TOOLBOX FOR SOUTHWEST THE HAGUE

based on principals of Jane Jacobs

GRADUATION PLAN & REFLECTION

RMIT Graduation studio
Delft University of Technology
J.H.R. Buitenhuis 4032780
STUDENT AND STUDIO

Student René Buitenhuis

4032780
Address Mathenesserweg 131c
3027 HM
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Phone 064 400 4234
Mail renebuitenhuis@hotmail.com
Studio RMIT
Lab Conservation, Modification,
Intervention, Transformation
Code AR3AR111
Mentor ir. L. Spoormans
ir. W. Quist
Project Southwest The Hague
Location Morgenstond, The Hague
Theme Lively public spaces versus
lifeless public space
PREFACE

This graduation plan and reflection is part of

the RMIT graduation studio for the University of
Technology, Delft. On behalf of the graduation
project students are directed to analyze the
postwar southwest neighborhoods of The
Hague, based on a theme of one’s choosing. In
a later stage this research will contribute to an
intervention in the district. The project is executed
under supervision of ir. L. Spoormans and ir. W.
Quist.

Delft, January 2013

Johannes Hendrik René Buitenhuis
TABLE OF CONTENTS

4 -Introduction
5 -Problem Statement
5 -Research
5 -Goal
6 -Method description
7 -Reflection
12 -Bibliography
INTRODUCTION

During the Industrial Revolution many people After the Second World War the Netherlands had Theme
moved to big cities, where industry had been to deal again with a housing shortage. Influenced
established. In most Dutch cities the population by new thinking in the field of urban planning, the My area of interest can be characterized as ‘Lively
doubled between 1875 and 1900. To house industrialization of the building process, a general public spaces versus lifeless public space.’ The
these people new neighborhoods like de Pijp, lack of money, and de Woningwet, a new kind of theme was chosen out of my observations of
de Dapperbuurt in Amsterdam and Spangen in urban planning and a new architecture was born the post-war neighborhoods’ often quiet and
Rotterdam where planned and built after 1875.1 in Holland.2 insufficient public space – there seems to be a
striking lack of vitality in these neighborhoods.
The deep and narrow three-to-four story houses
were usually of poor quality and inhabited by large Comparing postwar planned districts with
families in small, dark, and humid rooms. This way unplanned organic neighborhoods or even the
of building was known as revolutiebouw and can prewar urban expansion areas, I can’t help but
be recognized by its ground floor commercial prefer the well-used Sarphatipark in Amsterdam
space with one door to reach the ground floor and over the unused green strips of Morgenstond
one for the stairwell to the top. The houses were in The Hague. I prefer the lively streets of De
often three windows wide and crowned by a roof Pijp in Amsterdam over the deserted streets of
frame with a white canopy and a lifting beam.1 Pendrecht. I prefer the mixture of program and
building age over the monotonous architecture of
the public housing projects.

These new neighborhoods are often recognizable

by monotonous architecture, buildings which
are surrounded by green lawns, and facilities
which are clustered together. Examples are the
neighborhoods Overvecht in Utrecht, De Bijlmer
in Amsterdam, Pendrecht in Rotterdam and
Morgenstond in The Hague.

1) Schade
2) Cormier

4
PROBLEM STATEMENT RESEARCH GOAL

The realization of prewar expansion neighborhoods Main research question Toolbox

was often without a systematic approach nor was
attention paid to long term issues.3 How does one give shape to a design that The aim of the project (concept) is to create a
contributes to a well-functioning vibrant urban toolbox of design solutions that will lead to the
It is highly remarkable that these prewar expansion street life? overall enhancement of the living conditions of the
areas, such as de Pijp in Amsterdam and neighborhood Morgenstond.
Vogelbuurt in Utrecht, were able to rise above their Additional questions
initial problems and evolve into the most popular Preliminary urban plan
districts of the Netherlands. -What is the philosophy behind the postwar
neighborhoods? By using this toolbox at preliminary urban plan
Unfortunately the outlook is less bright for the -Is it justified to associate postwar neighborhoods scale I create a representative preliminary
postwar neighborhoods, which were designed as with quiet and insufficient public space? plan, which shows how the city could grow
a response to the appalling design of the prewar -With the theme “lively public spaces versus naturally, using ingredients which stimulate the
urban expansion districts. lifeless public space” in mind I want to analyze the neighborhood’s vibrancy.
postwar neighborhood Morgenstond in southwest
These days there are – despite good intentions, The Hague and investigate if and why there is a Intervention building block
careful planning and government controlled lack of a vibrant street life in this borough, and
legislation – many concerns about the qualities of what the consequences of this absence implies. In addition a intervention at building block scale
these districts. They are associated with unsafe -Is it possible to formulate a toolbox/concept is designed within the urban plan. The goal is
streets due to social and economic problems; design strategy, which produces a design with to base architectural, technical and aesthetic
the maintenance and renovation is often too positive effects on the neighborhoods vibrancy? interventions on the toolbox.
expensive; and developers have questions
about the abundance of green space and the
low property values. Nowadays many postwar
neighborhoods are demolished to make place for
new projects as a part of urban renewal.3

