Amsterdam Science Park (ASP) is situated in the Amsterdam Eastern district, surrounded by a park, waterside, highway and train track and local neighbourhoods. The Amsterdam Science Park campus currently holds the highest concentration of university science education and research organisations in the Netherlands, and one of the highest in Europe. In addition, 170 knowledge-intensive companies, from startups to multinationals, make the park a hub for education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of ICT, life sciences, high tech materials and sustainability.

The development of the park in its current science-oriented function was initiated in 1946 and has been developed since the mid 80’s, with the ASP masterplan being initiated in 2003 and revised in 2019. The latter ‘Development Vision’ report runs until 2028, demonstrating the advanced stage of this urban area in development and existence of established practices on site. The latest update to the masterplan from 2019 subscribes to the following four strategic development goals: 1) Colouring: a ‘programmatic colouring’ of the area, with a certain mix of functions, which creates an optimal interaction environment, with a rich palette of qualities and facilities. 2) Densification: Adding a building programme to initiate the desired ‘colouring’, and to give certain functions ‘critical mass’ so that they can have even more impact nationally and internationally. 3) Interweaving: Stronger internal and external relationships through better routes in public space and traffic connections with the city and region and 4) Sustainability: Showcasing the top position in science with sustainable designs and techniques that also contribute to the liveability and environmental quality of the campus.
The site is of ecological significance to the province of North Holland in general and to its surroundings in particular. It functions as an ecological corridor, connecting biodiverse areas in the east and south of Amsterdam with waterways in the north of the city. Therefore, the ASP is given special consideration in terms of development and protection of ecological systems in urban environments.

Challenges and opportunities for Meanwhile intervention

The T-Factor pilot at the ASP looks at temporary uses as ways to ‘renew the fundamental relationship between nature and humans in cities‘. Temporary uses are seen as drivers for a green and nature-driven regeneration, supporting and enhancing the further development of the ASP towards long term objectives of sustainability, health and wellbeing and, overall, quality of life. Through this challenge, the meanwhile strategy aims to investigate how community interventions, arts-led practices, and urban greening and wilderness can be brought together to advance novel new ways of understanding and designing the living environment.