Discover Slow How – Ruimtelijk onthaasten: Rethinking Amsterdam's Urban Spatial Development and Innovation

This exhibition advocates for slowing down urban development in a time dominated by tight schedules and budgets. It analyzes how spatial deceleration can preserve and develop qualities such as cultural and spatial innovation, reuse, social connection, and ecology, using four specific areas of Amsterdam as case studies.

The exhibition 'Slow How – Ruimtelijk onthaasten' presents a compelling case for slowing down urban development, a process currently heavily influenced by time constraints and financial pressures. In the current climate, the construction sector faces significant demands for housing, scarcity of materials, and high labor costs, all while striving to meet sustainability requirements, often leading to project delays. This exhibition argues that by consciously taking more time, other values can become more dominant. These include cultural, social, and circular values, creating more space for innovation, reuse, social cohesion, tranquility, and ecology. While these outcomes may not be immediately quantifiable in monetary or time terms, they offer new perspectives for the sustainable development of urban areas. The exhibition delves into the past, present, and future of four specific Amsterdam areas: Ruigoord, Kop van Java, Marineterrein, and Holendrecht. Through photographs, videos, historical documents, urban planning designs, unique maps, and timelines, visitors can explore the distinctive alternative values of each area. The exhibition also showcases how spatial development has occurred over time: Ruigoord celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, Kop van Java has been intentionally left undeveloped for 25 years, Marineterrein has been developed alternatively for 10 years, and urban renewal in Holendrecht has been on the political agenda since 2020. The insights from these areas are compiled into a 'Slow Legend' designed to guide professionals, experts, and interested parties in building a checklist for contemporary urban planning. The exhibition also addresses the challenge of how to ensure that newly created values are preserved for the future, emphasizing the need for Amsterdam to balance its demand for new construction with the time required for innovation and experimentation to ensure future livability, climate resilience, and sustainability.

Adults: €4.00, Students: €2.00. Free entry for Stadspashouders Groene stip, children aged 0-18, and visitors with disabilities (and their escorts). Entry is also free with the I Amsterdam City Card. Tickets include access to all exhibitions at Arcam. Booking is available via the provided ticket link.