3) Blom, Jansen, van der Heide

5
METHOD DESCRIPTON REFLECTION
A A
A A
Exploratory research Analyzing postwar urbanism B
MonotonyC of primary use
A A
A facilities. A
The first goal was to create a first impression of By analyzing post-war urbanism I figured out that B
C
the neighborhood. The used method was a guided a lot of these districts are based on the central
tour in the neighborhood by housing cooperation ideas behind Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City
Steadion. A second tour, guided by the studio principles. As a part of this graduation project I Long building blocks have an
mentor. And a third self-organized tour in order to researched the relation of the lack of liveliness isolating effect.
become familiar with the selected project area. on streets and Howard’s concepts concerning
zoning, decentralization, etc. 1952 1923
$$$ 2012
Literature research 1952 PR
$$ PU
Learning from Jane Jacobs 1952 Buildings build in
$ same 1923
period. Aging $$$ 2012
issues appear
Another used method was a literature research. 1952
simultaneously. $ $$
PR
PU
The literature was selected on basis of the While searching for an answer to my main
Exploratory research, or was chosen on the advice research question I read The Death and Life of
of supervisors. Great American Cities from Jane Jacobs and
Excessive presence of public
discovered an interesting overlap between Jacobs’ space result in a scattered
Within this literature research I investigated theory and my chosen theme. population.
the theory of an opponent of the existing urban
typology of the neighborhood. This resulted in a In the book she wrote in 1961 she criticized
extensive study of the theory of Jane Jacobs. postwar urbanism. She describes the need for
cities to have an extremely complex and intricate
diversity of facilities in order to generate a well-
functioning vibrant urban street life. And she
explains the urban principles which are harmful for
the neighborhoods vitality.4 These principals are
visualized into a diagram.

4) Jacobs

6
 A A
A A
A successful neighborhood needs according to The fundamental element for this kind of public C
B
A A
Jacobs three main characteristics.4 control is, according Jane Jacobs, aA substantial A Mixture of primary use facilities.
B
amount of diverse companies, stores, bars and C
There must be a lot eyes,
focused on the public space.
restaurants along the sidewalks, especially places
These eyes are from the that are open during evening and night. This
natural users of the street, diversity gives the residents and visitors reasons Need for small urban blocks.
residents, visitors, owners of the
businesses and other facilities.
to use the sidewalks of that area at all times. In
Sufficient visual control is only this way the owners of these places become
1923
possible if the buildings are informal security guards since they hate vandalism1952 $$$ 2012
PRIVAT focused on the public streets.
PUBLIC and crime and want their customers feel safe. 1952
$ $$
PRIVAT
1952 1923 NeedPUBLIC
for varying types of
The activity that is generated by people that are $$$ 2012
buildings
1952 PRIVAT and building age.
Need for a reasonably constant shopping or using the sidewalks to get from one $ $$ PUBLIC
use of the sidewalks to make
sure there are more eyes place to another also attracts other people and
focused on the street and to this means more eyes focused on the street.4
make sure the people in the
Need for a high building density.
buildings are also keeping their
eyes on the streets. Nobody likes Jane Jacobs arrived at four principles for healthy
to watch out the window onto an cities by making observations of neighborhoods in
empty street as people prefer to use. She discovered that the most economically
see activity. In other words, they
enjoy being a spectator of the successful areas, as well as those that were the
“ballet of the sidewalks”. safest and most pleasant to be in, had these for
There must be a clear distinction characteristics:
PRIVAT
PUBLIC between public space and
PRIVAT
PUBLIC
private space. Different
spaces must not merge into an
undefined space without a clear Analyzing the urban plan
border.
I analyzed southwest The Hague, and focused
It’s not easy to accomplish Jacobs three main particularly on the planning phase of the district
characteristics, in order to ensure a vibrant street Morgenstond. I did this by reading articles and
life. People can for example not be forced to use documents which mainly had to do with the design
the street when there is no need for them to use phase of the project area. In order to discover a
it.4 relationship between the lack of vibrancy and the
urban plan I focused particularly on the schemes.

