accessed 19 September 2010).

REFERENCES

Chapter title



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website: http://knowledgeinutrecht.wordpress.com

emu 2011 a place for knowledge final lq

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