By Josje Staal August 2025 Academy of Architecture Amsterdam
Colophon
Josje Staal
Staal.josje@gmail.com
Graduation project
Master Urban Design
August 2025
Committee
Riëtte Bosch (Mentor)
Jasper Nijveldt
Rutger Oolbekkink
Additional members for the exam
Hans van der Made
Robert Younger
Exploring how spatial design can help create welcoming homes for asylum seekers in the Netherlands.
Geachte Andrés,
Er is al heel veel geweest en gedaan, maar we kunnen helaas niet verder, we zijn kapot nu, in a broken state of life en mind, sé que extrañas ser libre exteriormente Mais nu je suis waarschijnlijk niet zo vrij, ik kan mezelf zijn, maar ik kan niet zo veel doen, graag ik mijn leven kunnen controleren but now I’m a prisoner of my pesimism and melancholie, zorg voor jou alstublieft en vergeet niet te uit checken
- Andrés v A multilingual reflection by Andres, expressing his life in the Netherlands through the three languages that shape his identity: Spanish, his mother tongue and voice of his roots; English, his bridge to the wider world; and Dutch, the language of his new home.
What if we use the power of urban design to no longer sideline asylum seekers but to integrate them as a natural and valued part of our cities, creating space for living, growing, and establishing a home?
In the summer of 2022, the media was filled with stories of people who fled their countries (and homes) and were forced to sleep on the streets here in the Netherlands. I was flabbergasted that this was happening in my country. This was followed by reports of inhumane conditions for asylum seekers — inadequate shelter, long wait times, and no prospects. It motivated me to act, leading me to use my graduation project to explore spatial solutions that foster welcoming homes for asylum seekers in the Netherlands. As a designer, I have a responsibility and an opportunity to propose a new spatial reality—one that offers long-term dignity rather than short-term fixes.
During my research, I volunteered at “Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland,” where I met many people stuck in our system. One of them was Andres, one of the most joyful, energetic individuals I know. His enthusiasm was infectious. However, beneath that energy and joy, there was also sadness and exhaustion.
Andres had just turned 18. That milestone changed everything: no more school, limited access to work, and relocation to a temporary shelter in a former office building—an impersonal place shared with 600 others. He now shared a bedroom with four strangers, with no control over lighting, privacy, or routine. Most painfully, he has no perspective, no timeline, no stability, no promise of a better future. His poems reveal the vulnerability and sadness he experiences.
Andres is not alone. Thousands of others find themselves in similar conditions. They are not seen as future neighbours but as temporary burdens, moved from place to place, cut off from meaningful participation. And this system doesn’t just fail asylum seekers; it also fails Dutch citizens. Municipalities are burdened with short-term mandates. Little to no investment is made in high-quality shared spaces that benefit both newcomers and long-term residents. Misinformation and fear dominate the discourse instead of facts, proximity, and empathy.
Omar from Yemen exemplifies how valuable asylum seekers can be when given the chance. He arrived in the Netherlands as a refugee and now studies at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. Alongside his studies, he volunteers to help lonely elderly people, assisting with tasks like grocery shopping and playing games. His story illustrates what becomes possible when newcomers are welcomed into participation and community.
My research and design focus on the disconnection between the fundamental reality of migration, where asylum seekers are a small part of, and how our spatial system perceives it as temporary and an isolated issue. I developed spatial frameworks for two contrasting areas: the village of Maasdijk and the urban neighbourhood Binckhorst in The Hague. Both locations demonstrate that anchoring permanent shelter in every urban development is possible and that providing emergency shelter can significantly enrich the public domain. My project emphasises the need to rethink inclusive urbanism, where permanent and temporary shelters are seamlessly integrated into urban development, and public spaces serve both newcomers and the city community.
My design shows that adding flexibility and providing shelter do not have to compromise quality; instead, they enhance the public realm. Temporality” for the permanent quality of Everyone
For over 100 days, asylum seekers were forced to sleep outside the reception centre in Ter Apel, 2022. This image became the starting point for my graduation research.
source: ANP
The first step is to look back to understand how refugee housing in the Netherlands has evolved and why we are where we are today. The Netherlands has consistently welcomed people fleeing conflict, persecution, and danger. From German Jews to Syrians and Sudanese today, the need has always been the same: a safe place to rebuild. Regular migration has been central to our development, from filling job gaps during periods of economic growth to broadening our cultural horizons through international exploration. The question is why asylum migration cannot be part of these developments.
Over the past 100 years, the most significant change in refugee shelter occurred after World War II, when the United Nations established the UN Refugee Convention in 1951. The convention marks the international founding of the UNHCR and defines when someone is officially recognised as a refugee, and obliges countries to grant asylum (UNCHCR, n.d.).
In the Netherlands, churches and local committees helped refugees find shelter and build a new life. Compassion was enormous for those who had to flee. As more people sought safety, the number of organisations offering assistance increased. The Dutch government aimed to have a single dialogue partner to simplify things. They merged in 1979 to form VluchtelingenWerk. (VluchtelingenWerk, n.d.) In the 1980s, Dutch society demonstrated strong support. Volunteers acted as a bridge between newcomers and the community. Sympathy was high for educated refugees, while others, such as those from Somalia or Iran, faced suspicion, an issue that continues to this day.
With growing waiting lists at shelter locations, tensions rose, both within the shelters and in the government. As a response, the first asylum centres, called RAO-housing (Regeling Opvang Asielzoekers), were introduced across the country. To manage these, the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) was established in 1994 as a governmental body responsible for refugee accommodation.
However, RAO-housing quickly proved insufficient. Larger AZC (Asylum Seeker Centre) locations were created, often in remote areas, far from society and our communities. This isolation hindered integration. According to Frits Florin, founder of VluchtelingenWerk, prolonged confinement in small, crowded spaces leads people to lose their ability to adapt. Asylum seekers, surrounded by others in similar uncertainty, had little to do and no clarity about their future. (VluchtelingenWerk, n.d.)
During this period, the Netherlands’ image as a tolerant country began to erode. The 9/11 attacks and the murders of Pim Fortuyn and Theo van Gogh hardened public opinion. Fear of outsiders grew, and refugees were increasingly grouped with undocumented migrants and “foreigners.” A shift in political climate followed. The Aliens Act of 2001 curtailed asylum seekers’ rights, and policies increasingly focused on deterrence rather than protection, such as the rules for employment and regulations on forced returns. As a result, the number of asylum applications dropped significantly in 2002 and the years that followed. This coincided with a rapid closure of existing reception centres. The COA’s funding model, based on the number of occupied beds, reinforced a reactive rather than anticipatory approach.
Yet, with less shelter locations The Netherlands was unprepared when a new wave of refugees arrived due to the war in Syria and authoritarian regimes in countries like Eritrea. Once again, shelters were overcrowded, and conditions deteriorated. Initiatives and volunteer campaigns emerged to help, but resistance also grew louder. Dutch society was never so divided.
To this day, this division remains. Politicians continue to exploit the issue for political gain, often at the expense of people seeking protection. Rights, such as the ability to work, are being restricted. Shelters are intentionally kept austere, in hopes of discouraging asylum seekers from coming to the Netherlands. Two governments have already collapsed under the pressure of this self-made and perpetuated crisis.
