Gangen

More nature, more city

We are facing a major housing challenge in the Netherlands. If this cannot be met within the city centres, we will have to look further afield and also make use of the peripheral areas. On the initiative of Flux, this research project was launched approximately two years ago and subsequently carried out on behalf of Synchroon.

This project proposes the creation of 15 new landscape parks on the outskirts of various Dutch cities, where urban sprawl and fragmentation are a risk. The landscape parks could play a crucial role in major landscape challenges such as water storage, food production and the preservation of biodiversity. At the same time, they could create new recreational routes between town and country and offer opportunities for medium-density housing on the outskirts of towns. The concept therefore responds both to landscape challenges and to the demand for new housing in the Netherlands. The concept transcends the scale of landowners or municipalities and therefore requires new regional coalitions.

Project details

Location
Nederland
Locatie
Nederland
Periode
2021-heden
Grootte
37384 km2
Status
Lopend
In opdracht van
Synchroon
In samenwerking met
&bogdan, Stadskwadraat, Klankbordgroep: Sylvia Karres, Paul Roncken, Co Verdaas
Informatieve website
https://gangen.nl/

Without a smart strategy, many of the Dutch city outskirts are at risk of becoming cluttered and further congested.

Instead of traditional, low-density, ground-level homes outside the city, Gangen focuses on new forms of housing in mixed, medium-density areas on the outskirts of the city. This strengthens strategic locations on the city’s outskirts, while leaving room for the landscape – not only spatially, but also financially. The proceeds from the homes are reinvested in the landscape. These landscapes, also known as landscape parks, form new recreational outdoor areas, increase biodiversity and provide more space for natural dynamics. They are productive, attractive and biodiverse landscapes for people and nature.

A corridor (Gang) is a space that connects different places. It is a place where people come, go and stay, and a place of movement and growth. Corridors connect cities and landscapes. Corridors consist of healthy, productive landscape parks and surprising residential environments on the outskirts of the city.