TUINEN VAN WEST

A Regenerative Development Plan

to reach beyond sustainability
Project Team Instructors Publication date:

Alice Artus Marlies Brinkhuijsen 05/07/2018

alice.artus@wur.nl Clemens Driessen
960317019090 Marleen Buizer

Louise Capelle-Burny
Commissioners Image Sources:
louise-marie.capelle-burny@wur.nl
880130154150
Minne Belger Project team, unless indicated
Claudia Rodriguez Ortiz
Duco Duin
duco.duin@wur.nl
920207202070

FeiFei Huang
feifei.huang@wur.nl
960717370080

Roel Visser
roel.visser@wur.nl
940118894130

Alex van Zyl

alexandra.vanzyl@wur.nl
911218999080

2
Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 1

Introduction 2
Problem statement 2
Project Scope 3
Theoretical framework 4
Ambitions 5
Vision 5
Approach 5
Goals and objectives 6
Reflection 7

RESEARCH 9 - 24
Mapping study 10
Research questions 12
Results 13
Conclusions: design-oriented 22
Action research 23
Place-making in action 23
Action research event 24

DESIGN 25 - 37
Design 26
Connections to Amsterdam 27
Tuinen van West 29
Drakenland 33

Discussion 39
References 40

Appendices 41
Appendix A 41
Appendix B 41
Appendix C 42
Appendix D 43
Appendix E 44
Appendix F 45
Acknowledgements

Before you lies the result of eight weeks of hard work in

the course of the MSc Atelier at Wageningen University.
The six of us, group Phoenix, would like to thank everyone
involved in the process. First of all a big thanks to Minne,
Claudia, Richard, Jason and Jonathan from Terragon,
without whom this amazing project would not have
existed. We thank you for your enthusiastic and welcoming
attitude towards us and the positive energy throughout
the process. Arnold van der Valk and Pieter Boekschooten,
we thank you for your time and valuable input during our
meeting and cycling tour through the Tuinen van West.
Menno Houtstra, thank you for taking the time to give
us an inspiring tour of the KasKantine and Peter Joustra,
thank you for your time at SADC and the information
you shared with us on the planning of the business park.
We also thank all the people we interviewed on site and
everyone that visited our presentation during the Letter
of Intent signing event at Terragon. A special thanks to
everyone that participated in the Action Research Event
and contributed to improving our final designs. And, last
but not least, we thank our teachers Marleen, Marlies and
Clemens for positively helping us in the process, always
being understanding of our struggles and being open
and having time for us when we needed it. We hope you
will enjoy reading this document and hopefully you will
become as inspired about regenerative development as
we have become.

Kind regards,
Alex, Alice, Duco, FeiFei, Louise and Roel

1
INTRODUCTION
Tuinen van West is a new recreation and nature area
in the New-West Neighbourhood in Amsterdam. It
is part of a larger green network within Amsterdam
Problem Statement
that originated from a masterplan from 1935. It
Tuinen van West is an area that faces a large
designated ‘fingers’ of green space within the city
development. It has sparked interest from multiple
limits to provide nature to its citizens. Until recently,
stakeholders who all have their own goals and
the entrepreneurs, farmers and open green spaces
visions. The Lutkemeerpolder will endure the
were relatively autonomous and not in contact with
largest development within the area in the coming
one another. Fifteen years ago, the process to create a
years. One of these developments, which will have
unified Tuinen van West began. The City of Amsterdam
a big impact on the area, is the construction of the
officially designated it as a recreational area and then
Business Park Amsterdam Osdorp (BPAO), which
started to implement initiatives that are still evolving
will cover 42 hectares (SADC, 2018). Also, the city
today (“Tuinen van West,” 2018).
of Amsterdam is planning the development of the
Drakenland site, for which a tender is sent out. In
The area is 400 ha, the largest green and land area under-
addition to these developments, the population
development in the metropolitan Amsterdam postal
of Amsterdam is growing, which puts pressure on
code. It consists of four polders created throughout
housing in Amsterdam West, and therefore the
the last 500 years: the Osdorperbovenpolder,
Tuinen van West as well, since this is one of the
Osdorperbinnenpolder Noord, Osdorperbinnenpolder
few large open areas left. An important challenge
Zuid, and the Lutkemeerpolder (“Wat is Tuinen van
is to integrate the development of BPAO while
West,” n.d.). Although each polder possesses unique
connecting recreational spaces, agricultural
characteristics, such as programming, ecological values,
initiatives, and providing and strengthening
and cultural history, it is unified by a social structure of
ecological services in the area.
key parties that want to see Tuinen van West evolve into
a regenerative development (term explained in section
Social, environmental, political and economic
1.3) where all activities on site are conducted according
pressures make change complex and difficult. In
to parameters outlined as part of this unifying goal.
addition, the dynamics, actors, cultural values,
Ideas for the area are still in their infancy and the site
and threats make developing this area a great
is still relatively fragmented, but there is great potential
challenge, but also an exciting opportunity to
to turn Tuinen van West into an innovative example of
create a design proposal.
regenerative development that is meaningful for those
that live and work there.
Historically, parts of the site have been used as
a waste dump for the city of Amsterdam. One
of our primary objectives is to remediate the
contamination. By implementing regenerative
design, the idea is that the area, and especially the
water in its closed system, will be cleaned and at
the same time, crops can be grown. Each aspect of
the process of regenerative agriculture contributes
both to production as well as improving soil and
water quality. Whilst the idea is solid, the difficult
task is the actual implementation. For this project
we will devise a plan that fits into the current
physical, spatial and socio-economic landscape of
the Tuinen van West.

2
 Project Scope
Our assignment is to co-create a tender-winning design for
a parcel of land, coined as ‘Drakenland’, in Tuinen van West
together with our commissioners, Minne Belger and his wife
Claudia Rodriguez Ortiz (owners of Terragon Foundation).
Along with a coalition of entrepreneurs, public and private
organisations, supported by Staatsbosbeheer and the
Schipol Airport Development Company (SADC), a vision
for the regenerative development of the Lutkemeerpolder
within the Tuinen van West provides us with a base for co-
creating the tender document. We intend to enhance the
existing qualities of the area, remediate the soil, de-pollute
the water, as well as protect Tuinen van West from urban
Figure 1: Design site, Drakenland. sprawl. We will produce a design that combines these
Source: google.com/maps
ambitions into a coherent and viable plan for the area. We
will assess the existing social structures and provide means
to strengthen these structures. Through analysis, we find
the physical structures that need to be improved to create
a stronger coherence between the different polders
within the area. We will tackle the technical issues for
depolluting the soil and water. In addition to the technical
resolvements, the design will provide the Tuinen van West
area with educational meeting place on the Drakenland
site.

Figure 2: The four polders of Tuinen van West

Source: https://www.parool.nl/amsterdam/provincie-kort-op-tuinen-van-west~a1835764/

Figure 3: Tuinen van West aerial view.

Source: facebook.com

3
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
“We have the opportunity to decide whether
we will simply do good design or we will do
good with design.” (Scalin and Taute, 2012)
This section introduces the key terms we use to guide our
research so that it fits the scope discussed in the section
above. This framework describes three key elements:
regenerative development, transdisciplinary research, and
design activism and explains how they relate to our project.
Regenerative
Development
Transdisciplinary
Action Research
Design Activism
Regenerative development goes beyond the overly-
sought concept of sustainable development. Essentially, it
is at the opposite end of the spectrum in comparison to
degenerative systems, which are exemplified by industrial
agriculture, in which the earth and its resource potential is
dominated in order to profit from the growth of feed, food
and fibre. Regenerative development holds ecologically
designed landscapes in the highest regard. The intention
is to work in partnership with nature, by promoting carbon
sequestration (capturing and absorbing carbon dioxide),
managing water retention (to anticipate droughts and
floods), growing food and fibre, and by sustaining wildlife.
Regenerative developments are managed by caring
individuals, who educate a growing community and are
entirely transparent about their process and methods for
success (Regenesis Group, 2016). For Tuinen van West,
4
Figure 4: (left) Regenerative development zone
regenerative development could offer a way of not only
improving the current conditions of the area, but also for
generations to come. Regenerative development is a model
that is well-suited to Tuinen van West given the area’s
unique agricultural nature, its close proximity to Amsterdam
(a progressive and sustainability-oriented city), the concept
(Lekker de Boer Op) for the area produced in 2011, and the
collective ambitions of the stakeholders. It is also a means to
unite against encroaching urban development by proposing
an alternative model that has both local and global appeal.
Landscapes are by nature multifunctional, and this justifies
to approach them with a cross-disciplinary manner (Stokols,
2011). A step further: adopting a transdisciplinary approach,
would mean to consider, according to Stokols (2011): “the
perspective of multiple fields and facilitate the translation
of research findings into practical guidelines for effective
landscape design and management” p.1. Such approach
seems highly relevant to us, we will endeavour to apply it.
Our team is multidisciplinary in itself. As we will work
together, our project will combine the knowledge of
our different fields of expertise and therefore will be
interdisciplinary. However, it is our ambition to bring our
collaboration further than the meeting of our skills; we
wish to experience the site, get in tune with the area and
have it guide our design. In doing so, we aim to work in a
transdisciplinary manner. We collectively want to produce a
design which reaches beyond the expertise of each member
and creates new knowledge.
We as designers positioned ourselves for a positive change
and therefore can be associated with design activism. We
fully support the statement above by Scalin and Taute and
with regenerative development we believe we will do good
in foreseeing a better future.
AMBITIONS
Regenerative agriculture is not only an ambition for
revolutionizing farming practices. It also describes a broader
societal vision to improve the well-being of the consumer,
local community, and the broader context within which it
is located. Tuinen van West is a large site with a number of
programs, stakeholders, and development plans.