At the same time, there are signs of progress. The Spreidingswet (Dispersal Law) now requires municipalities to share responsibility for providing shelter. Basic legal standards for shelter have been established, and volunteer organisations are increasingly active in supporting newcomers. These are hopeful developments, bright spots in what has often been a particularly dark chapter.
The main issues we face are that our asylum system is reactive rather than proactive. Sudden influxes of people are met with improvised solutions instead of a stable, long-term framework. And over time, fear has moved reception away from integrated urban housing toward isolated, largescale facilities with little opportunity for daily interaction, privacy, or meaningful activity. This separation has weakened integration and created tensions with surrounding communities. The task ahead is to reverse this trend: to design a system that is able to react to influx and provide integration from the start, embeds reception within the social and spatial fabric of our cities, and shows that hosting refugees can strengthen rather than divide our communities.
1996 The inflow of asylum seekers decreases. The need for flexibility and optimal living conditions leads to the choice semi-permanent construction. *1
1996 The start of Ter Apel. On former NATO site near Ter Apel, departure centre for rejected asylum seekers opened. (This happened after both NATO and the games factory closed their doors and the municipality wanted maintain employment)
the establishment of the first reception locations.
1987 Asylum seekers must report the Social Services until 1987 and receive social benefits. People were accommodated throughout the country in, guesthouses and hotels. *1
Percentageofsocial housing Numberofasylumapplications
1995 Decentralised reception centres municipalities are phased out. The state responsible for the central reception of asylum seekers and the municipalities are responsible for the housing those entitled to stay. *1
1994 Start the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) responsible for the implementation of the admission policy. (Right from the start, the COA searches reception capacity on large scale. Boarding houses, hotels and bungalow parks are needed accommodate the large influx.)*1
2001 The Aliens Act of 2001 curtailed asylum seekers’ rights, and policies increasingly focused on deterrence rather than protection.
2002 Assassination Pim Fortuyn Dutch politician killed during election campaign; marked a turning point in the public debate on migration and integration.
1998 Eventually 4.224 refugees from Kosovo arrive the Netherlands. 2.000 are housed tent camps in Ermelo and Ter Apel. *1 2002 the tipping point after constant growth. There now sharp decline in the number of asylum seekers in reception facilities, which means that the COA must take several measures to reduce reception capacity. *1
1998 The pressure on capacity led to the emergence of new forms of shelter. For instance, 1998, the self-care arrangements (ZZA) and the central shelter in homes (COW) were initiated. Notably, the average cost day of shelter 1998 was 75 guilders (approximately 34 euros); now averages 77 euros. *1
2001 9/11 Terrorist Attacks in the United States. Global impact on migration, security, and asylum policies.
2004 Murder of Theo van Gogh.
2005 The “New” reception model was introduced and is still active today. The process was divided into phases and was supposed shorten the length of stay. *1
2010 Rise international schools; English-language education expands rapidly.
2013 The rising number asylum seekers creating an increased demand for capacity. *1
2010 The col (central reception location) and pol (process reception locations) are introduced. *1
2012 lot of negative media attention and the decision reduce the number of shelters the Netherlands led difficult times, particularly for employees. *1
2015 A hectic year in which emergency shelters are deployed and municipalities aid with ‘crisis emergency shelters’ (sports halls, for example). *1
Asylum remains a contentious issue in Dutch and European politics, often highlighted by negative headlines. However, asylum seekers constitute only a small portion of migration to the Netherlands, and their journeys are influenced by factors that extend well beyond the political debate. The asylum process itself resembles a bureaucratic labyrinth, deeply rooted in decades of policies focused on deterrence. Temporary measures and political indecision have led to continual relocations, fragmented shelter systems, and increasing unrest in municipalities. Meanwhile, local initiatives and municipal efforts are working to establish more humane conditions. This chapter examines these current dynamics: the movement of people, the distribution of shelter sites, and the complex relationship between housing, asylum, and employment.
The Netherlands is a place of coming and going. When looking at migration to and from the Netherlands, it is important to place asylum seekers in perspective. Although public debate often gives the impression that asylum drives migration, in reality, asylum migration makes up only a small fraction of the total. The majority of international migration is shaped by study, work, and family motives. Moreover, migration is not one-sided: every year, a substantial number of people also emigrate from the Netherlands, sometimes returning to their country of origin, sometimes moving on to new destinations. Historical examples show this clearly, from Dutch citizens encouraged to emigrate after the Second World War, to Italian and Spanish workers who returned home in the 1960s when economic opportunities improved (Boer & Janssen, 2023).
Seen in this wider context, asylum seekers are part of a much broader and dynamic pattern of mobility. They form only one group within an ongoing flow of people who come and go, driven by shifting opportunities, personal circumstances, and global developments
In 2023, 360 thousand people immigrated to the Netherlands — the equivalent of one out of every 50 residents.
Asylum seekers other then Ukraine are only 13% of the immigrants and only 0,3% of the total inhabitants of the Netherlands)
The asylum process in the Netherlands is a complex and often confusing journey for those seeking protection. It starts with the application at the registration centre in Ter Apel, followed by a brief period of rest and preparation. During this time, individuals are expected to recover from their journey and get ready for the General Asylum Procedure (Algemene Asielprocedure), which includes two important interviews: the first focuses on identity, nationality, and the route taken; the second explores the reasons for fleeing. Although structured, the process often feels like a bureaucratic maze—hard to navigate, especially for those still dealing with trauma or uncertainty.
Adding to this confusion is the instability of shelter. Due to a lack of permanent reception capacity, asylum seekers are frequently moved from one temporary location to another, staying in one place long enough to regain a sense of stability. This constant relocation interrupts crucial routines: legal support, healthcare, language courses, and social connections. For many, the search for safety becomes a prolonged experience of dislocation, one where the system itself feels like another obstacle to overcome.
source: COA
Waiting times for approval of asylum application 87%
Of the asylum applications, a share is approved after the first decision, and the applicants are granted status
Source: Eurostat
Shelter locations (2024)
source: (COA - Locatiezoeker | www.coa.nl, n.d.)
Beyond Shelter - Josje Staal
The COA is responsible for providing shelter during the asylum procedure in the Netherlands. Throughout this process, people are moved between different locations, each designed to match a phase of the procedure. Ideally, this system offers some structure, but in practice, it often feels fragmented and unstable.
Because the system is under pressure, there are three main types of reception (Noodopvang versus Azc, n.d.):
1. Regular reception: offer more stability, basic facilities, and consistent guidance.
2. Temporary reception: meets minimum standards but is intended to last only 2 to 5 years.
3. Crisis or emergency shelters: Quickly arranged, often in gyms or event halls, lacking privacy, support, or education. These shelters are twice as expensive as regular ones but offer far less quality.
Emergency shelters continue to be in use due to the lack of a long-term plan from the national government, resistance from inhabitants, and fluctuating capacity needs. This leads to frequent relocations of people, which increases stress and makes it difficult to establish routines or integrate into their new environment. This contributes to dehumanising conditions. What we need is a human-centred approach to asylum seeker reception. Creating a home away from home will help them better integrate into our society. There are already good examples, like “Plan Einstein in Utrecht,” where a reception centre is well integrated in the neighbourhood and offers not only help and activities for asylum seekers but also for everyone who wants to join.
