The Dutch government plans to build one million houses by the year 2010. What makes the Dutch situation unique is the employment - and the influence - of leading architects and planners. Arguably, at no other time this century have architects been in a similar situation where they could have such an impact on the future of suburbia. The symposium addresses this subject through a number of themes including questions of density (notably how architects and planners are responding to the new VINEX policy), social individualization and its impact on housing types, and the consequences of the privatization of housing on the design of housing and neighbourhoods.
Paul Finch introduces the afternoon session.
Kees Christiaanse, founder of the architecture and urban design firm KCAP, discusses the establishing of a system of rules for architects rather than a masterplan at Leidsche Rijn.
Michiel Riedijk, partner in Neutelings Riedijk architects, presents a recently completed housing project in Ghent and projects in three VINEX locations in Holland.