4) Jacobs

7
In 1934 the Dutch architect W.M. Dudok was contributed to a certain standardization and Creation of the toolbox/ concept
asked for an expansion plan for The Hague on a rationalization which had an important effect on
proposal from Berlage. In 1949 he developed: the vibrancy of neighborhoods.8 The aim of the project is to create a toolbox
Concept-structuurplan voor Groot ‘s-Gravenhage, A A
of design solutions that will lead to the overall
a master plan for the extension of the city.4 Dudok Analyzing the current situation A
enhancement of A
B the living conditions of the
C
was, similar to several other post-war urbanists neighborhood Morgenstond, mainly through
from that era, worried about the endlessly growing In order to understand the current situation of stimulating the vibrancy of the neighborhood.
city that may grow too large. His processing of the neighborhood I studied literature and future
A
A
AI want to develop the toolbox in such a way
A
this ‘problem’ led him to the idea of the expansion plans of the municipality. And I studied statistics that it can Cserve as Ba guideline for future
plan that worked as “the finishing expansion” for concerning the current residents types. This is urban developments. Inspired by Jacobs’
The Hague.5 done by a sample study, and by interviewing a part 1952
theory, I decided 1923
to incorporate particularly the
of the residents. aforementioned
1952
$$$ 2012
principlesPRIVAT
into my design toolbox/
$$
Within this master plan Dudok designed the concept. $Together with tree PUBLIC
new principles which
neighborhoods Moerwijk en Morgenstond. An important conclusion was the dominant encourage liveliness.
A
After the Second World War Dudok proposed monotony of the population with low income. This A 1952
A
1923 A
$$$ 2012 B
a decentralization concept in order to limit the eventually creates a monotony in services and thus 1952 A
C
A
PRIVAT
$A $$ PUBLIC
A
growth of the city. This decentralization was a a lifeless streetscape.8 C
B

typical modern thought in urban planning taken A A

directly from the ideas of Ebenezer Howard.6 & 7 A
A A
A
B
A C A
B
A A C
Analyzing postwar architecture and detailing A A
B
C 1952 1923
$$$ 2012
1952 PRIVAT
At architectural and detail scale I took a closer $ $$
1952
PUBLIC
1923
$$$ 2012
look at the housing complex between the 1952 PRIVA
$ $$ PUBLIC
Coevordenstraat and Haveltestraat in the western
1952 1923
part of Morgenstond. Again I focused particularly 1952
$$$
1952
2012
PRIVAT 1923
on the schemes. $ $$
1952
$$$
PUBLIC 2012
PRIVAT
1952 1923 $$ PUBLIC
$$$ 2012 $
1952 PRIVAT
After the Second World War the Netherlands $ $$ PUBLIC

had to deal with a housing shortage, influenced

by new thinking in the field of urban planning, the
industrialization of the building process, a general
lack of money, and de Woningwet. This influences
5) van de beek, van der Heijden
6) www.denhaag.nl
7) DSO
8) Blom

8
Relation of toolbox and program Using the toolbox at urban plan level Program

The main objective was to intensify the level of By using this toolbox at preliminary urban plan The next goal was to integrate program into
street vibrancy of the neighborhood. A chance scale I create a representative preliminary the volume. This concerns, in contrast to the
from current situation (black line) towards a plan, which shows how the city should grow surrounding environment, a mixture of functions
stabilized vibrancy level of public space (blue line). naturally, using ingredients which stimulate the from conceptual considerations.
neighborhood’s vibrancy.
VIBRANCY LEVEL OF PUBLIC SPACE

0300 0500 1500 0700 0900 1100 1300 1500 1700 1900 2100 2300

The method to accomplish this is the mixing of

functions and program (diagram below). This mix
of functions is a response to the current functional
monotony.