If we examine the current location of the shelter, we can identify mismatches with other issues such as housing availability, job opportunities, and access to public transport. Being able to work is not only crucial for asylum seekers to find purpose and routine in their daily lives, but it also benefits the economy.
Research shows that the labour potential of asylum seekers is underused, and allowing them to work can generate billions for the public treasury. This is because the government can save money on benefits, they receive additional income from taxes, and asylum seekers will spend more money (Vervliet & Heyma, 2024). Asylum seekers are now permitted to work after six months from the application date, provided their employer has a work permit for the asylum seeker (Rijksoverheid, n.d.). This makes it more difficult for them to find employment compared to others, especially as the position of permanent shelter is often far from job opportunities, as shown on the map. This indicates that we need to re-evaluate our laws and spatial planning regarding the placement of reception centres. It highlights that prioritising suitable housing for asylum seekers and those with regularised status near employment opportunities is a sensible approach.
source: COA - Capaciteit en bezetting | www.coa.nl, n.d.) source: CBS, LISA
Asylum seekers rely on walking, cycling, and public transport. This means that access to shops, sports clubs, work, and schools depends on the connectivity of shelter locations. At present, many shelters are situated on the outskirts of society and can only be reached easily by car. This not only hinders integration but also draws unwanted tension within the locations themselves. When shelters are accessible, residents gain independence.
Another factor putting pressure on asylum shelters is the broader housing shortage. With rising demand and many people struggling to find a home, fears have emerged that asylum seekers are ‘taking our houses.’ In reality, however, the demand for housing is only partly driven by population growth. A significant share comes from shrinking household sizes, as households today consist of fewer people than before (Staatscommissie Demografische Ontwikkelingen 2050, 2024). Moreover, only about 10% of migration is related to asylum seekers. The real challenge lies in providing appropriate housing.
In the Netherlands, different groups are often approached separately when it comes to housing. Yet, if we look more closely, many face the same difficulties in finding a suitable home. Because of the strained housing market, people often end up in similar, less-than-ideal solutions, choices made out of necessity rather than preference. What these groups have in common is that they mainly consist of single-person households looking for a small apartment, with either a shared or private living space. By focusing on creating welldesigned homes, we can respond to the needs of asylum seekers and many other groups alike, while moving beyond the labels that currently divide them.
When we compare housing solutions for different groups in the Netherlands, we see that many face the same difficulties in finding a suitable home. Because of the strained housing market, similar types of solutions are often used across groups. These solutions are usually accepted because there is no other option, but it is not the ideal situation they want to live in. What most groups have in common is that they consist mainly of single-person households seeking an apartment, either with a shared or private living room. This means that if we focus on creating well-designed homes, we can meet the needs of asylum seekers as well as many other groups.
70.000 social rental homes in the Netherlands are occupied by people with
a residence permit (status holders), which is 3% of the total stock (2.3 million). source: CBS
A fairer and more sustainable approach is possible, such as the spreidingswet, which aims to create smaller-scale, more evenly distributed shelters across the country. As of February 1st, 2024, the distribution law came into force. This law changes the willingness of municipalities to provide shelter into a legal obligation. The number of beds that should be created in a municipality is based on the number of inhabitants and the municipality’s prosperity. This is a logical step in creating a fair distribution over the country, also in comparison with topics like housing shortages and job opportunities.
To make the “spreidingswet” happen, we also need other types of reception centres. As the COA describes on the website, the plan aims to establish a stable and flexible asylum reception shelter. To achieve this, they need to add three new types of reception. First, more locations are required for initiating the asylum application process. Currently, asylum applications are only possible in Ter Apel and Budel. Second is the realisation of satellite locations for asylum seekers who need less frequent contact with authorities and other organisations. The locations can vary in the number of people because facilities can be arranged at a distance. The last type is regional reception, an area for people with a promising application where they can start the integration process. Besides the types of reception, it is essential that different groups can use them (COA, n.d.).
Although the law was approved at the beginning of 2024, the majority of municipalities do not provide the required amount of shelter. In 2022, Kuipers researched why municipalities do not organise shelter for asylum seekers. He pointed out 14 arguments. Although more and more municipalities want to help, there are still some arguments holding up why they have not organised it yet.
Distibution according to the law
source: CBS, COA and ministie A&M 5
source: Ministirie van justitie en veiligheid
Municipalities that have achieved at least 90% of the shelters (green)
14 reasons why municipalities do not organize reception The arguments municipalities give for not organizing reception for asylum seekers(Kuiper, 2022)
There is no space
They do more then other regions The requirements of the COA are too high 1. 3. 5. 7. 9. 11. 13. 2. 4. 6. 8. 10. 12. 14.
It is a task of the National government
Not enough manpower They already do a lot for other groups
A bad history with the COA Want to invest in long-term solutions
Prevents other social developments
Political unwillingness Long-term vision is missing
The number should be in balance with residents
They note the difficulties with integration
Related to the pressure on the house market
Regional map focusing on the different dynamics
Zuid-Holland offers a paradox: it’s a region with economic strength, job opportunities, and a key role in the national spatial strategy (“Nota Ruimte”), yet it has no balanced system of asylum reception. Most of the large, temporary and emergency shelters are concentrated in the bigger cities, while many municipalities offer nothing at all. This mismatch presents a compelling case for reimagining how reception can become part of inclusive urban development.
In the “Nota Ruimte,” Zuid-Holland is identified as a key region for stimulating spatial-economic development. The goal is to move toward a more complete region, where living, working, services, and green spaces are more balanced. The same policy notes that the current spatial framework calls for improvements in both the physical and social qualities of the built environment (Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties, 2024).
My focus areas will be Maasdijk and the Binckhorst, two very different places, each with its own dynamics. Maasdijk is a small village surrounded by a working landscape, but there is little focus on education. It’s dominated by cars and is hard to reach by public transport. The municipality has no shelter for asylum seekers. The Binckhorst in The Hague is almost the opposite: a working area in transition, evolving into a mixed-use neighbourhood close to the city centre and near a variety of educational institutions. At the moment, it hosts an emergency shelter in a former office building where 602 people — including Andres — live under challenging conditions. People share small rooms with four strangers, have no privacy, and can’t even control the light switch.
Both locations fall under the obligations of the “Spreidingswet”, which means they will have to provide shelter. Westland, the municipality that includes Maasdijk, must house 702 asylum seekers. The city of The Hague is responsible for 2.513 (Veiligheid, 2024). These numbers are often seen as a burden. But they can also be an opportunity, a chance to improve the places we build, and to create homes that work for everyone. Maasdijk will be a satellite location from The Hague and Rotterdam, well connected by bus. Within Westland, more villages benefit from the regional busline, if we divide the number of asylum seekers among the villages that have a stop according to the number af residents. Maasdijk should house at least 67 people. Binckhorst is a significant development area with thousands of people coming, which offers an opportunity to make a grand gesture in terms of shelter.