It is our vision , as a team of

landscape architects and planners, to use
a transdisciplinary approach (explained
by Boyd et al., 2015) by collaborating with
key stakeholders and community members
to investigate the potential possibilities
and develop a unified framework for
key parcels of land within Tuinen van
West through the implementation of a
regenerative systems approach.

Approach
We imagine this investigation and collaborative approach
to culminate in both a report and a schematic design
proposal that considers the multiple scales of activity
within Tuinen van West. At a broader scale and only
detailed schematically, we consider Tuinen van West’s
relationship to Amsterdam and the key connective
elements across the whole site. We then intend to locate
and diagram possibilities for regenerative agriculture
and associated development in key places within the
Lutkemeerpolder. Our primary focus, however, will be the
parcel of land coined as ‘Drakenland’. It will be the heart
of the regenerative agriculture development and function
as both the social and technical core of innovation and
experimentation within the regenerative development
network. We will investigate and elaborate on the design
of Drakenland and its role within the system as a whole.
We intend for our role in the investigation and design
process to evolve as we progress through the project.
Transdisciplinarity will be important throughout: to address
the complexity of this site, to empower the community, to
strengthen the proposal, and to facilitate mutual learning
so that the ambitions for Tuinen van West can continue
to evolve after we have finished the project. However,
we imagine that the level and form of collaboration will
vary depending on the phase of the project. At first,
stakeholders and community members will be sources of
information and as we gain familiarity with the project,
our role will internalize as we ideate on challenges and
possibilities together with the community.
Our vision indirectly encapsulates the course objective of
place-making in action, because the relationship we and
the community have with the project, site, and what we
want to contribute will evolve as we research and work
together. The final report for this course, the tender
document, as well as the action research event will involve
many people and give them a voice. The Tuinen van
West community will have the foundation from which to
facilitate the creation of a sense of place and continue to
realize their common vision.

5
Goals & Objectives

1
Transform Drakenland into a meeting place that inspires cohesion
within the regenerative developments of Tuinen van West and
showcases it to a broader audience.

Elaborate on a design for Drakenland that will serve as a social and

technical core (meeting place) and landmark for the regenerative
developments of Tuinen van West.

To propose programming (such as education and transient events)

where visitors can become involved in regenerative agriculture.

2 Create a socially and economically viable regenerative systems based

development plan, for key parcels of land within Tuinen van West.

Develop a schematic strategy to address water, waste, energy,

community and shelter within a unified blue-green structure concept
according to a regenerative systems approach.

Propose schematic design principles for the physical elements within

the regenerative agriculture framework to create spatial coherence and
connectivity for the activities of relevant entrepreneurs.

3
Create a shared sense of place for Tuinen van West within
Amsterdam by utilizing a transdisciplinary approach in order to
strengthen and extend the life our project.

Facilitate communication and common goal setting of entrepreneurs by

involving them in participatory action-research throughout the design
process.

To make our design and planning, to a certain extent, resilient. So that

as the needs and desires of the users evolves the place can adapt and
get along these evolution.

Connect Tuinen van West to Amsterdam by investigating key social and

economic connections as well as transportation options.

Create a common language within wayfinding elements.

6
Reflection

“The uniqueness of a place, or a locality... is constructed

out of particular interactions and mutual articulations
of social relations, social processes, experiences and
understandings in a situation of co-presence...”
(Doreen Massey, 1993, p. 66)

The concept of regenerative development (objective 2)
originated from the aspirations of Terragon Off-Grid to unite
the stakeholders of the Lutkemeerpolder and a portion
of the Osdorper Bovenpolder towards a common vision.
Prior to our involvement, the interested stakeholders had
already been identified and we have thus produced a map
of the borders of this regenerative zone. As designers that
helps to move the concept of regenerative development
forward, we realize that we are not neutral externals. We
have positioned ourselves as supporters of a vision that
can have great implications for Tuinen van West and the
surrounding neighbourhoods.
Our first objective at the beginning of this project was
to create ‘a sense of place’ for Tuinen van West within
Amsterdam. We realize now that ‘sense of place’ is much
more than the conventional understanding of place, which
includes physical traits, history, and stable conditions, with
fixed borders. Rather, we relate much more to Doreen
Massey’s alternative understanding of place interpreted
less as bounded spaces, and more as articulated moments
in networks of social relations and understandings (Doreen
Massey, 1993, p. 66).
As stated in our vision, we will apply a transdisciplinary
approach to reach common goals and objectives.
This includes regenerative development and design,
among others. While this may appear as an overlap,
considering they are both holistic processes, the concept
of ‘transdisciplinarity’ may be interpreted differently
depending on the context and scale of the application.

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8
 RESEARCH
Figure 5: (above) Collaborative mapping exercise
9
MAPPING STUDY

Figure 6: Context map with transportation

The analysis section is limited to our investigation of site

conditions. We will elaborate further on social, economic,
and environmental variables when we answer our research
questions. Also note that there has been a large amount of
research conducted on Tuinen van West for the purposes of
developing the recreational area as a whole. These include
‘Lekker de Boer Op’ and the ‘Programma van Eisen’ for
Tuinen van West, (Gemeenteraad van Amsterdam, 2008;
Grontmij, 2011; ). For more detailed information about
the demographics of the area, the overall vision, and the
landscape character, please see these documents.

Figure 7: Soil pollution

10
Figure 8: Bridges into Tuinen van West Figure 9: Vehicle access and parking Figure 10: Entrances

Figure 12: Soil composition Figure 13: Agriculture, forest and nature Figure 14: Land-uses

Figure 15: Pedestrian routes, cycling routes, Figure 11: Noise pollution Figure 16: Water system
and distance
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RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What are the challenges for regenerative development in Tuinen van West?

What creates social and spatial connectivity and fragmentation on site?

What does regenerative development mean for food, water quality, shelter, energy, waste treatment
and community in Tuinen van West?

How do stakeholders perceive the vision of regenerative development for the Lutkemeerpolder?

What is needed to make Drakenland the core of the regenerative

development plan for Tuinen van West integrated with the City of
Amsterdam?

To what extent do current initiatives at different scales within Tuinen van West contribute to the
ambition of regenerative development?

What does socio-economic viability mean for Drakenland in the context of Tuinen van West, now
and in the future?

