The neologism "urbistics” has been introduced by the CREM (Research Centre of Martigny) in Switzerland to designate a city management as a complex system where each action has consequences on the city’s operations.

This includes altogether the networks (infrastructures) and the space and territory development (superstructures), as well as the organisation of the stream (mobility, energy, water, telecommunications, etc.), and the different services linked to the urban collective needs.

This approach is taken into account under different aspects at the time of the design of new urban districts that will integrate the sustainable development concept.

Over the next 15 years, Utrecht must meet the challenge of developing a new district providing working and living areas for 100 000 people.

In the Netherlands, there is a heavy demand for new housing, currently estimated at 800 000 units. In this context, in 1990 the State launched the VINEX plan (4th law on spatial planning) which has 20 urban development zones throughout the country. After extending the region of Leidsche Rijn, located to the west of Utrecht and recognised as a VINEX constructible zone, the State and Utrecht Town Council drew up basic agreements governing:

The Leidsche Rijn region is named for the Leidsche Rijn river (the Rhine), which has its flow channelled in this section; the Amsterdam-Rhine canal separates it from Utrecht. Two motorways cross it north-south and east-west. These geographic factors played a decisive role in drawing up the "Masterplan" for the biggest VINEX project, covering an area of 2 560 ha.

In April 1994, Utrecht town hall commissioned the "Leidsche- Rijn project office" to draw up the "Masterplan". This plan was reorganized during a lively public debate. It was finally passed in June 1995 and started by planning the first construction project. Finally, in December 1997, the first stone was laid in the presence of Mr. Wim Kok, the Dutch Prime Minister at that time.

The Masterplan for development in the zone, does not include any legal or judicial commitments. It must rather be considered as a starting point for the design and execution of the construction project. "Sustainable", "compact" and "identity" were chosen as the most important characteristics:

The Leidsche Rijn project includes the following:

The Municipality expects to know whether the objectives of the programme have been reached during the next two years.

Projectbureau Leidsche Rijn
Hans de Windt, tel. +31 30 286 45 98

//1994

case

Urban Policy > Housing

Housing policy