Distribution of shelter according to the “Spreidingswet”
96.000
The Netherlands
702
Westland
Design assignment
19.776
Province of Zuid-Holland
2.513
67 Min 200
Maasdijk
The Hague Binckhorst
While the historical timeline reveals systemic gaps, personal stories call for care and compassion. Today’s asylum seekers might be tomorrow’s neighbours or colleagues, like Omar and Andres from my volunteering group. Most asylum seekers are on the move out of necessity, fleeing war, persecution, or human rights violations. Conflicts around the world influence the influx of people seeking safety. Many have to leve everything behind: family, friends, jobs, or studies. Many prefer to stay close to home, hoping to return when conditions improve. When they move further, it is often for crucial reasons: to reunite with family, access work or educational opportunities, or rebuild a future.
As highlighted in De Vluchtelingen Republiek (Boer & Janssen, 2023), many prominent figures in Dutch history were once refugees: members of the royal family, artists like Frans Hals, and politicians like Ayaan Hirsi Ali. This diversity shows that people on the move cannot be boxed into fixed categories. A refugee today might be a worker or international student tomorrow. Each refugee is a person, like you and me, with needs, problems and dreams. The line between groups is not black and white but very thin or non-existent.
The label “asylum seeker” is not a complete identity. It’s a political term that, while convenient for institutions and the media, often strips away individuality and humanity. As comedian Arjen Lubach once said, “It’s like blaming traffic jams on the Toyota Yaris,” which is absurd and misleading. In public debate, the label is used to simplify complex issues and shift blame.
But behind every label is a person. Many asylum seekers were professionals: doctors, teachers, researchers, before being forced to flee. They arrive in the Netherlands with the desire to rebuild, study, and contribute. But instead of harnessing this potential, our systems are often designed to hold people back. If we truly saw them as future colleagues, neighbours, or classmates, we would create completely different structures for reception, integration, and participation.
When reception and shelters are isolated, overcrowded, or lack spaces for personal expression, they send a clear message: you are temporary, you are other. In contrast, environments that foster familiarity, connection, and purpose allow people to regain a sense of stability and dignity, the very conditions that make integration possible. Creating a feeling of home is not a luxury; it is a prerequisite for building cohesive, resilient communities. Feeling at home is more than having a roof over your head. It’s about safety, belonging, and the ability to take part in everyday life. Without this foundation, people remain on the margins, disconnected from both their new environment and their potential.
of the asylum seekers are singleperson households
Source: CBS
To explore what home means to people, my refugee group and I used different ways to capture this feeling. We gathered recipes that remind people of home all over the world and collected the related stories of home to these recipes, which we bundled in a cookbook, “A Taste of Home”. During a joyful launch of A Taste of Home, we hosted a creative workshop. Guests were welcomed to reflect on the question: What makes you feel at home? Each participant received a simple A5 card and was encouraged to share their thoughts through collage, drawing, painting, or writing. It was a relaxed, hands-on activity that naturally sparked heartfelt conversations and inspiring, personal creations.
The workshop was part of a larger celebration featuring food from around the world, admiring artwork by talented refugee artists, and celebrating the unveiling of the lovely cookbook created in collaboration with the team at VluchtelingenWerk. It was a joyful event that welcomed a beautiful mix of refugees, migrants, and Dutch locals. What truly touched everyone was not their different backgrounds, but the many shared feelings about home. These heartfelt cards capture those special reflections: the need for quiet, the joy of connecting with others, and the soothing presence of green, open spaces.
“On the left, photos from the launch and the workshop ‘When Do You Feel at Home?’; on the right, a few cards created by workshop participants.”
Home is often found in moments of connection, through shared meals, laughter with friends, or spaces where people feel free to be themselves.
Many people describe the need for a quiet space to retreat, a room, a corner, or a pause, where they can be alone and feel at ease.
The cards highlight how green spaces offer a sense of freedom, grounding, and a sense of belonging that extends beyond the home.
In the research, we can learn that the labels and categorisations of groups of people we use to solve a diverse palette of problems often create more division in our society, reinforcing stereotypes and resulting in missing opportunities for integration. Rather than designing solutions tailored to specific groups, such as people seeking safety, we should focus on universal needs that apply to all. At the core, our fundamental needs are remarkably similar, as we are all human and searching for a feeling of home, as I researched together with Kim van Balken in The Urban Language of Belonging (2020).
By focusing on the essential need of feeling at home, we create spaces that are deployable for multiple groups, making the design more flexible in the future. At the base, this is mainly about good urban design. “The Spectrum of Home” is a framework that guides the design and planning of a home. It is not about designing with specific groups in mind, but with universal human needs, where every unique person can find their way. The spectrum focuses on creating spaces where we all feel a sense of belonging and thrive. This is important for mutual integration and participation.
The spectrum outlines three essential layers: Foundation, Purpose, and Connection. Each layer represents conditions you can design, not just a house, but a home. The layers help you create the right conditions so the desired activities happen. The foundation layer focuses on physical appearance; the purpose layers focus on the program and the connection to the social aspect. This approach is rooted in the belief that by focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us, we can create functional, meaningful, human-centred housing and be adaptable to future changes. The layers will have a lot of overlap, and only by focusing on all three layers, you will be able to facilitate the feeling of home. This is why it is a spectrum of home based on the colour wheel.
The key question: How do we arrange a stable and functional living environment?
The “Foundation” layer contains our urban fabric’s physical and spatial conditions, creating a sense of home. It forms the “hardware” of feeling at home, providing the essential structure within which people can establish stability. This layer ensures that individuals can access adequate housing, safety, privacy, and basic amenities. It also emphasises the adaptability of urban environments to shifting societal needs. The spatial structure layer embraces this principle, ensuring that the built environment remains resilient and responsive over time.
1. Urban structure
A well-functioning urban structure provides a structure that improves daily life. Well-functioning urban structures contain a framework to easily get from A to B and offer the possibility to be independent. This framework must have clear spatial guidelines and adaptable infrastructures for new developments to ensure that the built environment can respond to demographic and societal changes. Urhahn’s Spontane Stad (2010) describes how structured frameworks can allow for organic growth while maintaining coherence. Key elements are the conditions that you provide for others to take initiative. The conditions are, for example, the types of buildings you offer, the infrastructure you provide and defined public and private spaces. A balanced urban structure ensures that various lifestyles and needs can be accommodated.
2. Using what is already there
The layer is also essential for the place’s identity. Think of a district in a city that you can describe by the type of buildings, infrastructure, and public space. A sustainable foundation does not always require new construction. Reusing and repurposing existing buildings, vacant plots, and underutilised infrastructure can provide efficient, context-sensitive solutions and preserve identity. This strategy includes transforming office buildings into residential spaces and densifying existing neighbourhoods. Utilising what is already in the urban fabric conserves resources and strengthens local identity.
3. Appropriate typology
A well-designed housing system must respond to both present and future needs. According to UNHCR (United Nations, n.d.)), shelter should protect people from the elements and provide safety, dignity, and privacy. How housing is designed and distributed is crucial in providing shelter and a sense of home. A significant challenge lies in the mismatch between available (affordable) housing stock and evolving demographic patterns. The rise of singleperson households, fluctuating asylum-seeker populations, and changing family structures creates a growing demand
for smaller, adaptable housing units. In the future, the demographic composition can change again, resulting in a need for an adaptable typology. This applies not only to homes but also to commercial and office spaces. This means we should design a “flexible skeleton” of typologies where changes can be made to adapt to demographic and economic changes over time.