12
RESULTS
Challenges for regenerative development in Tuinen van West
“What creates social and spatial connectivity
and fragmentation on site?”
SOCIAL FRAGMENTATION
One of the first things heard when talking to people about
the Tuinen van West is the ongoing tension between
the ‘SADC’ and ‘de Boterbloem’. The tension originates
from an ongoing dispute about the future appropriation
of the SADC-owned land in the Lutkemeerpolder. From
discussions we had with a professor in Land use planning,
Arnold van der Valk, we gained a further insight in the
issue. He elaborated on the history of the conflict. Around
2005 the father of the family that owns the farm sold the
16 acres of land surrounding the farm to SADC. Due to the
slow development of Business area Amsterdam Osdorp 1
caused by the financial crisis, development of the second
business area was postponed. The SADC granted the use
of their land to the biological farm ‘de Boterbloem’.
Since the father has retired, his children have cultivated
the land for over 10 years now. The issue that comes
into play now is that the SADC wants to develop the land
within the coming year. The first business plot is expected
to be developed in the spring of 2018. The people from
‘de Boterbloem’ do not want to leave the premises. The
dispute was settled by two court orders, the first decision
was that ‘de Boterbloem’ had to leave the area, as they
appealed to this judgement the second verdict by court
was the same. By generating and assembling local support
by means of signatures ‘de Boterbloem’ is trying to prove
that the farm is an essential part of Tuinen van West.
The developers from SADC have tried to find a way to
combine the development of the business park and the
farming activities. From speaking to Peter Joustra, primary
developer of the SADC we found out that ‘de Boterbloem’
is not really willing to come to an agreement about
incorporating the activities of ‘de Boterbloem’ into the
development of the business area.
Another possible source of social fragmentation could
be the fact that there is no neutral meeting ground for
the entrepreneurs and interested to meet. The to-be-
developed living lab on the Drakenland site can provide
this space to help the regenerative development forward
and strengthen the social structure of the area.
SOCIAL COHESION
Social cohesion is certainly present in the Tuinen van West
within different levels and scales. For the whole Tuinen
van West area an entrepreneurial association which works
together frequently on organisation of events. However,
there is no neutral ground or simply a privileged meeting
place for them to join together. The social cohesion could
be reinforced by collective action.
PHYSICAL FRAGMENTATION
Within the Tuinen van West are several physical
fragmentation causes. In general the fact that there are four
different polders within the Tuinen van West, separated
by water structures, which have been constructed and
programmed in different periods in time, are physically
fragmenting factors. The most obvious and experienced
one is the Osdorperweg which cuts the area in two. The
car road is used by many people that do not comply with
the speed norms. The fact that a large part of the road
has no separate cycling lane adds to the feeling that the
cars pass by fast. The road also fragments the cycling paths
which makes up for the fact that there are disconnected
cycling paths. In addition, the A5 freeway cuts off the
north west corner of the site.
PHYSICAL COHESION
The area of Tuinen van West is on the western side closed
off by the Ringvaart, the eastern edge is also closed off by a
waterbody. On the north side the Haarlemmerweg (N200)
closes of the site. The similarity between these elements
enclosing the site are that little crossing possibilities. The
fact that this is the one last agricultural area within the
postal code of Amsterdam also binds the four polders
together.
13
What does regenerative development mean is (heavily) contaminated. This means that it proves too
for food, water quality, shelter, energy, high of a risk for human health to use the soil for functions
waste treatment and community in Tuinen like ‘living with a garden / inner-city living’, ‘places where
children play’, ‘agriculture’ and ‘community gardening’.
van West?
Before using this soil for any of these functions, it needs
to be further tested to Local Maximum Values (LMW) for
Together with our commissioners, in order to design a
the type of soil- function proposed at the specific location
future regenerative development for Tuinen van West,
(“Bodemkwaliteit”, 2018). The testing results can be found
we first established a framework. We decided to structure
in Appendix B.
our designs around six elements that we have identified as
being key for our design. Those elements are water, food,
Since we were not in a position to conduct a soil analysis
shelter, energy, waste and community. With this research
ourselves to more precisely determine the nature of this
question we aim to find ways to address the challenges
potential pollution we based ourselves on a case study
each element generates and we research for the best way
(Bahri, A., & Houmane, B. 1987). This study has been
to concretely implement solutions within Drakenland and
conducted in comparable conditions: a sandy soil were
more widely, Tuinen van West.
sludge water has been discharged for some years. This
Water helps us to get a clearer idea of what kind of pollution
could have been generated on the Drakenland site and its
MAIN FEATURE IN A POLDER LANDSCAPE
surroundings. According to this study the pollution most
Water is, first of all, a key element in the Tuinen van West
likely consists of an important variation in the chemical
since it is a very low-lying area. A large part of the Tuinen
composition of the soil:
van West consists of either reclaimed land or peat colonies.
- Augmentation of salts and fertilizer elements (N, P, K…)
Most of the area is more than 4 meters below sea level
- Traces of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn…)
and is kept dry through the continuous pumping of water
to the Ringvaart. As can be seen in the water analysis map
CLEANSING STRATEGIES
(Figure 16), water is an essential element in the Tuinen
From this assumption we reviewed the different existing
van West, since it is needed to, on the one hand, keep the
ways to decontaminate a soil (Lallemand-Barrès, 1993)
parcels dry so the land can be used, and on the other hand
to see if one could fit our site and project. The most
to keep the groundwater level steady so that agriculture
interesting methods in terms of sustainability and costs
can be practiced.
seem to be phytoremediation and soil flushing.

WATER TO DECONTAMINATE AND THEREBY REGENERATE

First, we looked into phytoremediation. This method uses
The whole concept of regenerative development is aimed
plants which are able to extract contaminants from the soil
at generating ecological health. It is sometimes referred to
which are close to their roots. Then, the plants are able
as a way of development which “heals” the earth (Haggard
to concentrate the contaminants within their leaves or
et al, 2006). In the current situation, the groundwater
other organs. It is a long process, from several decades to
and soil are (believed to be) contaminated inDrakenland
centuries, and highly specific: in most cases, one species of
and its surrounding areas. Historically this place has been
plants is able to cope with only a certain kind of pollutant
used as a waste dump. A significant amount of sludge
(one molecule) (Clausen, 2017). In our current position,
water from the city of Amsterdam and its canals has been
we have not clearly identified a single type of pollution
deposited here, after which layers of sand and soil were
(one specific polluting molecule) but various ones. We
deposited on top (Boekschooten, 2018). In this context,
also have not identified a particular depth of the pollution
an important first step towards regenerative development
(where the roots of the plant would need to reach). So
consist of decontaminating the groundwater and the soil
phytoremediation alone is, in itself, not a solution that is
which has concentrated years of pollution in its porosity.
satisfying enough. Therefore, we propose to combine it
According to the maps made available by the municipality
with another, faster and unspecific method. This is where
of Amsterdam the site itself, and a part of the surrounding
soil flushing comes in. Decontamination with this method
areas, are polluted and classified as category 3. This
ranges from a few weeks to several months (Lallemand-
indication means that the soil here complies with the
Barrès, 1993).
quality-norm for industry. Since the 95-Percentile value
in all layers of zone 3 exceeds the intervention value for
Traditionally, soil flushing consists of applying water
a number of pollutants, there is a possibility that the soil
to the soil to raise the water table and make the water
14
flow actively, thereby washing away the pollutants. The
water is then pumped and treated, often chemically.
However, we designed a more regenerative version of soil
flushing especially for our site, and we combined it with
phytoremediation. We designed a system that relies on
a set of small canals dividing the parcels up quite equally
and allowing an optimised flushing. After spraying water,
the excess of nutrients and the contaminants end up in
the small canals to then flow into the main canal, a bigger
canal that links all the smaller ones, where floating islands
planted with phytoremediation aquatic flora absorb the
nutrients and effectively clean the water (see Figure 17
and Figure 18). Floating islands have been the subject
of numerous scientific research papers and proven to be
effective tools for removal of excess nutrients (Stewart et
al. 2008). They also have been proven efficient for removal
of Cu, Zn and other fine dissolved particles (Ladislas et al.,
2015). Phytoremediation with the contaminants in the
water phase and dealt with by aquatic plants is actually
more efficient than phytoremediation with terrestrial
plants (Stewart et al. 2008).
Figure 18: (1) Plan view of soil flushing and phytoremediation.
(2) Evolution towards agriculture system once cleaned.
We have briefly explained our reasoning behind the
design of our decontamination strategy. We named it This would be our solution to cope with the excess of
“Phytoflush”, derived from ‘phyto-remediation’ and ‘soil nutrients washed away in the water. Cautions have to be
flushing’. For more details about how phytoflush functions taken and the right balance has to be found whereby the
you can refer to the following schemes. soil is not impoverished, but that is where the experimental
character of Drakenland comes in handy. Also, each parcel
on which phytoflush is implemented will first have to be
made watertight to avoid dispersal of any contaminants
to the water system of the polder. Furthermore, the
phytoflush design also allows great opportunities for food
production, detailed in the food section.

WATER IN THE LUTKEMEERPOLDER

At the Lutkemeerpolder scale, water is a key asset and offers
opportunities for food production such as aquaculture
which are detailed in the food section. Water could also
provide the possibility of different types of recreation,
such as kayaking or swimming.

