A free space contextualisation tool

Planning the unplanned nature of free space

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Abstract

Free spaces are a characteristic of the Amsterdam identity. However, due to the scarcity of space and the pressure of the commercial market, these creative, free-spirited, subcultural places are pushed to the abyss. Amsterdam seems to be losing its distinctive and diverse character, making room for a monoculture. The municipality of Amsterdam wants to secure these places and create room for new spaces. But how do you ensure that the municipality actually protects these subcultures? Due to pressure on urban land, often available places are temporary, social projects of this kind are often used as merely urbanism, after which
the surrounding area is gentrified. It does not take long before the initiative is pushed aside by commercial parties. It is therefore necessary to find permanent places for these initiatives. Embedding free space in the regular area planning will secure this permanency to some extent and will liberate space for this purpose.