Janine Kleinjan

Convivium

From solo living to community living
 

Amsterdam is growing. Thousands of newcomers settle every year, partly because of work, education and social contacts. This puts pressure on the housing market: housing prices rise, waiting lists grow and building land is scarce. At
the same time, social cohesion is becoming more complex due to diverse backgrounds; the gap between groups is growing, a sense of community is disappearing and loneliness is increasing.

These challenges are not new. Already in the Middle Ages, Amsterdam was growing rapidly due to trade, shipping and immigration. Within the fortifications, building land was limited. Densification offered a solution by creating extra floors, split houses and ‘hofjes’ (courtyard with almshouses). A strong social cohesion with church, guilds and neighbours as a
safety net made this possible.

This historical approach shows that the housing crisis is both a spatial and social issue. Smart densification andcollective cooperation are essential to create liveable neighbourhoods. This is still relevant today. Amsterdam is focusing on densifying existing neighbourhoods and transforming abandoned property, especially in areas with low building
density. High density neighbourhoods such as the city centre also offer opportunities, because of existing infrastructure and a rich history of urban densification.

Convivium (community living) is investigating how to densify the city centre by topping up building blocks, using an areaspecific approach. The Boerensteeg serves as a case study to determine how many extra floors are possible, while
respecting streetscape, heritage and public space. Inspired by the ‘hofje’, collective facilities connect residents: a community centre and kitchen garden for the neighbourhood, dining area and library for the community, and outdoor living rooms for individual use. The new floors are accessible via stairwells and a gallery, creating a contemporary ‘hofje’
on Amsterdam's rooftops.

Convivium shows that the future of the city is not about building more, but about efficient densification: more people and housing in a smaller area. Encouraging communal living creates compact housing, more community spirit, which makes
the city more liveable.