A stable home environment must offer physical security and personal privacy. Spatial design plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of safety, both in the home and the surrounding neighbourhood. This asks for design skills at eye level, focusing on how you experience a space. Strategies such as clear sightlines, semi-public transition zones, active street frontages and human-scale buildings contribute to a secure environment. Ensuring personal space within collective housing settings and defining clear thresholds between private and public areas helps individuals establish a sense of autonomy and dignity.
5. Proximity to essential amenities
Access to daily necessities is crucial for self-reliance. Essential amenities such as supermarkets, doctors, and pharmacies (in the Netherlands, we use the term triple AAA: arts, apotheek, Aldi or Albert Heijn, mainly for elderly people) should be within 500m; it must be within cycling or walking distance as well. Proximity also provides access to opportunities, as discussed by The Just City (Franke & Veldhuis, 2018). The “15-minute city” concept further emphasises the benefits of compact urban planning, where key services are within reach without car dependency. Well-planned proximity enhances not only convenience but also social equity and sustainability.
6. Flexibility
To be able to react to changes in time, urban environments should be capable of adaptation. This means buildings that evolve and plots that can accommodate new structures in the future. Flexibility is about creating space for change or adaptability.
Key question: How do we facilitate meaningful activity and personal growth?
The purpose layer focuses on programming at different scales, from the building to the neighbourhood, and from the city to the region. The right programming and its distribution in the environment can create opportunities for individuals to engage in meaningful activities that contribute to their personal growth and sense of belonging. This includes access to education, work, and entrepreneurship. This layer enables people to actively participate in and contribute to broader society by fostering a sense of purpose. While the spatial structure layer ensures physical stability, the purpose layer provides a platform for personal growth and self-reliance.
1. Distribution of the program
A well-balanced distribution of spaces dedicated to learning, working, and creating is essential for fostering purpose. Clustering educational institutions, workspaces, and entrepreneurial hubs in accessible locations strengthens opportunities for engagement. Purposeful spaces should be within walking distance of housing or easily reachable via public transport, ensuring inclusivity. Mixed-use developments that integrate work and learning facilities within residential areas can further enhance accessibility and reduce spatial barriers to participation.
2. Education
Education is a cornerstone of purpose. Providing access to formal and informal learning opportunities helps individuals gain the skills needed to improve their circumstances and contribute meaningfully to society. Schools, libraries, and training centres should be integrated into communities to facilitate easy access. Spatially, these facilities should be welcoming, adaptable, and well-connected to public spaces, ensuring they function as vibrant hubs for learning and social exchange.
3. Employment and Entrepreneurship
Providing multifunctional spaces that adapt to various needs throughout the day promotes inclusion and opportunity. Community workshops, maker spaces, and incubators serve as platforms for skill development, creative expression, and professional growth. These spaces should be easily accessible, flexible, and integrated into the urban fabric to ensure they remain relevant to diverse users over time.
4. Flexible and shared spaces
Providing multifunctional spaces that adapt to various needs throughout the day promotes inclusion and opportunity. Community workshops, maker spaces, and incubators serve as platforms for skill development, creative expression, and professional growth. These spaces should be easily accessible, flexible, and integrated into the urban fabric to ensure they remain relevant to a diverse range of users over time.
Key question: How do we stimulate social interaction and community building?
The Connection Layer focuses on how people interact with one another in shared spaces and how social networks develop. It is a dynamic layer that evolves through user experiences, daily interactions, and the spatial conditions that facilitate them. A well-designed environment can encourage spontaneous encounters, foster a sense of belonging, and help break social isolation by bringing people together. By designing for social interaction, we create inclusive, vibrant neighbourhoods where diverse communities can thrive.
A strong social fabric is built on both planned and unplanned connections. This requires careful consideration of transitions between private and public spaces, the presence of meeting areas, and a variety of pathways that naturally invite engagement. The design should accommodate both structured activities, such as sports clubs and cultural events, and informal interactions that occur in everyday life.
1. Soft edges (Transition private and public)
The threshold between private and public space is crucial in fostering social interaction. Soft edges, such as front gardens, stoops, and semi-public courtyards, provide a gradient between the home and the street. These spaces create opportunities for casual encounters between neighbours, encouraging familiarity and a sense of shared responsibility. By designing gradual transitions rather than abrupt separations, we create welcoming spaces and encourage social participation.
2. Meeting spaces in public space
Public spaces act as the social heart of a community. Well-designed meeting spaces, such as parks, plazas, and market squares, serve as accessible points where people of different backgrounds can naturally cross paths. The key is to ensure these spaces are inviting and multifunctional, offering seating, greenery, and flexible layouts that encourage lingering and interaction. A well-placed bench or shaded area can turn a simple passageway into a lively space.
3. Programmed meeting spaces
While informal gathering spaces are essential, programmed meeting spaces provide structured opportunities for social interaction. Sports fields, playgrounds, neighbourhood centres, and community kitchens actively unite people around shared activities. By integrating spaces for sports, culture, and learning, we create focal points that promote engagement across different generations and social groups. These spaces are particularly valuable for newcomers, helping them build connections and community integration.
4. Appealing routing
The way people move through a neighbourhood influences their likelihood of social interaction. Appealing, wellconnected routes encourage walking and cycling, creating more opportunities for spontaneous encounters. Streets designed with human-scale elements, such as active frontages, small squares, and inviting sidewalks, promote engagement rather than isolation. When routes are designed to connect key community spaces, they naturally lead people towards places of interaction rather than just serving as functional passageways.
5. Diversity in types of spaces
Social connections flourish in environments that offer a variety of spaces suited to different types of interactions. Some people prefer lively, active environments, while others seek quieter spaces for one-on-one conversations. By designing a mix of small, intimate corners, larger communal areas, and adaptable multi-use spaces, we accommodate diverse social needs. The key is to provide choice: spaces for play, work, relaxation, and celebration, ensuring there is a place for everyone to connect in their way. By embedding these spatial principles into the built environment, we create cities and neighbourhoods that are not just places to live but where people truly are part of a community.
The layers provide guidelines for working towards a place that makes you feel at home and allows you to thrive. In my design proposals, I will show possible implementations of these layers. I will describe the two locations side by side to highlight their differences and similarities. Starting with their current situation and existing plans, followed by my proposals on what should be added or changed to work towards creating a home. I will explain the frameworks for both locations according to the layer approach and conclude with the experiences at eye level.
Looking from the perspective of the foundation layer, Maasdijk and Binckhorst are two opposite examples of each other. Single-house dwellings surrounded by companies dominate Maasdijk. While in Binckhorst, companies are surrounded by residential neighbourhoods. Both Maasdijk and Binckhorst are car-oriented, causing isolation for other types of transport like walking and cycling, resulting in missing links with the different layers. In Binckhorst, it is even so that although the neighbourhood is in the middle of the city, it feels like an island bordered by the highway, train tracks, waterways and other major roads.
