Sunday, February 20, 2011

Borneo Sporenburg

By Kang-Hsin Fan

“Urban design projects can provide essential structure for the future city. Many of these structures will manifest themselves physically in the plan of a city” (Waterman, 2010).

This case study project, Borneo Sporenburg, is located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is a mixed-use development located on two industrial peninsulas in the Amsterdam Docks. The Dutch firm, West8, was commissioned to prepare a master plan that delivered a density of 100 dwelling units per hectare in 1993. West8 stated their proposal, which included new residential typologies based in the traditional Dutch canal house, adapting the form for a new urban setting. According to West8’s proposal of Borneo Sporenburg, a public, open-space infrastructure was set out to provide bridges, parks and circulation space to connect the two peninsulas. This network of open space has become an essential component of the design, providing public presence while contrasting with the individuality of the private houses. The plan provides a distinctive design that balances repetition with individuality. Therefore, these add to the residential density and allow a greater range of tenants at different income levels.

For the Borneo Sporenburg project, there is an important view of landscape typologies. Emloying the Urban design can provide essential structure for the future city. The physical structures will manifest in the plan of an urban city.


Figure: Borneo Sporenburg
Source: Basic Landscape Architecture: Urban Design. Singapore: AVA

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