Figure 17: Soil flushing combined with phytoremediation

15
Food
DRAKENLAND
Food production is another key element for our
regenerative plan proposal. On Drakenland itself, being the
epicentre of the development, we propose to experiment
with the production of a variety of wet crops on the
“phytoflushed”parcels, once they are depolluted. The fact
that these parcels are watertight allows for adjustment to
their water tables individually and provides the needed
conditions for wet agriculture. This makes it possible to
grow a great variety of (wet) crops on Drakenland. One
can even think of experimenting with the cultivation of
more exotic and unique crops like wild rice (Zizania) or
cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) (Jukema, 2007), as
was also suggested during the Action Research Event. Since
Drakenland is a place where possibilities of regenerative
development are showcased, the experimental character
is an important aspect.
Also, we propose to combine animal breeding with growing
orchards. This type of smart association is, for example,
implemented at Fruittuin van West already, where chickens
are free to roam the orchard. The reason for this is because
there is a symbiotic complementary relationship between
the poultry and trees. Through research executed by a
student from Wageningen University, Fruittuin van West
has introduced specific new aspects to keeping chickens in
an orchard, such as movable cages, a less protein-rich diet
and the chicks growing up naturally with their mother. All of
these implementations were observed and the conclusion
of the research is that they all have a positive influence on
not only the chickens themselves, but also on the quality
of the product. Furthermore, the orchard undergrowth
is kept decent for insect habitat and the excrements of
the chickens have a fertilizing function (Zandbergen,
2017). We will take advantage of the construction of the
businesspark and use the high quality SKAL-certified soil
that will be excavated, to create some pollution-free,
organic quality parcels on the Drakenland site in order to
make this combination possible.
Besides, we also consider aquaponics, this system relies
on fish excrements to provide the plants with the needed
nutrients for their growth. All the while, the plants
themselves filter and oxygenate the water it allowing
the fish to thrive (see Figure 19). The plants (crops), can
then be harvested and consumed. We can make use of
aquaponic systems at different scales in our design: inside
the building or outside directly in the canals.
16
Figure 19: Aquaponics system
LUTKEMEERPOLDER
In the context of regenerative development, the traditional
agriculture that is practiced in this polder landscape can
be questioned as it relies on constant effort to pump the
water out. Therefore, we propose to evolve from this type
of agriculture and move towards a type of agriculture
that is more adapted to the site’s specifics: wet crop
cultivation. The watertight parcels on Drakenland can be
used for experimenting with wet agriculture and used to
investigate whether this is possible to implement on larger
scale as well.
Furthermore, we propose to plant fruit trees wherever
trees need to be planted in the business park, as well as
in parts of the Staatsbosbeheer maintained area along
the Ringvaart, since they are a low maintenance food
provisioning source that not only adds aesthetic, but also
recreational value. This fits into plans to create a KasKantine
type of site in the southern part of the Lutkemeerpolder
as well. Lastly, the aquaculture idea we suggested for
Drakenland could also be implemented in water bodies in
the business park, adding to the recreational value as well.
Shelter
DRAKENLAND
Shelter is a basic human need basic need and is usually
understood as being a home. But what could it mean for
Drakenland? We can still think of a form of hospitality like
a canteen, as it offers an indoor space where people can
order food and drinks. Moreover, at the Action Research
Event many people underlined that Drakenland is empty
and therefore really warm with sunny weather. They
basically felt the need for some shadow, therefore: shelter.
Furthermore, Drakenland is also a shelter for nature as
it will host biodiversity hotspots. The fact that we plan
to implement running water to breed fish also creates
favorable conditions for many species that cannot develop
without the oxygen provided by moving water.
LUTKEMEERPOLDER Furthermore, a biomass processing facility and small
The notion of shelter should be linked to the community incineration plant will be installed. Since the plan is to
element in order to make more sense within the produce biomass on Drakenland, this same biomass will
Lutkemeerpolder. A shelter for the community; a meeting then be processed and used to produce energy on-site
place for people to gather and act collectively. With a (see Figure 21). Miscanthus, for example, can be processed
shelter, the aim is to facilitate the meetings and exchanges into pressed blocks or burned instantly. The same goes for
between the actors. We envision also that, among others, Typha (Murphy et al., 2013). The facility will be open to the
the future employees of the business park could have public to showcase the possibilities and, in general, how
lunch at the canteen of Drakenland and enjoy the fresh, the energy production works. An energy-saving option,
locally produced products. Typha can also be processed into insulation material. This
can then be used for the construction of the buildings on
Energy site (Colbers et al., 2017). This fits into the regenerative
DRAKENLAND image, wherein the usage of local materials is encouraged.
Since Drakenland is located in an area quite far from
connection to not only the sewer system of the city
of Amsterdam, but also from the electricity grid, self-
sufficiency is an important aspect. There are a few systems
in our proposition that need electrical power, such as
greenhouses, general heating and electricity inside the
building and the water pumping installations. Aside from
being self-sufficient, the goal is actually to produce more
energy than is used on-site. This, so that energy can actually
be sold, thereby making the project more economically
feasible and sustainable.

Figure 21: Biomass harvest, press and incineration

On Drakenland, we propose to produce energy by installing
solar PV panels and biomass incineration. PV panels will
be located on top of the building as well as on empty
parcels a pop-up installation could be set-up. On the roofs
of workplaces (small buildings wherein e.g. tools will be
stored for the manual labor on the parcels), solar panels
can be installed as well.
LUTKEMEERPOLDER
For energy in the Lutkemeerpolder, we propose to install
solar PV systems on top of the buildings where roof gardens
are not implemented, or even a combination of both. The
energy produced here can be used when the sun is out,
but many offices or business parks need to be able to rely
on a continuous electricity provision; certain apparatus
or installations need to run 24/7, so solar energy is alone
is not enough. For this reason, the business park will be
connected to the grid as well. On an extra sunny day, any
(possible) excess energy produced from the PV panels
could be sold to the grid.

