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