Column Adriaan Mout | Desire for change

The Bijlmer exists 50 years. That means looking back half a century, but also looking ahead to the new opportunities for the future of this district. Amsterdam had to expand further at the time and at the same time there was a desire for change. The Bijlmer had to become the district of the future.

Also driven by a desire for change, the board of government advisers presented Panorama Nederland last week. A plea for a new Netherlands in which we anticipate the 21st century, the century of climate and energy transition. The same indestructible optimism with which the post-war reconstruction was tackled is once again justified, according to the Board.

Optimism about the opportunities of a New Netherlands is also expressed in the plans for 'The City of the Future', initiated by the BNA. In it, 10 broad-based teams present their views on 5 Dutch cities, not hindered by institutional frameworks. The plans express optimism and a clear desire for change.

In Luxembourg, a country with a conservative stamp, our office is working in an international team on a fully circular district on the Kirchberg plateau near the capital. Circularity on all fronts should put the country on the map. Luxembourg also wants to change.

As architects, we can take the lead in these changes. We are ideally placed to build bridges that others do not think possible. The innovative power that has been severely curtailed by the crisis is coming back. Last week there were 1,200 international architects in the Beurs van Berlage at the closing dinner of the World Architecture Festival, held in Amsterdam. Dozens of prizes were awarded for plans that showed great optimism in a new future, driven by a desire for change. Let's take this optimism to the new year!

December 2018, Cobouw.nl