The Netherlands in 2050: paragraph 1: The city in 2050

• Aardrijkskunde
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3

Paragraph 1: The city in 2050

At the end of this lesson

you can explain how a city in the Netherlands in 2050 should be designed

High demand new houses in 2050

3 reasons

1. Existing housing shortage
2. Expected population growth
3. Shrinking household size

Mostly houses needed in cities (re-urbanization): everything is close by (basic amenties and secondary amenities)

Cities need to be 3 things:

• Renewed
• Sustainable
• Affordable 

Renewed cities

Densification: building in existing cities ('infill') to use space more efficiently. 

This brings: 

- redevelopment of sites that are not being used anymore 

- combined functions/mixed use (living, working, recreation)

-> compact city policy

Advantages of densification:

- less traffic

- more space for nature, recreation and agriculture outside cities.

Disadvantage of densification: mainly small expensive apartments in cities. Effect: lower density suburban neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the cities. 

When renewing the cities they need to become smart cities. 

Smart city means using modern technologies like sensors, cameras and apps to help keep daily life running smoothly

Sustainable cities

By 2050 all Dutch cities have to be sustainable cities

This is a big challenge because population growth leads to:

- more waste

- more traffic

- more energy use

Sustainable cities

The government needs to take different measures to get there

• Make sustainable buildings (f.e. use circular materials, the best insulation options and renewable energy sources)
• Building flexibly (don't leave buildings vacant)
• Greening the cities (and improve the quality of life and reduce the threat of heat stress and flooding)

Affordable cities

High demand + limited supply in the city  = high housing prices

• In the cities: young, highly skilled people from the Netherlands and abroad with a high income. They can afford it. 
• Unable to afford living in the cities: people with low and middle incomes. There is not enough social housing for people most in need: mainly families and starters are moving away. 
• Jobs, schools and healthcare facilities in cities must remain accessible for everyone. The government needs to build affordable housing in areas with fast, reliable and low-cost public transport

To work

Make assignment 2 until 8 of paragraph 1

5 minutes in silence, after that you can discuss and help each other out. 

What have you learned today?