Purpose-wise, both locations offer a significant number of jobs. Maasdijk focuses on greenhouses and related companies, giving it a strong identity. Binckhorst itself hosts various types of industries and is close to the centre of The Hague, which provides a diverse range of job opportunities. While Maasdijk has its primary schools, high schools, university, other types of education are far away and not easy to access by bike or public transport. On the other side, Binckhorst has a lot of educational opportunities to offer within the city dynamics
Maasdijk, a village with only 4,500 residents and a relatively high proportion of elderly residents, is shaped by its people. Connection is found on the street near the supermarket or through one of the many sports, music, or other social clubs. Binckhorst has strong business associations, and currently has only 2,075 inhabitants. These numbers are rising quickly due to significant developments, sometimes hundreds of new houses at a time. At the same time, public space and daily amenities are missing, which causes a lack of social cohesion.
Both municipalities see improvements and have development plans. Maasdijk acknowledges the monotonous housing stock and aims to create a more diverse housing supply. Binckhorst wants to continue large-scale housing developments and create a new mixed urban neighbourhood. With these developments, they also aim to preserve working spaces for (high-end) creative industries, creating an identity shift. Existing companies are worried about whether they can stay in the future, if it will become too expensive, if they do not meet the sound requirements, or if it is too dangerous to drive the heavy vehicles. Maasdijk fights to keep its identity and wants to improve the position of companies by offering more space to extend or start a new business. Both see the need for more qualitative green public space and aim to extend recreational parts. Maasdijk, by using the dike as a green corridor. Binckhorst by creating a linear waterfront park to meet and move.
Focus on a creative economic profile (Purpose)
A more diverse housing supply (Foundation)
Providing space for companies to expand (Purpose)
A new urban fabric with a strong identity (Foundation)
Waterfrontpark (Connection)
The vision map provides a broader view of what thinking from “The Spectrum of Home” can achieve. Zooming out reveals its relationship with the region. Afterwards, I will zoom in on the most critical interventions according to the framework, layer by layer.
According to “The Spectrum of Home”, we want to implement more than what is currently there and in the development plans. However, Maasdijk and Binckhorst are two locations with their own dynamics in terms of residents, housing stock, economic profile, etc. Following the layers Foundation, Purpose, and Connection in both cases, three major areas can be improved. First is the connection with surrounding neighbourhoods and villages; second is making education and work more integrated into daily life; and third is creating a space where people want to stay to meet each other and have a coffee. Those places should not be on their own but should be connected by a strong urban structure.
A new bus stop along the regional line will connect Maasdijk with key urban centres such as Rotterdam, The Hague, and the rest of Westland. This access is essential for newcomers who need to travel to appointments with the COA or IND. Still, it also supports elderly residents, students commuting to secondary schools or universities, and workers who rely on public transportation. It is a vital part of the foundation layer, ensuring that residents are not isolated but connected to opportunities, services, and networks across the region.
In Maasdijk itself, the proposal includes a local route that connects the neighbourhood from within. This route links the bus stop to the village centre and other key public spaces, such as schools, shops, play areas, and green spaces. It functions as the backbone of daily movement.
Binckhorst’s proposal introduces a continuous cycling and pedestrian route that transforms physical fragmentation into a cohesive whole. It establishes a clear diagonal axis from west to east, serving not only as infrastructure but also as a spatial and social connector. The route, as in Maasdijk, acts as the backbone that links key programmatic points within Binckhorst and, more importantly, connects to the surrounding neighbourhoods and train stations, making it not an isolated island but part of the city.
To make work and education more integrated into the daily life of residents of Maasdijk, the proposal aims to create “The Heart of Purpose”. This is a location focusing on a more transparent place where employees, students and other residents can work, study and meet. This will be located along the route at the intersection with the bus stop to have a connection with the “outside” world. It will be a vibrant location, featuring a bus stop, residential housing, communal spaces for connection, work areas, and leisure facilities. This spot is also crucial for the asylum seekers to have the same benefits as the others that use the spot (learning, work opportunities and meeting with others).
In Binckhorst, the aim is also to create places where existing companies can stay. These are companies where asylum seekers can also work and find a sense of purpose and routine in daily life while they wait for their application to be approved. The goal is to create a mixed urban area with all kinds of jobs available and also offer communal workspaces. This will not only be beneficial for the new residents, including asylum seekers, but also for residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods. With an explosive growth of residents, new amenities should be added; that is why there will also be a location that offers education to the youngest residents
Both locations lack a space for recreation where people can Both locations lack a space for recreation where people can connect with others. In Maasdijk, there are opportunities to transform the village centre into a community hub again. With this new route, their possibilities include developing a park for every age group with a petting zoo and sports facilities. Residents can use this, as well as employees of the surrounding companies.
With the Binckhorst becoming a new mixed urban neighbourhood, recreational space is a must, especially with a housing supply mainly consisting of apartments. That is why in the heart connected to the route, Bickpark should be made. A park facilitates various activities, such as sports, dance, culture, and various events, stimulating connections between users. This park, on the location of the old concrete factory, offers unique characteristics.
Both maps arre on the same scale
Legend - Vision Maasdijk
A new bus line connecting Maasdijk with The Hague and Rotterdam Maasdijk will be a satellite location for the asylum reception center
Housing development
The local route
Secondary routes
Village square: place of connection
Heart of purpose: site location
The green loop over the dike (new) green areas
Open landscape
Petting zoo
Legend - Vision Binckhorst
Housing development
Main cycling and pedestrian route
Secondary routes
Urban city park (new) green areas
“Special” work locations
“Super” urban street
Busline from Maasdijk to The Hague Central station
Focus location design
Translating the layers of the Spectrum of Home into spatial design creates a framework that shows how permanent shelter can be anchored in smaller villages. This framework makes it possible to strengthen existing spaces and add missing ones, ensuring that daily life, work, and encounters are better supported. In Maasdijk, the village centre shifts from being a place of transit into a setting where communities can take root. Meanwhile, the new neighbourhood at Honderdland provides what is currently lacking: a mix of housing, opportunities for entrepreneurship, and with the Maasweide, a green space for relaxation and encounter.
In Maasdijk, the foundation layer focuses on strengthening the everyday structure of the village. A distinct main route, with functions placed along it, ensures safe and attractive connections through the town. The route connects important areas and makes it possible to extend the village with new housing and programs. By adding a diverse mix of new housing, including reception and housing for asylum seekers, the residential fabric becomes more varied and inclusive. The centre is one of the areas and provides essential amenities such as a supermarket, pharmacy, and GP, with the church as a characteristic focal point. The new developments offer an opportunity to reconfigure parking and establish the square as a space oriented to pedestrians. On the other side of the dike there is an extension of the village that creates space for companies, housing and qualitative green spaces. This is also the place where a new regional bus stop strengthens the connection with the region and makes it possible for Maasdijk to be a satellite location for the reception of asylum seekers.
The route connects two focal points. The current village centre, the heart of the community, and the bus stop are located in the new neighbourhood, which is missing a recreational public space, such as Maasweide.
