Tussentijd Apeldoorn

Commissioned by the City of Apeldoorn, Walas Concepts is crafting a concept for a department called In Between. Active programming of vacant buildings and empty spaces in the inner city and by committing the stakeholders to these activities and places, temporary or semi-permanent activities may be deployed that make a significant contribution to the effective density of use, mixed use variety and also the vitality of the downtown area. Because of the programming the department In Between will perform, the temporary use at one place can find another spot in town, temporary positions change place in the city, allowing those activities to develop for a longer period.

Temporary urban use will become a very important factor. On city level, vacancies and temporary use of buildings not a temporary, but a permanent phenomenon: the In Between use moves from building to building, from empty lots to other empty lots. This is an interesting urban time-space continuum. The In Between project offers a value-driven strategy to deliver more positive effects as a result from this dynamics of vacancies.

For a long time, the development of cities was directed outward. Expanding and growth were found in the outskirts, often in large monofunctional, residential, transformations. Slowly, however, we realize that the creation of more vital and resilient cities is crucial. Density, mixed use and community. More effective use of urban space and activities result in a higher quality of the public domain, while it also relieves the pressure on the natural and agricultural environment,

The city of Apeldoorn is a New Town. Its history shows a convulsive way of growth and a relatively monotonous demography. Many young people and educated professionals leave Apeldoorn, because of the absence of higher education, a lack of creative climate as well as insufficient urban features and facilities downtown.

Downtown Apeldoorn suffers from decreasing density and variety of functions, vacancies in prominent buildings and empty lots that wait for a better future. The vitality of Apeldoorn is threatened and it complies in no way to the success factors of density and effective mixed use.

At this time, Walas is mapping the current situation and we explore the feasibilities of a Department In Between for downtown Apeldoorn. We look at organizational, legal and financial frameworks. After completion, the next step may be to start the operations of In Between Apeldoorn. Momentarily we are instigating concrete solutions for a number of buildings and lots, so the results will become visible shortly.