Figure 20: Windmill to circulate water

To pump around the water in the main canal, and make it
possible to practice aquaculture, a windmill (Figure 20) will
be installed. On windy days, this windmill should be able
to provide enough energy to circulate the water. However,
since this process should be continuously running, it will be
necessary to connect the pump to the grid of the business
park Phase II for the times when there is too little wind to
power the windmill.
17
Waste
DRAKENLAND
In no time we agreed to, instead of designing solutions
to treat all traditionally produced waste, we propose
to tackle the problem closer to the source: implement
ways in which we could minimize the waste and make its
treatment easier.
The idea of dry (compost) toilets, for instance. The visit
at the Ceuvel, and their system to recycle the nutrients of
the black water in an odourless manner convinced us that
it could also be applied within Drakenland. Especially in a
context where linking Drakenland with the city sewage,
electricity and water system is a significant cost. The grey
water used for the dishes and other small use of water will
be dealt with a through a filtration system (see Figure 22).
Figure 22: Grey water filtration system
LUTKEMEERPOLDER
By setting the example of being innovative and independent
in terms of waste management in Drakenland, we hope
to inspire the adjacent business park. We suggest that
the business park companies collaborate and construct a
coherent and collective waste management network.
18
Community
DRAKENLAND
For Drakenland to be alive, people should run the canteen,
cultivate the crops etc. Therefore, a community-feeling is
key to animate and maintain the place. This community
could be linked with Terragon’s established community.
LUTKEMEERPOLDER
The community aspect of regenerative development mainly
applies to the way in which many actors and stakeholders
involved in Tuinen van West are enthusiastic about the idea
and are willing to cooperate in making it happen. The more
people are behind the plans, the more of a community
feeling is created and the more likely it will be that the
plans could end up being successful. Regeneration of land
depends on regeneration of spirit of those involved in the
process. This process itself not only demands creativity
and deep engagement and understanding of all actors,
but it also generates a learning process of understanding
how land works as a living system as well as rethinking the
traditional ways of using this land.
We have, through our commissioners and their contacts as
well as from our own (in-field) research, found that in the
Tuinen van West, there is quite a strong platform that is
ready and willing to invest time and effort to cooperate to
making a regenerative development zone happen for the
Tuinen van West. The quote by Haggard et al. (2006) below
is exactly what we feel is happening in Tuinen van West.
“One of the hallmarks of a regenerative
project is the buzz that surrounds it, as
people find themselves inspirited and
stimulated by 1) freeing themselves from
old mental models; 2) working from and to
place rather than from formula; 3) going
to the core or heart of what a project and a
place are all about; 4) learning to appreciate
Nature’s genius; and, above all, 5) seeing
themselves as playing a meaningful and
significant role.”
(Haggard et al., 2006)
“How do stakeholders perceive the vision
of regenerative development for the
Lutkemeerpolder?”
The regenerative development process has different
outcomes and consequences for different stakeholders.
During the process we tried to involves the different
stakeholders in different ways.
The main co-creation process has evolved from intensive
contact with our commissioners and the different people
involved within the Terragon foundation. The main
instigators of the regenerative development are Minne
Belger and his wife Claudia Rodrigues Ortiz. They have been
working on ideas for the development of the regenerative
Figure 23: Scheme of stakeholder relations
the municipality they formed the GEM Lutkemeer. This
company is leading the development of the business
park. Our main contact within the SADC is Peter Joustra;
in our meeting he presented us with the current state of
the zoning plan and the regenerative intentions for the
development of the business area. Peter also confirmed
our presupposition about the development of the business
area in stages over time towards a residential area. The
idea SADC holds for the business area fits well within the
regenerative plans for the Lutkemeerpolder. Even though
the road is paved with good intentions, the main focus of
the development of the business area is to make up for lost
money in the first phase of developing a business area. So
the intentions will have to be incorporated with a feasible
plan that is profitable for the SADC as well.
area for some years.
By combining his enthusiasm and his strong communication
skills Minne has succeeded in creating a broad support
base within the local community. As an effort to let the
municipality hear an unified sound from the Tuinen van
West, a letter of intent has been signed by the different
parties involved (see Figure 24). In order to get an
understanding of the different kind of stakeholders and
their relations to our project they are depicted in Figure
23 below.
For the regenerative development of the Lutkemeerpolder
an important aspect is the to-be-implemented business
area. This development is orchestrated by the Schiphol
Area Development Company (SADC). In cooperation with
Staatsbosbeheer owns the plots adjacent to the Drakenland
within the Lutkemeerpolder. The lands they own are part of
the green axis, which is established to create a connection
between the nature areas of Amstelland and Spaarnwoude.
In consultation with them we incorporated the lands they
own in our plan for regenerative development for the
Lutkemeerpolder.
The National Greenfund is an organisation which supports
green initiatives. They have been rallied by Minne to
support the project with funds. As a team we have not
spoken to them but they expressed their support through
contact with Minne. The main entrepreneurs within the
larger Tuinen van West region are the ‘Fruittuin van West’
and the biological farm ‘de Boterbloem’. In addition to
these entrepreneurs there is ‘de Kaskantine’.
19
Figure 24: Scheme of collaboration for the Letter of Intent
Friction exists between the family that owns ‘de
Boterbloem’ and the SADC who owns the land the farm
is located upon. The land was sold to SADC 10 years ago
but the family was allowed to use the land for free. Now
developing of the land is in sight the family protests and do
not want to leave. The verdict that SADC has the right to
develop the land was decided upon by a judge after a legal
case. The family who owns the biological farm has a lot of
community support within the region who tries to prevent
the land from being developed.
Within the other small plot owners there are mixed sounds
to be heard about regenerative development. Most
of the interviewed plot owners are positive about the
regenerative development. There are many small initiatives
such as a mushroom farm and a worm hotel. Some of
these small entrepreneurs are afraid that the regenerative
development will cause an influx of tourist when the area
gain familiarity. Their fear is built upon the fact that a large
20
influx of tourist will disturb the calmness that signifies the
area. On the other hand some entrepreneurs feel that the
influx of tourist will create a stronger foundation for the
area within the urban fabric of Amsterdam. In addition to
creating a stronger base within the community the influx
of tourist will improve the economic viability of starting
initiatives.
In conclusion, our overall impression about the perception
of regenerative agriculture from the stakeholders can be
seen as positive. Many of the stakeholders have been
involved in regenerative activities for a longer time.
Although intentions are positive towards regenerative
development there remains a competition for the space of
the proposed business area. The different stakeholders and
land users within the regenerative zone are united in letter
of Intent and sends a clear message to the municipality.
Drakenland as the heart of regenerative development
“To what extent do current initiatives at
different scales within Tuinen van West
contribute to the ambition of regenerative
development?”
In order to design what could be the future development of
Tuinen van West we analyzed the site and its dynamics. We
played with a potential future regenerative development
to understand how this place functions. We adopted a
well-known motto of Action research: “If you want truly to
understand something, try to change it” (Lewin, 1995). Our
change, here, is a regenerative development. How would
the current initiatives which makes the place so alive,
would get along with a future regenerative development?
During the Atelier we have met and/or got to know about Figure 25: Fruittuin van West
persons, associations, companies which are active within
Tuinen van West. We got to know more about their “What does socio-economic viability mean
activities and consider how a shift toward a regenerative
for Drakenland in the context of Tuinen van
development would make sense. Fruittuin van West is
one of many inspiring initiatives in the area (Figure 25). West, now and in the future?”
In Appendix A, you will find a short description of some
of the concerned actors followed by a general discussion Within the context of the Tuinen van West, the Drakenland
of how they could relate to a regenerative development. site will provide a meeting space and a learning
environment. In addition to these functions there is also
In addition to the large number of stakeholders, the a financial aspect to the development of the Drakenland
recreational area also counts more regular activities like site. The site is part of the larger Tuinen van West area
a business park, many sport facilities, an animal clinic that is an entrepreneurial region focused on agriculture.
etc. However what makes Tuinen van West’s identity and The local food production is an important aspect of the
peculiarity, it is all those sustainability oriented initiatives socio-economic viability as it attracts people to the area
and its greenery. Soon, another business park, bigger, is to and thereby creates revenue for the entrepreneurs. In
build within the Lutkemeerpolder, and the increasing need the future development of the Drakenland site the socio-
of housing of Amsterdam threatens this fresh dynamisms economic importance is incorporated in the co-creation
aiming to a greener future. In this context what would process. The site will continue the tradition of processing
mean a regenerative development? It would literally mean and selling locally produced goods. In discussion with the
to develop further the initiatives oriented towards a green commissioner it has been decided to focus on the fish
development, and reach beyond sustainability. What else production. The educational activities combined with
could strengthen them more? Give them more weight? the facilitation of meeting spaces will attract people to
When we try to change Tuinen van West in a regenerative the Drakenland site. Attracting people to the site is an
development zone we understand how all the initiatives of important factor in creating a socio-economically viable
all the entrepreneurs relate together and how they make plan for the Drakenland. In addition, reducing costs
this place so special. With this action research question through e.g. reuse of (local) materials can contribute to
we have get to grips with the project and identify how reaching socio-economic viability for the Drakenland site.
such development would make sense. And we can get
along the expectations our commissioners expressed for a
regenerative development.

21
CONCLUSIONS
Design-oriented
With regards to the relationship of the meeting place, the regenerative development zone, and the sense of place for
Tuinen van West, we have reached the following design-oriented conclusions:

Caution borders, highlight connections: Defining borders for regenerative development is useful
for practical purposes. It clearly indicates who is involved and which projects should be initiated.
However, borders exclude more than they include. We consciously represent the borders in a way that
communicates that this concept has relevance and significance beyond them. It is a globally relevant
paradigm that does not need to be confined, but rather shared indefinitely.

The power of the community: The greatest strength of this regenerative development project is that it
unites the stakeholders of Tuinen van West. This sense of place is therefore the uniqueness of the social
interactions on the site.

Work with what is there: Our experience has indicated that we do not need to create a sense of place,
because it is already there and it is positive and strong. Rather, our task is to implement landscape
interventions that support and enhance it by highlighting and connecting areas that can be developed.

A meeting place is crucial: A major challenge for actually realizing the regenerative development vision
and enhancing the sense of place associated with it is that there is currently no neutral place in which all
parties can meet to develop it, communicate it, and promote it clearly to a broader audience. That is why
it is crucial that the Municipality of Amsterdam has recently put a piece of land in the Lutkemeerpolder
up for tender. We see it as an opportunity to create this meeting place to realize the common vision.

22
ACTION RESEARCH
Place-making in action
This year’s Atelier focused on participatory action research,
which our team was involved with on a weekly basis, as
seen in the schedule found in Appendix E. The highlights
of our action research include, but are not limited to:
co-creating with Terragon, visiting Tuinen van West on a
Sunday to interview recreational visitors, participating in a
bike tour with Arnold van der Valk and Pieter Boekschooten,
presenting at the signing of Terragon’s Letter of Intent,
participating in the Action Research Event and working
with Richard Bosgraaf (from Terragon) in our atelier space.