Block volume Typology

The evolution of the rough main shape (closing There is also chosen for different types of
VIBRANCY LEVEL OF PUBLIC SPACE

the building blocks with new building volume and residents. Different types of residents means:
breaking up long blocks) is directly based on the varying life patterns and thus a varying use of
toolbox. For this steps, various methods have been public space. This connects directly and indirectly
employed including 3d studies, model studies and to my earlier formulated objectives. Different types
sketch studies. of residents means different needs ass well.
0300 0500 1500 0700 0900 1100 1300 1500 1700 1900 2100 2300

breaking up
the building
block

9
The housing typology is based on the types of Public & privat Addition of benches, grass, tiles and pavements
residents: along the commercial plinth make this space more
As previously stated, the four building types are interesting for pedestrians to stay a while and
A, Low income residents inhabit (stay in) the positioned as a closed block. The open corner perhaps use the new commercial functions.
existing unmodified homes. become arranged as bicycle parking / stairwell.
B, Singles or couples, people who do not require Design of the apartment
garden and starters inhabit the corner apartments.
When the two top floor apartments are combined At four corners of the block rise apartments.
they are suitable for medium/high income
residents.
C, Entrepreneurs in need for a business space
at home inhabit the ground bound dwellings. 1 2 3
Spatially these properties offer possibilities for
family expansion.
D, 18 individual gallery apartments are merged 1, Starting point was a volume based on
into 6 ground bound houses. Ground floor is surrounding morphology and street directions.
suited for a business at home. 2, By rotating the apartment volume it seems that
the building looks into the street. This choice is
consistent with the concept (buildings must be
The courtyard will be set up as private gardens focused on public space). Besides this a contrast
and circulation space. The public space around is created between commercial ground floor and
A the block is destined for infrastructure. apartments on the floors above.
3, At one floor the living room is focused at public
A public
B privat
space, at the other floor the balcony is focussed
on public space. This is realized by vertical
B variation of apartment configuration.

B
C
A

10
Design of ground bound dwelling Materialization Structural work: New interior walls, extension
of the constructive walls at the location of the
When I reflect on the design of the dwellings Buildings are wrapped with a glass facade. The balconies. Masonry of end façades and stairwells.
it become clear that the design is based facade is composed of transparent glass and semi
on functional matters rather than on Jacobs transparent glass. The degree of semi-transparent Subcontractor work: Installing woodwork
ingredients. glass depends on the degree of privacy of the Assembly of facade construction. I tried to
space. Blind walls are carried out in brick. Cut- apply relatively logical, and a frequently used
outs are emphasized by means of a different construction method (reynaers CW50 aluminium
material, namely a wood facade. The commercial facade system) in order to keep down the cost of
space at the ground floor of the apartment is construction.
1 2 3 wrapped with concrete slabs.
Finishing: Installations, glazing, sedum-roofing
1, The starting point was once again a volume. system.
2, Housing width is made visible
​​ through
separating walls in sight.
3, Individual home are highlighted by a cutout
balcony.

Design of renovated apartments

Technique
The renovate apartments are comparable treated
as the ground bound dwellings. The technique and method of construction is
inferior to the architectural ambitions. Considering Relationship between methodical line of
the poor condition of the existing building parts approach of the studio and the method
which I want to reuse/renovate it was important chosen by the student in this framework
that the new thermal skin completely encloses the
existing structure. ”RMIT is concerned with the tension between
1 1 2 2
preservation and renewal in architecture and
Main activities can be divided into the following construction. The conservation and transformation
1, The starting point was enveloped by a new steps: of existing architecture is of vital importance given
facade. its social, economical and cultural relevance. For
2, Housing width is made visible
​​ through a cut out Demolition: demolition of non-bearing walls. the contemporary question in architecture the
entrance portal and individual stairwells Cutting of openings in the balconies. awareness of an appropriate balance between the

11
old and the new in developing and creating new succeed here where restaurants, little bars, book A critical remark on my concept is the following:
ideas is a fundamental concern.”9 and antique stores, art studios, and students Jacobs describes that new - vividness enhancing
more often occupy older buildings, giving a projects - within a typical postwar neighborhood
I choose to use a toolbox based on Jane Jacobs neighborhood an attractive and original character. are pointless. In her eyes, the negative effects of
ingredients in order to establish a design that Flourishing diversity in a city means a mixture of postwar ideas are too strong.4
contributes to a vibrant neighborhood. I think the companies with high profit, medium profit, low
translation of Jacobs ingredients perfectly fit into profit and without any profit. The age of buildings Despite this I decided to go on with my (vividness
the methodical line of approach of the studio. in relation with the functionality is relative. In a enhancing project) because new developments,
Her ideas motivated me, to re-use a significant vital neighborhood almost nothing is too old to such as the realization of the new municipality
percentage of the building. I want to make this use. There are always people without a lot of office, as well as the current urban planning
clear in the following paragraph: choice that end up in these places or middle class policy of The Hague government, better fits the
families that are looking for a bargain to renovate. ideology of Jane Jacobs. My expectation is that
A Cities need a variety of old buildings because these developments, together with my design,
A
these are the breeding places of new primary contributes to a neighborhood with a healthier
B diversity.4 balance of vividness.
B
Relationship between of the studio theme new
A maintaining existing municipality
and the chosen subject/case study
B renovation office

