Cityplot Buiksloterham

Cityplot arose from the need to reconsider how conventional urban planning strategies could open up to more flexible models of development. Our client, de Alliantie, was keen to develop the site not in a conventional way in large, fixed blocks but as part of a flexible urban planning concept called Cityplot. This concept is a dynamic process that combines self-build projects with social housing, work/home units and social hubs, bringing together individuals, collectives, investors and small-scale developers.

The masterplan retains individuality while engaging residents to shape their own city. As opposed to a traditional urban plan with a fixed end result, Cityplot Buiksloterham will keep evolving. The small scale and mixed-use nature of Cityplots supports ongoing dialogue that is essential for community engagement – dialogue between architecture, functions and participants, and between the city and the economy.

Architecturally, the concept here translates into three compact plots north of Tolhuiskanaal. They are each based on an ideal plot size of 100×100 metres; this generous size not only provides scope to accommodate diverse building typologies but also allows the format of the block to be opened up from the street as well as internally. Public, semi-public, collective, and private spaces alternate on different levels and contribute to the creation of the circular city.

Late 2019, Cityplot Buiksloterham welcomed its first residents. Plot A7 by WE Architects was the first block to be completed. Among the invited (collectives of) self-builders that design their future homes here, we were selected to design a twelve-apartment building for clients Vink Bouw and OntwerpJeWoning on Plot A8. For client de Alliantie, we design Plot B1, the first social housing complex of Cityplot Buiksloterham, as well as apartment block B15 on the same street. The most eastern plot, Plot C, is also named Tolhuiskade and is being developed by Synchroon. Here, alongside the Tolhuiskanaal, we work together with Civic Architects, DELVA Landscape Architecture | Urbanism and XVW Architectuur. For all three plots and their surroundings, the public space and the waterfront are now being developed as well.

The interrelationship between residents and the sustainable systems will contribute to a sustainable and future-proof area.

Take, for example the water system. Water plays a key role in Cityplot Buiksloterham. Tolhuiskanaal runs prominently through the area and its quay will be no longer a strict boundary between water and city, but is instead integrated into the public space. Then, instead of being drained underground, rainwater forms a visible and tangible element to enrich the urban plan – a first in the Netherlands on a large scale. The green courtyards in communal gardens, on ground level and on roofs retain and dispose of rainwater – this helps to avoid overflooding and promote stable climatic conditions. The streetscape accentuates the experience of (rain)water, for instance as it’s seen flowing along roads that slope gradually towards the waterfront or integrated into the sidewalks as landscaping features. Based on new sanitation housing in Cityplot Buiksloterham are being provided with a double sewage system. Separate drainage for black and grey water facilitates re-use of water and resources can be recovered by a brand-new floating installation.

Started off as a testing ground for innovative urban development, Cityplot Buiksloterham will soon present architecture, public space and landscape as one complete integrated system.

See the manifesto (in Dutch) signed by the major stakeholders, which declares this area a ‘living lab’ and supports the ambition for Cityplot Buiksloterham to be a testing ground for innovative urban development.

Explore the publication (in English or Dutch) ‘Circular Cities – designing post-industrial Amsterdam, case Buiksloterham’, by DELVA, Studioninedots and Metabolic.