Otherness

Abstract

Historically, cities have played a major role in integrating newcomers into society. And in turn, many cities- including Amsterdam- have been shaped by migration. The conditions in neighborhoods in which many newcomers currently arrive do not offer the same flexibility. The graduation project proposes a strategy for the creation of inclusive living and working environments that can facilitate the integration of newcomers in the long term. The project aim was to develop a systematic to convert an exemplary urban setting under the scenario of a high influx of newcomers as a result of the devastating effects of climate change of newcomers. It explores the role of architecture and the built environment within the home-making process of newcomers. The centrally located semi-industrial area of Landlust is seen as an exemplary urban setting and is intended to explore strategies for densification and urban renewal in order to overcome the current difficulties that cities experience in adapting to the needs of their current and future dwellers. The area becomes a densified area for entrepreneurship and various forms of co-living. Within the transformation, the local businesses are strengthened and possibilities are opened up for new initiatives, varying from small factories, small businesses and places for gathering. Its place identity is preserved by avoiding demolition. This has been made possible by the creation of a secondary raised infrastructure. The plan is not intended to be a static blueprint but offers the boundary conditions for the transformation. The area can develop slowly creating opportunities for local residents and local business owners to get involved within the program of demands. The new topology of open building proposes a mix of working and living. The building is seen as an ongoing dynamic process: it can absorb and adapt in order to reflect changes in user requirements. Its purpose is to act as a supporting system, creating low threshold opportunities for users to get involved within the realization of their dwellings, businesses and the shared spaces. The strategy does not only involve the supporting system but also the supporting strategy by which the buildings can be transformed and managed. Within the transformation, architecture becomes a vehicle for generating social bonds, social bridges, and social links. In doing so it creates opportunities for its users to develop alternative and diverse ways of living together.