The Westerpark municipal district council decided to develop the former minicipal waterboard terrain (GWL terrain) in Amsterdam into a residential area in 1989. The complex was to be a car-free, environmentally friendly residential area. The plans not only influenced car use but also car ownership - the only parking spaces available were created on the edge of the complex. The complex includes properties for both renting and buying, with the emphasis on larger houses for families. There are generous outdoor spaces, apartments with roof gardens, private gardens for the ground floor properties and a green public space intended not only for the residents, but also for those living in the densely built adjacent neighbourhoods.
Publications
Factsheets
Factsheet 1: History of the area
Factsheet 2: Origins
Factsheet 3: Architecture
Factsheet 4: Environment
Factsheet 5: Maintenance
Flyer in Dutch, English and German.
Introduction to the GWL terrain and it's ecological design.
Westerpark municipal district council, 2000
Go to file
Urban Ecology. Innovations in housing policy and the future of cities. Towards sustainability in neighbourhood communities.
Jan Scheurer, Murdoch University, Perth Western Australia, april 2001.
See website Murdoch University
Go to file
The GWL terrain seen from above
Interested in a guided tour?
Send us an email. We will be happy to arrange a tour for you based on your personal interests.
