Discover "Ruimte voor Rechtvaardigheid": An Amsterdam Exhibition on Justice in Urban Transformation

This event, 'Space for Justice', explored how the transformation of the Netherlands can be used to improve the quality of life for everyone. Organized by ARCAM, it examined questions related to designing a just city, referencing specific projects and publications.

The Netherlands is undergoing a significant period of reconstruction with major spatial implications, driven by challenges such as the energy transition, housing demand, climate adaptation, and social division. This 'wederombouw' (reconstruction) needs to be approached in a socially sustainable manner to ensure it improves the quality of life for everyone. On Monday, June 19, 2023, ARCAM organized a regional meeting at Pakhuis de Zwijger as part of this discussion. Using the 'Subjective Atlas of Amsterdam' and 'Sample' (Kondor Wessels Vastgoed/Verdedig Noord) as case studies, the meeting investigated three key questions concerning the design of a just city: how free space can be secured and preserved within commercial development, how justice can be integrated into selection and assessment processes, and how local entrepreneurship can be anchored in funding and development. The discussions emphasized the need for equal playing fields rather than identical opportunities, highlighting the role of designers in creating visibility, policymakers in setting flexible requirements, and the importance of valuing informal organizational models. The concept of 'justice' itself was examined as perspective-dependent, prompting reflection on whose justice is being served and who benefits from it.