To create diversity, cities and neighborhoods Housing corporation Staedion proposed to

need buildings with varying types and varying destroy this six (case study) blocks. I am - after
building ages. Particularly a high percentage of reading The Death and Life of Great American
old buildings according Jacobs. Old renovated Cities - convinced that integrating a part of
buildings in good shape are strong ingredients these building blocks, and her current residents,
against a monotone neighborhood. But more contributes to vibrant neighborhood. 10
important is a large number of buildings of The relationship between the project and
low value to make sure that there is a variety Also, when new construction is desired, I the wider social context
in economic efficiency. If there are only new prefer the addition of new building mass within
buildings in a neighborhood, the companies and the existing urban fabric instead of extending Nowadays The Hague considers the need for
individuals that rent or buy the buildings will have cities by means of suburbs or the expansion of varying types of building and building age and
to be able to bear the costs. Wealthy established ‘groeisteden’ such as Rijswijk. the need for population concentration theory as a
companies and wealthy individuals, retail and food solution of socioeconomic problems – signifying a
chains, banks and supermarkets are able to consideration of Jacobs’ principles.
9) (Coenen) door: Spoormans, Quist
4) Jacobs
10) Staedion lecture

12
BIBLIOGRAPHY ARTICLE

Blom, A. & Jansen, B. & Heide, M. (2004), De Jacobs, J. (1961), The Death and Life of Great Cement 22, (1958), Nieuwe bouwsystemen voor
typologie van de vroeg-naoorlogse woonwijken American Cities, (New York), The Modern Library woningen
Beek, T. Heijden, H. (1987), W.M. Dudok en het Loukopoulou, A. (2012), Building envelope DSO, (1998), Deel 1, Den Haag Zuidwest, object
Haagse stadsbeeld, Oase 16 refurbishment of multi-residential postwar van bewerking
Bosma, K. & C. Wagenaar. (1995), Een buildings, (Delft) Dienst OCW, (2009), Onderzoek en Integrale
geruisloze doorbraak, de geschiedenis van Lyle, E. (2008), On The Lower Frequencies, A Vraagstukken
architectuur en stedebouw tijdens de bezetting en Secret History of the City, (U.S.), Counterpoint Gemeente Den Haag, (2009), Geschiedenis
de wederopbouw van Nederland, Priemus, H. (1971), Niet-traditionele van Bouwlust en Morgenstond, Available from:
(Rotterdam) woningbouwmethoden in Nederland, (Rotterdam), http://www.denhaag.nl/home/bewoners/to/
Damen, H. (2002), de Rotterdamse Samsom Geschiedenis-van-Bouwlust-en-Morgenstond.htm
Kunststichting, (Rotterdam), 010 Uitgevers Schade, C. (1981), Woningbouw voor arbeiders Gemeente Den Haag, Dienst Stedelijke
Graf, O. (1950), De eigenschappen van in het 19e eeuwse Amsterdam Ontwikkeling, (2012), Bevolkingsprognose, Den
korrelbeton, Cement 1950/22 Spoormans, L. & Quist, W. (2012) Haag 2012-2020
Howard, E. (1902), Garden Cities of To-Morrow, Semesterboek ®MIT studio Msc3 Transforming Gemeente Den Haag, Dienst Stedelijke
second edition, Sonnenschein & Co Neigbourhoods – Den Haag Zuidwest, spring Ontwikkeling ,(2003), Concept Structuurvisie
Ibelings, H. (1996), De moderne jaren vijftig en semester 2012/2013, (Delft) Den Haag zuidwest
zestig: de verspreiding van eigentijdse architectuur Stiphout, W. (2005), Maak een Stad, Rotterdam Preserving DC Stables, (2011), Child’s
over Nederland, (Rotterdam) en de Architectuur van J.H. van den Broek, Play in the Alley, Available from: http://
(Rotterdam), 010 Uitgevers preservingdcstables.blogspot.com
Urbanspace Gallery, (2011), Jane Jacobs:
Urban Ideas, Not available anymore

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