Fieldtrips

Fieldlab Zoetermeer: Transformations in the oldest New Town of the Netherlands
New Town Zoetermeer reached its municipal boundaries in the northeast. A further expansion of the building volume and number of homes can only be achieved through inner-city densification. The redevelopment of the old city districts is the biggest challenge. High-rise buildings are partly making way for low-rise buildings.

The Green Village, TU Delft Campus: Showcases of sustainable innovations in the built environment
At The Green Village, knowledge and educational institutions, entrepreneurs, government bodies and civilians can research, experiment, validate and demonstrate their sustainable innovations. This field lab at TU Delft Campus focuses on the urban environment where you can test on neighbourhood-, street- and building level. It is a place where people can live, work and learn, exempt of standard rules and regulations. With access to the innovation ecosystem of TU Delft, science is literally around the corner.

Railway zone Delft: Reconstruction of a new housing area on and around underground railway tracks
The railway viaduct from the 1960s that cut the city in half has been removed and the construction of an underground railway tunnel took place between 2009 and 2015. A new living environment of approximately 24 hectares is being created close to the historic heart of Delft, in an area of approximately 24 hectares. The first above-ground buildings were completed in 2014. The above-ground construction process is still in full swing.

New types of family housing in the city of Delft
During this excursion you will be shown the progress and creativity of family housing in a dynamic new part of town. You will have the opportunity to explore some of these projects, including “The Family.” This innovative housing concept caters specifically to families, with its design inspired by the preferences and desires of children.

Collaborative housing in Delft
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RijswijkBuiten: Sustainable housing area development at the border of Delft (cycle tour)
RijswijkBuiten is a large-scale area development of 3,500 sustainable dwellings located in between the cities of Delft and Rijswijk. Here the municipality of Rijswijk and private developers worked closely together in a public-private partnership construction to realise the high ambitions of the themes energy efficiency, water retention & climate adaptation. During this field trip practitioners show the progress in sustainability measures and urban planning for the last 1,100 dwellings. Be aware this field trip is by bike: basic cycling skills are required.

The Hague South-West: Transformation of a post war housing area
This large post-war part of the city mainly contains social housing (4-storey porch houses). The municipality of The Hague has been renovating this area since the 2000s. Many of the older homes need to be refurbished or replaced and an additional number of about 10,000 homes are planned.

Schieoevers Delft: A new and innovative housing and creative industry district
In the Netherlands you find many industrial sites on attractive locations, close to desirable residential areas. However, these sites are often monofunctional and unattractive for living. Yet, government policies focused on urban development are leading to numerous projects aimed at transforming these industrial areas into appealing residential and workspaces. Placemaking is crucial in this endeavor: How do you give an area a new identity? How do you ensure that people discover this new area?
The Schieoevers is a prime example of this dynamic shift, with plans to create 3,200 homes and 1,250 jobs across 12 hectares of land. At the heart of it all lies the former Dutch Cable Factory, set to become a hub of innovation and collaboration. Picture the iconic factory halls blending seamlessly with modern structures, including the cutting-edge KD Lab for tech startups to flourish. But it doesn’t stop there – smart and sustainable mobility solutions are in the works, ensuring easy access and a car-free environment. And let’s not forget the lush green spaces along the waterfront, creating a picturesque backdrop for both work and play. Join us on an exciting field trip as we explore these remarkable transformations firsthand.

Thinking Beyond the Market: a film about genuinely affordable housing – A film by Brian Doucet
In this full-length documentary film, we will go across Canada to learn about policies, programs and projects that are helping to shift housing away from a speculative commodity, and towards a human right. From new housing that is decoupled from market prices, to rent control and tenant protection, this film explores a range of examples that show us pathways to addressing the housing crisis. Featuring interviews with residents, practitioners, advocates, politicians and academics, this film shows us inspiring examples of what can be possible, and gives us hope that maybe the solutions are already here, hiding in plain sight! The film was written and produced by Dr Brian Doucet, Canada Research Chair at the University of Waterloo. Originally from Canada, Dr Doucet previously taught at Utrecht University and Erasmus University College in the Netherlands. He will lead an interactive Q&A discussion at the end of the film.