Lesson 2 From Problems to Solutions
Bringing New Life to Old Cities
As cities age, neighborhoods can become old and lifeless, which may ____ citizens to move away.
When this happens, a ____ between the local government and citizens is an effective way to revitalize the area.
Let’s take a look at two projects in the Netherlands to ____ out what successful urban revitalization looks like.
Wallisblok: The One-Euro Apartment Project
Rotterdam, the second largest city in the Netherlands, is known for its modern ____ and busy port.
By taking a ten-minute tram ride west from the city center, ____ you can get to a more peaceful environment.
Instead of crowded streets, you will see neighbors chatting in front ____ a modern residential structure and families spending time in its garden.
The structure is a large apartment ____ called Wallisblok.
Not that long ago, this area was very different, ____ nobody thought it could become a place where families would want to live.
Yet that ____ exactly what happened.
For years, the neighborhood was known for its high crime ____
Many apartments in Wallisblok were abandoned and then taken over by people ____ lived in them illegally.
At first,
At first, the local government thought that the best solution was simply to tear the building down and build a new one in ____ place.
However, having ____ limited budget, the government was unable to do so and had to come up with a new plan.
The ____ was to sell the empty apartments for one euro each.
The only condition was that ____ who bought these apartments needed to renovate them.
Although the new residents would have to pay for these ____ the government’s plan soon attracted many applicants.
Apparently, it was not just the idea of ____ apartments that people found attractive.
They were ____ excited by the opportunity to use their creativity to improve the building.
In ____ end, 42 new families moved into Wallisblok.
The ____ bold plan was a success.
____ residents transformed the old, worn-out building into 42 unique apartments with a community garden and rooftop terrace.
The surrounding area soon began to ____ as well.
Today, Wallisblok is one of the most desirable ____ to live in Rotterdam.
De Ceuvel: A Green-Technology Playground
In the early 20th ____ there was an area in the northern part of Amsterdam that was full of shipyards and factories.
Over time, the shipyards closed down, and the work once done at ____ factories was moved abroad.
As a result, the ____ was left abandoned and polluted for years.
Wanting to do ____ to improve the area, the city purchased an abandoned shipyard called De Ceuvel.
However, city officials did not know what ____ do with it.
____ they turned to the public for help by asking for plans that would achieve two primary goals.
First, the plan had to include a method ____ clean up the land and turn it into a sustainable development.
Second, it had ____ suggest a way to transform the site into a creative workspace.
In the end, an architectural company submitted an innovative plan ____ was awarded a ten-year lease on the former shipyard.
The plan was to turn the site into a sustainable office ____
Since it was impossible
Since it was impossible to build foundations on the oily mud of the polluted land, the architects decided to use old, abandoned boats ____
____ were able to purchase these at low prices from the boats’ owners.
The architects created a small community that includes creative workspaces, studios, meeting rooms, cultural spaces, ____ even a café, all by upcycling the boats.
Then, to connect the boats, wooden paths were ____
In addition, special plants that purify polluted soil were planted across the ____
Today, some people come to De Ceuvel to test new sustainable technologies such as bio-filters and ____ reuse systems.
Many others come ____ experience this successful revitalization project in person.
De Ceuvel is now known as one of the most active playgrounds ____ innovative green technology in all of Amsterdam.
At the end of the lease, the project will also leave behind a ____ valuable piece of land for the next people who use it.
These two examples of urban revitalization in the Netherlands required much more than a budget ____ a plan.
Innovative thinking, creativity, community spirit, ____ cooperation were all vital to their success.
These projects are great sources of inspiration for other cities that are looking to bring new life to ____ areas.