Building on the foundation, the purpose layer introduces opportunities for learning, work, and initiative. A neighbourhood living room offers space for workshops and gatherings, while small work units provide local entrepreneurs with room to grow. A cluster of education and workplaces further strengthens the link between learning and employment, supported by the regional bus line that connects Maasdijk to wider networks of opportunity. At the heart of this layer stands a multifunctional pavilion. Combining a café, library, offices, flexible rental spaces—for example, for employment agencies that also support asylum seekers— and an event space, it creates a place where professional development and social purpose are interwoven. By connecting these facilities with surrounding companies, Maasdijk becomes a setting where residents and newcomers alike can pursue meaningful goals.
The connection layer focuses on everyday encounters and shared spaces. A secondary network of walking paths weaves through the village, linking daily destinations and inviting spontaneous meetings. The church and the ground floor of the asylum reception transformed into a “buurtkamer” become an anchor for interaction. Public space is reimagined with a car-free square that can host markets while offering greenery and benches, complemented by communal gardens in new developments. Along the main route, resting points encourage people to stop, see, and be seen. A range of shared facilities strengthens this social fabric: a pavilion with a café and nature playground, a resident-led pavilion for flexible uses such as a sewing room or music class, and outdoor amenities like a petting zoo and sports fields. Together, these elements create an environment where everyday life naturally fosters connection across different groups.
Secondary network of paths to stimulate walking
Reception location for asylum seekers
Densification of apartments for a more diverse housing block
Lighting along the route
Functions along the route
Church as a characteristic focal point
Daily amenities in the centre: supermarket, pharmacy and GP
Connecting route with own identity (focus group: pedestrians and cyclists)
Safe crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists.
Neighbourhood living room with space to host workshops
Small work units to offer opportunities for entrepreneurs
A new tunnel to make the connection
Bus stop and regional bus line
New development: housing mix (expanding urban fabric)
Reception location for asylum seekers
Regional bus line to connect education and job opportunities
Secondary network of paths aimed at pedestrians to stimulate spontaneous encounters
Groundfloor used as the “buurtkamer”connecting to the asylum seeker housing
Communal gardens in new developments
Aclusterwith education
and
A pavilion that provides:
• Café
• Library (relocating the one at Cornelis Houtmanplein)
• Permanent offices
• Flexible offices that can be rent for a day,(e.g. employment agencies that help asylum seekers)
• Event space
The main route has space to stop, and others can still cross + benches
Pavilion with a nature playground and café
Communal gardens in new developments
Connection with companies in the surroundings
An extra pavilion where the program can be filled in by residents (sewing room, a small gym, music class, etc.)
Outdoor sport facility and Pumptrack
Church with a communal garden
Car-free square (moved to a nearby parking garage)
Markets will still be hosted, but there is now also greenery and benches present on the square
The plan provides accommodation for 68 asylum seekers and adds 215 new homes, of which up to 40% (86 units) can be allocated to status holders. In addition, 2,800 m² of new workspace is created
Binckhorst, once an industrial enclave of The Hague, is now in transition towards a dense, mixed urban district. By applying the three layers of foundation, purpose, and connection, Binckhorst is reimagined as an inclusive part of the city: a place with strong urban structure, meaningful opportunities, and spaces that foster interaction across diverse groups. The three central interventions to create a home are the main route, a new housing development and the city park. Together, these interventions show how Binckhorst can evolve from an industrial enclave into a vibrant, inclusive neighbourhood where structure, opportunity, and connection reinforce one another.
In Binckhorst, the foundation layer focuses on overcoming barriers and establishing a coherent urban structure. A main route connects surrounding stations and neighbourhoods, supported by a bridge over the highway and railway and with a new building block that incorporates the bridge’s slope. Mixed-use blocks combine workplaces, housing, and accommodation for asylum seekers. The blocks are situated on elevated ground floors, providing space for parking and makerspaces in the plint below. Daily amenities such as a GP, pharmacy, and supermarket are grouped around neighbourhood squares with a more intimate atmosphere. Green structures play a central role: the cemetery is expanded into a park-like oasis with new entrances and paths, complemented by an urban park that serves both Binckhorst and the wider city. By retaining elements of the old factory structures, the district preserves its identity while establishing a solid foundation for a diverse community, including asylum seekers.
In the design, different spaces are defined through scale and types of interaction. Hac Park will be a city park with faster urban dynamics, together with the main route. The cemetery is the opposite and complements the heart of Binckhorst with the green and peaceful space. The building block will function as a neighbourhood itself; to enter the homes, you will go into the courtyards away from the rush.
In Binckhorst, the purpose layer is shaped by a network of routes that connect residents not only to the broader city and train stations but also to opportunities for work and education both locally and beyond. Within the district, a mix of offices, ateliers, workspaces, and a library, combined with startup facilities, encourages entrepreneurship and innovation. Makerspaces under the new housing blocks help retain existing companies. Buildings are oriented towards public space, ensuring active and accessible streets. A primary school located in the new building block supports new families. A communal centre run by asylum seekers provides training, classes, and workshops for the wider community, fostering shared growth. Hac Park offers space for a market, adding to the diversity of opportunities that together give Binckhorst its sense of purpose.
The connection layer in Binckhorst aims to create spaces where everyday encounters can happen naturally. The plan includes various types of public spaces, ranging from private houses to shared city spaces. Wide galleries alongside buildings provide areas for informal conversations, followed by semi-public courtyards that accommodate smaller communities. In the new building block, neighbourhood squares serve as focal points for local interactions. The city park provides a larger green space for shared recreation on city level, complemented by playgrounds and public sports facilities that encourage activity and connection. Community centres within asylum reception areas further strengthen bonds by offering shared spaces for residents and newcomers alike.
Daily amenities located on the neighbourhood squares (pharmacy, GP)
Local identity is maintained by upholding the structure of the old factory
Secondary network of paths to stimulate walking
Bridges to create a finer grid of paths
By expanding the cemetery and removing barriers, the area transforms into an accessible green park
A bridge over the water to reduce the barrier effect
The main route that connects various destinations (stations and neighbourhoods)
An urban park that serves the entire city
Asylum reception location
A secondary ground level to create the slope op the bridge
A bridge over the highway and train tracks to reduce the barrier effect
New urban blocks with housing and employment opportunities
Urban blocks are lifted to create space for makerspaces and parking
Makerspace under the new neighbourhood to keep as many of the existing companies as possible
A mixed-use area with offices in all sizes, ateliers, workspaces, etc.
The route that connects to work and education opportunities
Communal centre run by asylum seekers, and used by the community
The library, combined with workspaces for start-up entrepreneurs
Buildings are well connected to the public space since they’re orientated towards the street
Primary school for families that find a home in Binckhorst
Public sports facilities
Playground
secondary network for pedestrians
Two permanent pavilions, used for rental sport attributes and a small kiosk
Semi-public courtyards
Community centres in asylum reception centres
Neighbourhood square
Sportclub
Skate area as a point for connection, a well-known sport all over the world
The plan provides accommodation for 600 asylum seekers and adds 1.605 new homes, of which up to 40% (642 units) can be allocated to status holders. In addition, 11.750 m² of new workspace is created
Section of the new building block (1:500)
At eye level, Binckhorst reveals itself as a district of contrasts and transitions. The journey begins at Columbus Park, a green neighbourhood park that welcomes you and leads onto the bridge. From here, the path guides you over the vast infrastructure. Standing on the bridge, you can watch the traffice bellow, but the careful design of the crossing makes the experience more than functional: wide paths, greenery, and clear views guide you towards the neighbourhood.
