Living With the Street

Abstract

This paper explores the role of transition zones—the spatial and social thresholds between private dwellings and the public street—in shaping livable, safe, and socially connected urban environments. With Amsterdam as a case study, the research situates itself within the urgent context of urban densification and the construction of large-scale residential blocks. Historically, Dutch streets and stoops embodied spaces of encounter and personalization, but over time mass production, zoning laws, and functionalist housing approaches diminished the quality of these intermediary zones. Building upon the writings of Jane Jacobs, Herman Hertzberger, Jan Gehl, Aldo van Eyck, Christopher Alexander, and others, this paper argues that transition zones are crucial for stimulating social interaction, fostering a sense of ownership, and softening the divide between public and private realms. Through a literature review, case study analysis, and site-specific research on Amsterdam’s Strandeiland, this paper establishes the principles and dimensions that make transition zones successful. It further critiques contemporary large housing blocks where collective circulation spaces often fail to create meaningful social environments. The study concludes by outlining a set of architectural strategies to integrate attractive, functional, and adaptable transition zones into highdensity urban developments. The final part of this graduation project will consist of a research by design process, testing these principles in practice through the design of a new residential block in Amsterdam.