We made a special effort to be in the field to meet our

commissioner and together evolve toward a project. But
also, we made sure to experience the site when it is most
alive: on weekends (where most visitors come to enjoy this
recreational area). See Appendix C for the questionnaire
used to generate Figure 26. We also took some soil
samples to find out for ourselves what the ground looks
and smells like. Figure 26: Word map produced from the questionnaire results

We co-created with Minne, Claudia, Richard and Jason on
multiple occasions throughout the atelier. We presented
our analysis, research and design solutions via video
chat and in person. Together we drew maps, guided by
Terragon’s relationships formed with Tuinen van West’s
residents and businesses over their fifteen-years on site.
We saw first hand how various parties were included or
excluded in the future of a regenerative development on
site. Figure 5 is the result of our collaborative mapping
exercise.
Half our team participated in a bike tour of Tuinen van West,
offered by Arnold van der Valk and Pieter Boekschooten.
It was an eye-opening experience, where we had the
chance to re-discover our site through the stories of two
gentlemen involved in the design and direction of Tuinen
van West since the 1990s. While biking beside them, they
shared small details that the average visitor would never
perceive. We also had the chance to receive feedback on
our concept and design intentions. Our map of the bike
tour discoveries can be seen in Appendix D.
On Sunday, June 24th our commissioners, Minne and
Claudia, organized the signing of their Letter of Intent for
the regenerative zone of Tuinen van West. The signing,
held at Terragon, was part of the Amsterdam-organized
‘We make the City’ event. It was attended by a handful
of stakeholders, the media, and half of our team. We
presented six informative posters and had the opportunity
to discuss the future of the site.
Finally, in addition to the Action Research Event, which will
be discussed in the following section, we had the occasion
to work on our design for the Drakenland site with Richard
Bosgraaf, the architect working with Terragon. He spent
several hours with us in our atelier space, helping us to
push our design forward. Following our meeting, he made
himself available for design feedback via text messages
and phone calls. The result of our collaboration will be
covered in the Drakenland Design chapter.

23
Action Research Event
Our team was allotted three-hours for our Action Research When reflecting on the entirety of the Action Research
Event (ARE) activities. The itinerary included the bike ride Event, our team believes that it would have been more
from Sloterdijk station, a tour of Tuinen van West, a stop beneficial had it been planned as a midterm event. We
at the Drakenland site, a workshop and snacks at Terragon learned so much from our workshop, from the other
and the bike ride back to Sloterdijk station. Thankfully, the
flexibility of time allowed for a return to the station an
hour later than anticipated.

The bike ride (see Appendix D for route) proved to be

more challenging that we anticipated. It was our first-
time biking from the station to Tuinen van West, as well
as biking the tour route planned using google maps. Not
only did we have some inexperienced bikers in our group
of thirty-some participants, but we also had very strong
gusts of wind and some stair-accessed pedestrian paths to
maneuver.
Figure 28: Circularity study of the KasKantine (by R. Bosgraaf)

teams, and from the various lectures and site visits,

which we could have further incorporated in our design
and research process. In hindsight, we should have
taken public transportation to reach Tuinen van West and
scheduled the bike pick-up on site. It would have provided
participants with more context, in relation to Amsterdam,
as well as have cut down the biking time.

Figure 27: Sticky-note exercise

The participants experienced the fragmentation between

the four-polders of Tuinen van West, in addition to the heat,
wind and constant stream of airplanes leaving Schipol.
Our first workshop activity involved a sticky-note session
(shown above in Figure 27), the results of which can be
found in Appendix D. We asked for a list of polder-friendly
vegetation, with a concentration on energy production
(biomass), soil or water-cleansing capabilities. Afterwards,
we asked them to write down their interpretations of
Tuinen van West as first-time visitors. Finally, we asked our
participants to design the Drakenland site, using a blank
plan of the site, with consideration of several important
elements discussed throughout our design process as
a team. We received a remarkable amount of results, a
number of which can be seen in Figure 30. A handful of
designs were used to move our final design forward.

Figure 29: (above) Reflection on circular projects from the ARE.

Figure 30: (right) Multiple designs for Drakenland
24
DESIGN
25
DESIGN
Transform Drakenland into a meeting place that inspires cohesion within the
1 regenerative developments of Tuinen van West and showcases it to a broader
audience.

Create a socially and economically viable regenerative systems based

2 development plan, for key parcels of land within Tuinen van West.

The regenerative development zone in the Tuinen van West
is situated for the largest part in the Lutkemeerpolder.
Therefore, most of our propositions apply to this area
as well. Conceptually, we believe that the regenerative
development zone will be a coherent and recognizable area
wherein the processes going on are visually transparent.
With regenerative development as the basis, the area
should showcase its possibilities and provide an example
for doing things differently than in the conventional way.
Furthermore, the regenerative development zone with our
propositions should fit within the context of Tuinen van
West. We want to create a socially and economically viable
regenerative systems based development plan. A holistic
system wherein not only regenerative development finds
a place, but the people with it. We want to transform the
area, with Drakenland as the epicentre, into a meeting
place that not only exposes regenerative design to a
broader audience, but also inspires cohesion within
the regenerative developments of Tuinen van West.
Regenerative development should become a household
term; embedded in the way we think and act. Through our
design, we aim to achieve this.

26
Figure 31: Context map with transportation
Connections to Amsterdam
Tuinen van West is located within the western part of
Amsterdam with Schiphol Airport to its south (Figure
31). From interviews we concluded that the desire to
get close to nature is present within the character of
inhabitants of Amsterdam. Tuinen van West provides a
large green agricultural space within Amsterdam. In order
to get to the area most people use the bicycle as mode of
transportation. Therefore it is essential to create a good
connection between Tuinen van West and the city. The
edges of the area can be reached by several bus routes
running alongside the area and the there is tramline 1
which ends at the border of the Tuinen van West. To
improve the cycling connection to the area we propose
a green connection to the existing green structure of the
city of Amsterdam. This green corridor connects to a newly
designed entrance to Tuinen van West and continues in
a scenic route through the site. The to-be-developed
business area will provide an additional influx of people
in the Tuinen van West. We suggest that tramline 1 will be
extended into the business park. This provides people who
are using public transport with access to the heart of the
regenerative area. The Drakenland site lies within walking
distance of the proposed tram stop.
27
 SADC Businesspark
Phase II zoning lines

2
1

Figure 32: transport and access concept

28
Tuinen van West
1 combine the existing regenerative oriented
Figure 33: Bridge to the Akerdijk
2 direction needs more attention, so we
Figure 34: Etnastraat entrance
3 the different elements of regenerative
Figure 35: Ookmeerweg entrance
Regarding the Tuinen van West scale we
incentives with a holistic view to tie the
whole Tuinen van West together. This
connection takes shape in two layers. The
first being transportation and access to the
Tuinen van West to physically connect the
different hubs of activities within the green
agricultural area (Figure 32). This shows our
intentions to extend tramline 1 (see Figure
31) and with a highlighted entrance at the
Etnastraat. (Figure 34).
We also concluded that the east-west
propose a scenic route over the old dyke. This
provides nice views from the higher ground
as well as adding a historic layer to the
design. This route connects to the proposed
green connection to the slotermeer area
with a newly designed entrance (Figure 35).
To improve the connection to the southern
neighbourhoods we also propose an iconic
bridge that crosses the Ringvaart and
welcomes visitors into the area (Figure 33).
The second is material flows shown on the
next page (figure 36). This layer addresses
development. It shows how they work
together and the interrelations between
areas and the function they have within the
holistic regenerative development system in
the Tuinen van West.
29
 PHASE II

Figure 36: Material flow concept

30
Design principles - Businesspark Phase II

a. Businesses collaborate for circularity b. Good soil on-site used on rooftops c. Rooftop gardens, solar panels, and
(water treatment, energy production etc.) the possibility for vertical farming

d. Connectivity to and between rooftops e. Fruit trees as border trees f. Green corridor

g. Gardens with restaurants h. All buildings have water i. Access by public transit - tram stop
along the edges purification systems

Figure 37: Design principles - Businesspark Phase II

For Tuinen van West (and more specifically, the
Lutkemeerpolder), we did not made a specific design, but
rather we developed a set of regenerative-based design
principles for Phase II of the Business Park (Figure 37).
We did this because it is most immediate and impactful
upcoming development (shown as zoning lines in Figure
32 and as a zone in Figure 36) and should be executed
properly. We propose to, for example, take the SKAL-
certified soil that will be excavated and place it on top of
the roofs of the buildings in the business park. This soil
can then be used for organic farming on the rooftops.
Moreover, solar panels can be installed on roofs as well.
Also, we propose a green corridor running through the
site, recreational gardens spread throughout and the
planting of fruit trees along the borders. Furthermore,
we propose a regenerative greywater filtration system,
the option of vertical farming and a collaboration system
between the businesses for waste- and water treatment
and energy production. The business park should be as
a holistic system and not as separate entities. To make
the area more accessible, not only for employees of the
business park but also for recreational visitors, we propose
to extend the tramline, which currently ends at station
Matterhorn, further into the Tuinen van West.

