21st Century (2000–present)

Amsterdam Structuurvisie 2040

2011 · Netherlands · Western & Central Europe · Regional & polycentric planning · Planned by Gemeente Amsterdam
The main structure-plan map of Structuurvisie Amsterdam 2040 ('de grote bewegingen'): expanding central area, IJ waterfront, southern flank and the green scheggen of the metropolitan landscape.
The main structure-plan map of Structuurvisie Amsterdam 2040 ('de grote bewegingen'): expanding central area, IJ waterfront, southern flank and the green scheggen of the metropolitan landscape. · © Gemeente Amsterdam — used with credit · Gemeente Amsterdam, Structuurvisie Amsterdam 2040: Economisch sterk en duurzaam (2011)

Core idea

Polycentric growth, intensification corridors

Why it matters

Long-horizon city development strategy

Description

The Structuurvisie Amsterdam 2040, adopted by the Gemeente Amsterdam in 2011, is a long-horizon structural vision for the city's spatial development. It steers growth through densification within the existing city, extension of the centre's qualities outward across the ring road, intensification corridors and waterfront development along the IJ, and a polycentric conception of the metropolitan region, while protecting green wedges and investing in public transport.

Significance

The vision marks the consolidation of Dutch strategic planning at municipal level after the retreat of strong national frameworks, and its 'roll-out of the centre' idea shaped a decade of intensive infill development. It is frequently cited in European debates on compact-city strategy, and retrospectively in discussions of the housing pressure and gentrification that accompanied Amsterdam's densification.

What shaped it

Sources

Open it on the interactive timeline →
hub.toekom.st — History of Urbanism · an interactive timeline of 850 planned cities across 6,000 years.