Urban Villages
In cities one may encounter enclaves within the larger urban fabric that feel, and often look like, a village. In some cases the village existed before the city spread out and incorporated it, in others individual developments were created on a small scale with a design and social structures that lead people to refer to them as villages.
Specific circumstances, having to do with a long history of succesive demolition plans strongly opposed by the community and engendering all sorts of political turmoil, required a sensitive but rational approach to the planning process. These projects are examples of true public participation in the planning process, with tenants at the table, participating in drafting plans. The results of this resident input, however, lead to very different--and perhaps unexpected—outcomes.
VOGELDORP
EN DISTELDORP
The two villages (dorp means village in Dutch), consisting of
550 single family homes, were built in 1918-1919 as sattelite communities
to relieve overcrowded conditions in the older central city. Although
intended as temporary housing, the two villages remained occupied by low
income tenants for decades. more
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VISSERSHOP
In Zaanstad, just northwest of Amsterdam, is an enclave of 244 houses
built in 1920 on the banks of the Zaan, commonly referred to as Vissershop.
By the 1990’s the future of Vissershop was at risk because the wood
foundations of the houses, rotting for decades, presented unsafe conditions.
more >>
TUINDORP
FRANKENDAAL
Tuindorp Frankendaal was built in 1952, and was one of the first postwar
housing projects in Amsterdam. It is also referred to as Jeruzalem
because of its low, boxy, white buildings that—to some—resemble
the architecture of the Israeli capital. The owners of the 672 units of
housing, three of the largest nonprofit housing corporations in Amsterdam,
were concerned that the mostly tiny inadequately insulated apartments
would not be viable indefinitely. more
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