31
Drakenland
We see Drakenland as a meeting place and showcase for regenerative development. We
define them here to provide the foundation for our program and design principles.
Meeting place
It is simply: a place in which elements meet.
For Drakenland, it is a place in which materials
and people converge. It is the intersection
of the six elements of regenerative
development. Although Drakenland is
physically an island, metaphorically and
systemically it is the opposite. It connects
with the adjacent plots of land and with
the context at different scale levels, from
Tuinen van West, to Amsterdam and finally
to national and international audiences
interested in reconsidering paradigms of
sustainability. Meeting place also means
the convergence of character. Our design
responds to the nature of the site, its history,
and its natural and physical characteristics.
32
Showcase
It has a few definitions, each of which reveal a
relevant idea:
1. A glass case for the display and protection
of articles in shops, museums, etc.
2. An exhibit or display, usually of an ideal
or representative model of something.
3. The setting, place, or vehicle for
displaying something on a trial basis
(Dictionary.com, n.d.)
The key terms within these definitions are:
glass, display, ideal or representative model,
and trial. ‘Trial’ for Drakenland means
providing the space and means to experiment
with the different elements of regenerative
development relevant to the site itself and
the context of Tuinen van West. Drakenland
deals with systems on a small scale and
the six elements are explored in novel and
experimental ways for the purposes of
innovation, education and demonstration. A
‘glass case’ implies having facilities that makes
the process of regenerative development
open and transparent.
 Figure 38: (above) Drakenland concept collage
Figure 39: (below) section A-A’ through Drakenland

33
Site program
Drakenland is a showcase for regenerative development,
as seen in the program depicted in Figure 40 below. Apart
from being a meeting place, it is a site for research and
experimentation of soil and water-cleaning plants. The aim
is to decontaminate the land and then grow an assortment
of experimental and water crops. There are plots dedicated
to phytoremediation and soil flushing methods, as well
as experimental plots, biomass production, and plots
topped with organic soil from the neighbouring SADC
development site to grow polder-friendly crops. A control
site, where food are grown above ground in self-watering
planters, planting boxes and hanging planters, also serve
as a recreational space with picnic benches (see Figure 44
on page 43).
The building is primarily a research and educational
facility; as the core of the site, it hosts several functions.
Figure 40: Regenerative development program for Drakenland
34
Flexible, open space is located at the building entrance;
followed by research labs, food processing, biomass
processing, biomass storage, and a generous greenhouse.
A greywater treatment system and dry toilets cater to the
buildings’ sanitary functions. A canteen, located on top
of the building, specializes in fish-and-chips serving fish
bred in the canals surrounding the site and the potatoes
harvested from the neighbouring potato fields.
A water mill located at the vehicle entrance of the site house
the site’s aquaculture functions. The canal surrounding
Drakenland is a closed loop system, with blue fingers of
water penetrating the land, providing safe spaces for the
fish to breed as well as providing additional biodiversity
hotspots. Several work sheds are distributed across the
parcels; they provide storage space, work space, and flex-
spaces for inhouse researchers and farmers.
 Figure 42: (above) Isometric looking north-east
Design principles Figure 41: (below) Drakenland design principles

i. Soil flushing cleans the soil ii. Floating islands de-pollute the iii. Miscanthus for phytoremediation
water and biomass

iv. Rice cultivation and fish v. Transparent structure for openness and vi. Greywater treatment on-site
production once the site is clean rooftop garden with soil from SADC land

35
36
Figure 45: (left-above) Drakenland spatial plan
Figure 44: (right-above) Drakenland spatial program
Figure 46: (below) Section B-B’ through Drakenland

37
38
DISCUSSION
Our research project provides a solid base in terms of ideas
for regenerative development. However, more extensive
research on the technical systems is needed to take the
project to the next steps. The input of scientific knowledge
adds a strong foundation for the further development of
the project. Looking back on the project we can conclude
that working with an action research approach makes the
process iterative. From interaction with the area and its
actors, the scope of the project changed over time.
Us being a group of students working in a professional
environment has both its advantages as well as its
constraints. A positive aspect is that we can provide the
project with a fresh view and a different way of looking
at things than a professional would probably do. This,
however is also a disadvantage; we did not all have a lot of
experience working in a professional setting to take with
us into this project which meant that we especially learned
by doing. This project gave us the possibility to grow into
the dynamics of working in a professional environment.
Thereby we gained knowledge and experience that cannot
be taught in the university setting alone.
Placing the project in a larger context directed us into a
discussion about what future is to be expected for cities
and how those should look. This project involved us in a
local discussion that has global relevance for the future of
urban areas. The tender document we contribute to with
our research and design is just the start of the regenerative
development. We as a team believe that this project,
if it turns out as planned, could form the foundation for
regenerative development all over the world.
In addition it can be debated if we reach a regenerative
development stage, a possible outcome could be that
other competitors for the tender win and regenerative
development is not at all implemented, or at least not in
this site specifically.
39
References
Bodemkwaliteit. (2018). Retrieved from https://maps.amsterdam.nl/bodemkwaliteit/?LANG=nl

Boekschooten, P. (2018). Historie Tuinen van West pagina 4. Retrieved from http://sparkunited.nl/initiatieven/
wandelenfietsen/historietuinenvanwest4.html

Boyd, D., Buizer, M., Schibeci, R., & Baudains, C. (2015). Prompting transdisciplinary research: Promising futures for
using the performance metaphor in research. Futures, 65, 175-184.

Clausen, L. (2017). Feasibility of phytoremediation for common soil and groundwater pollutants (Doctoral dissertation,
Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU)).

Colbers, B., Cornelis, S., Geraets, E., Gutiérrez-Valdés, N., Tran, L. M., Moreno-Giménez, E., & Ramírez-Gaona, M.
(2017). A Feasibility Study on the Usage of Cattail (Typha Spp.) for the Production of Insulation Materials and Bio-
adhesives. Wageningen University and Research Centre.

Gemeenteraad van Amsterdam. (2008). De Tuinen van West: Programma van eisen Westrand. Amsterdam:
Gemeenteraad van Amsterdam.

Grontmij. (2011). Lekker de boer op!

Haggard, B., Reed, B., & Mang, P. (2006). Regenerative Development: New approach to reversing ecological
degradation offers opportunity for developers and Builders. Regenesis Group.

Jukema, N. (2007). Eindrapportage ‘Ketenontwikkeling biologische cranberry’s in Nederland’. [online] Praktijkonderzoek

Plant & Omgeving B.V. Available at: https://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/wurpubs/361401 [Accessed 5 Jul. 2018].

Ladislas, S., Gérente, C., Chazarenc, F., Brisson, J. and Andrès, Y. (2015). Floating treatment wetlands for heavy metal
removal in highway stormwater ponds. Ecological Engineering, 80, pp.85-91.

Lewin in: Charles W. Tolman (1996) Problems of Theoretical Psychology - ISTP 1995. p. 31.

Lone, M., He, Z., Stoffella, P. and Yang, X. (2008). Phytoremediation of heavy metal polluted soils and water: Progresses
and perspectives. Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B, 9(3), pp.210-220.

Murphy, F., Devlin, G., & McDonnell, K. (2013). Miscanthus production and processing in Ireland: An analysis of energy
requirements and environmental impacts. Renewable And Sustainable Energy Reviews, 23, 412-420. doi: 10.1016/j.
rser.2013.01.058

SADC. (2018). Business Park Amsterdam Osdorp, vlakbij Schiphol en de stad. [online] Available at: https://www.sadc.nl/
beschikbare-kavels-bedrijven/business-park-amsterdam-osdorp/ [Accessed 5 Jul. 2018].

Stewart, F., Mulholland, T., Cunningham, A., Kania, B. and Osterlund, M. (2008). Floating islands as an alternative to
constructed wetlands for treatment of excess nutrients from agricultural and municipal wastes - results of laboratory-
scale tests. Land Contamination & Reclamation, 16(1), pp.25-33.

Stokols, D. (2011). Forword: Transdisciplinary Action Research in Landscape Architecture and Planning: Prospects and
Challenges. Landscape Journal, 1-5.

Zandbergen, J. (2017). De voordelen van integreren. [online] Ekoland. Available at: http://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/
wurpubs/fulltext/416628 [Accessed 27 Jun. 2018].

40
Appendices
Appendix A: Concerned actors in Tuinen van West

The Empire of the Emperor: a cantina also an event sustainable and circular processes where projects
space, and organizing cooking workshops. They counts and processes are mapped and executed under the
supplier within the site and produces partly his own guidance of Cillian Terwindt - affiliated with Urgenda
herbs and vegetables, the cook contemporary dishes - often in collaboration with the Entrepreneurs
with organic and sustainable ingredients of the season. Association.
The 1800 Rats: an old depot where artists, young Gardener Wim Bijma: one of the last grower of the
entrepreneurs developing alternative and innovative Tuinen van West, who focus on growing (forgotten)
products can rent a place to develop their project. A vegetables and herbs.
great place to meet other people, get inspired by them The beach: A group of designers working for social
and collaborate. and sustainable innovation. At the core of The Beach’
De Boterbloem: an organic farm who in addition to activities is designing situations that allow for the
the cultivation of biological crops take part in care for shaping of new meanings and new relationships.
mentally disabled by employing them. Freelodge village: a small company which offer the
Community garden: a place where people get a space possibility of a sustainable stay within Tuinen van West
to do gardening by renting eco-friendly wood houses.
Van der Tol, denkt green: With green solutions the aim Fruittuin van West: a beautiful fruit garden where you
Berekende statistische kentallen zone 3
of Nota
thisBodembeheer
company is to
Gemeente makedecember
Amsterdam, the city
2013 greener, healthier can pick your own fruits and look at the chickens walk-
andGenerieke
moreMaximale
livable.
Waarden ing freely. You can also stop for a drink and pass by the
Urgenda | buro4D city: an experimental garden of
Stoffen AW MW wonen MW industrie I-waarde bodem
organic shop.
Arseen 20 27 76 76
Barium1 920
Cadmium 0,6 1,2 4,3 13
Chroom 55 62 180 180 (Cr III)
Cobalt 15 35 190 190
Koper 40 54 190 190
Kwik 0,15 0,83 4,8 36
Lood 50 210 530 530
Molybdeen 1,5 88 190 190
Nikkel 35 39 100 100
Zink 140 200 720 720 Lokale Maximale Waarden

Appendix B: Soil Quality Charts

PAK 1,5 6,8 40 40 (Nota Bodembeheer Gemeente Amsterdam, december 2013)
PCB (som7) 0,02 0,04 0,5 1
Minerale olie 190 190 500 5000 Deze toetsingswaarden gelden voor een standaard bodem (humus =10% en lutum= 25%). Om de toe te
passen grond te kunnen toetsen aan de toetsingswaarden, moeten deze toetsingswaarden worden
omgerekend naar het humus- en lutumgehalte van de toe te passen grond. Zie hiervoor Bijlage G
Bodemkwaliteitskaart Gemeente Amsterdam (behorende bij artikel 4.2.1) van de Regeling bodemkwaliteit.
Berekende waarden bovengrond (0-0,50 m-mv)
Lokale Maximale Waarden voor grond (standaard bodem, in mg/kg) afkomstig uit Amsterdam (tabel 3.3. Nota Bodembeheer)
Zone 3: Bodemkwaliteitsklasse : industrie Lutum : 7,2 Natuur Landbouw Moestuinen/ Wonen met tuin/ Binnenstedelijk wonen/
Ander groen,
Gezoneerd: ja OS : 7,4
Volkstuinen Plaatsen waar bebouwing, Plaatsen waar kinderen
Gem RTB
Stoffen N Min P25 P50 P75 P80 P95 Max Gem VC >Ind P95>I kinderen spelen/ infrastructuur spelen/
Arseen 1427 1,3 6,5 11 15 17 26 853 14 2,2 nee nee en industrie
Groen met Groen met natuur-
Barium 242 5,4 52 118 233 271 636 2131 192 1,3 nee nee natuurwaarden waarden/
Cadmium 1620 0,01 0,37 0,51 0,85 1,0 2,5 50 0,85 2,0 Achtergrond-
nee nee
Ander groen, bebouwing,
1429 0,98 19 22 32 36 55 1375 29 1,4 waarde,
Chroom nee nee infrastructuur en industrie
AW
Cobalt 239 3,5 7,4 11 18 20 38 112 15 0,82 nee nee
(Generiek)
Koper 1654 1,3 18 39 77 88 200 2370 73 2,0 nee ja
Zone 1 2 t/m 6 2 en 3 4 t/m 6
Kwik 1619 0,01 0,13 0,34 0,78 0,92 2,6 97 0,78 3,6 nee nee
stof
Lood 1674 1,0 50 140 349 423 1021 11212 311 2,0 nee ja
Arseen 20 20 20 27 27 76 76
Molybdeen 238 0,42 1,05 1,05 1,05 1,05 2,6 85 1,7 3,4 nee nee
Barium1 920 920
Nikkel 1623 1,8 17 23 32 35 67 861 32 1,5 nee nee
Cadmium 0,6 0,6 0,6 1,2 1,2 13 13
Zink 1692 8,0 111 242 570 719 1725 4559 476 1,3 nee ja Chroom 55 55 55 62 62 180 180
PAK 1604 0,01 0,83 2,9 9,6 13 55 1500 15 3,9 nee ja Cobalt 15 15 15 35 35 190 190
PCB (som7) 245 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,024 0,030 0,108 29 0,149 12 nee nee Koper 40 40 40 54 54 190 190
Minerale olie 1599 2,4 69 137 263 324 926 21500 317 3,2 nee nee Kwik 0,15 0,15 2 2 2 36 36
Lood 50 50 150 120 210 530 530
Molybdeen 1,5 1,5 1,5 88 88 190 190
Nikkel 35 35 35 39 39 100 100
Zink 140 140 140 200 200 720 720
PAK 1,5 1,5 3,4 3,4 6,8 40 40
1
De norm voor barium is tijdelijk ingetrokken. Gebleken is dat de interventiewaarde voor barium lager was dan het gehalte dat PCB 0,02 0,02 0,1 0,1 0,1 0,5 0,5
van nature in de bodem voorkomt. Indien er sprake is van verhoogde bariumgehalten ten opzichte van de natuurlijke
Min.Olie 190 190 190 190 345 500 500
achtergrond als gevolg van een antropogene bron, kan dit gehalte worden beoordeeld op basis van de voormalige
interventiewaarde voor barium van 920 mg/kg d.s. Verklaring kleurgebruik:
AW wonen Industrie<I-waarde I-waarde>industrie
>AW<wonen >wonen<industrie I-waarde=industrie

Soil quality on Drakenland, zone 3. (“Bodemkwaliteit”, 2018) Local Maximum Values for soil per function. (“Bodemkwaliteit”,
2018)
1
De norm voor barium is tijdelijk ingetrokken. Gebleken is dat de interventiewaarde voor barium lager was dan het gehalte dat van
nature in de bodem voorkomt. Indien er sprake is van verhoogde bariumgehalten ten opzichte van de natuurlijke achtergrond als
gevolg van een antropogene bron, kan dit gehalte worden beoordeeld op basis van de voormalige interventiewaarde voor barium van
920 mg/kg d.s.

41
Appendix C: Questionnaire for visitors to Tuinen van West

42
Appendix D: Action Research Event

43
Appendix E: Design process
Our understanding of Drakenland’s design potential
became apparent in the days leading up to the midterm
presentation. One after another our team members started
designing plans, inspired by what we were seeing each
other draw. We presented to our professors and fellow
students, and then to our commissioners a few days later.
After sitting down and discussing the feedback a few team
members created a rough concept for an amalgamated
design. That design was used in posters for the ‘We Make
44
the City’ event, after which we received design feedback
from our commissioners. A new design was created,
with the intention to be modified. That design was used
for the Action Research Event workshop. The design
proposals from the workshop in addition to a sit-down
meeting with Richard Bosgraaf, the architect working with
Terragon, enabled us to fully appreciate the possibilities of
integrating the Drakenland site with the current and future
developments of Tuinen van West.
Appendix F: Project timeline
TUINEN VAN WEST
A Regenerative Development Plan
to reach beyond sustainability