At the end of the bridge, still at height, you enter Binkhorst. The mixed use of the place makes it interesting. On the left and right, you see openings to courtyards. Entering the courtyards, the scale shifts. These semi-public spaces create a sense of shelter and intimacy, where façades with active ground floors and soft edges (gardens, stoops, and seating) and the wide galleries, little streets in the sky, mediate the step between private and public life. Here, residents can pause, meet a neighbour, or retreat from the city’s bustle.
If you continue the main route, you will cross the neighbourhood square, which offers a more open, collective atmosphere. Framed by buildings that face the street, it is animated by local shops, a school, and everyday amenities. Children play in the square, and its generous dimensions allow for gatherings or simply sitting at a bench to watch daily life unfold. There are two squares like this, Noorderkroonplein and Zuiderkroonplein, both above ground level and are blessed with a view over the green cemetery and the new square called Binckhout or over the city park.
From here, movement flows naturally towards the city park. With a skate court, open lawns, and shaded corners, the park provides freedom: a place where people can choose their own rhythms, from sport to picnics or quiet relaxation. The industrial structures that remain here add character and identity, anchoring the new with the memory of the old.The pavilion rents out skates, bikes and other sports attributes, or if you need a rest or something to drink, the pavilion is a nice anchor point in the park.
The route doesn’t stop at Binckhorst. If you leave Hac park and cross the Rotterdamsebaan, you will find yourself at the Trekvliet, where a bridge will connect you with the city district Laak. Together, these spaces define Binckhorst through scale and interaction. HAC Park and the main route carry the faster urban dynamics of the city, while the cemetery offers the opposite, a peaceful, green counterpoint. The building blocks with the public squares and courtyards act as neighbourhoods in themselves, buffering the private homes from the urban rush. In this way, the eye-level experience shifts continuously: from movement to pause, from collective to quiet retreat, and from the hard edges of industry to the softness of greenery. Binckhorst becomes not just a place to pass through, but one to inhabit fully.
Besides establishing effective permanent reception, it is vital that our country can respond to unexpected influxes of people seeking safety. Therefore, we should develop locations that can serve as good public spaces and, in times of need, also as “emergency shelters” while still aligning with the principles of “The Spectrum of Home” framework. Although flexibility is part of the Foundation layer, it warrants extra attention to adapt it to our urban planning.
Although flexibility is already more integrated into architecture, history shows us that sometimes you need to react within a matter of days. Using buildings that can serve different purposes may not allow such a rapid response, and employing this system could displace other people or businesses. This often causes resistance and leads to complex, costly, and time-consuming solutions. To respond quickly to an influx, you need flexibility within the urban framework while maintaining the qualities of the urban fabric.
For a structured approach to improving emergency accommodation in urban planning, we can learn from biennales like the Floriade in the Netherlands, temporary housing such as Startblok Riekershaven and the Ukrainian housing next to IKEA in Haarlem, as well as alternative creative incubators like the Ceuvel in Amsterdam. From these references, we can derive five crucial lessons to develop spaces that can quickly respond to an increasing need for shelter.
1. A location within (walking distance of) a residential area
2. Create a landscape as a framework for development.
3. Establish the basic (underground) infrastructure in advance
4. Position permanent strategic elements in the temporary area.
5. Design for various phases in time
1. A location within walking distance of a residential area
3.Establish the basic (underground) infrastructure in advance
2. Creating a landscape as a framework for development.
4. Position permanent strategic elements in the temporary area.
5. Design for various phases in time
The parks in Maadijk and Binckhorst are designed to adapt to emergency housing for asylum seekers when needed. The need for bigger public spaces in our urban environment is growing. More and more studies show the importance of green public space to our mental and physical health (Staatscommissie Demografische Ontwikkelingen 2050, 2024). But these spaces can also temporarily function as a backup for an unexpected influx of asylum seekers, while the park’s main functions stay intact. In the designs for both locations, I used the same ingredients to demonstrate their adaptability across different locations and show that “Temporality” is used for the permanent quality of everyone.
The design is based on the size of containers; however, it does not have the feeling of a container, but a home. The size allows the units to be movable throughout the country. The material used is warm-looking, easy to maintain, and sturdy, so it keeps its quality over time. There are different types of buildings: a cluster of studios and shared kitchens, and a cluster of shared households. This is done to be flexible and to facilitate various kinds of people, from families to single households.
Both locations are implemented in daily urban life. The emergency location of Maasdijk is on the new important backbone/route, and makes the essential amenities within 10 minutes walking or 2-3 minutes cycling. The shelter in Binckhorst will be arranged in the urban park in the middle of the new developments, also located on the new main route crossing the neighbourhood.
The landscape framework Families inspire the park of Maasdijk, where the elements of play and rest are essential. It is a park we see often in more family-oriented locations like the Wandelpark in Badhoevedorp or the Park de Hoge Weide in Leidsche Rijn, Utrecht. The faster urban dynamics of cities, the diverse groups of residents, and the characteristic elements of the old cement factory inspire Binckhorst Park. The Urban Sport Zone in Zeeburg, Amsterdam or Parkspoor Noord in Antwerp are good examples to take inspiration from.
The infrastructure is vital for responding to the need for emergency shelter quickly. A well-divided network of paths allows the trucks to load the units or other machinery to enter the park without damaging it. The routes for trucks are made with the correct curve radius so they can easily navigate through the park. Under this network, electricity and water are already established, so in times of need, the units can be easily set up and connected to utilities. It is a costly intervention, but in the long term, it will save a lot of money.
Position permanent structure
The adaptive park of Maasdijk is characterised by the pavilion where work, education and recreation meet, the petting zoo, the pavilion for music glasses or other events and the sports area. With a lack of good green public space for all ages in Maasdijk now, this new park will become a highly valued location for the residents. Together with the pavilion that the residents can program, this can be seen as a permanent structures that function as a place-making in times without emergency shelter. The same goes for Binckhorst, the functions in the park and the pavilions stay intact. The pavilions can also be transformed into small supermarkets or information points for the asylum seekers.
Design for various phases in time
The parks are designed with three phases in mind: the use without emergency shelter, with and the building and demolition phases. The buildings with emergency shelter are also positioned in a way that you do not have to build everything at once; you can react to the amount of shelter that is needed. In total, Maasdijk can house 575 people and Binkhorst 950 people.
Position emergency housing
Just like in the urban design of Binckhorst, there are steps in a type of interaction. The city and the village still use the parks as a place for public dynamics. The buildings are positioned so that there is a courtyard for the residents of the temporary shelter, and foster more semi-public. The wide galleries that are also a must in the temporary shelter foster the connection on building skills before you enter your shared living room (no more than four people) or private bedroom.
Main route
Sport elements
Playing elements
Trees (strategically planted so that they do not have to be cut down)
Special element (petting zoo or waterfront)
Truck route
Loading point housing units
Curves suitable for trucks
Sewerage and energy trace
Connection with trace
Permanent (historical) structures
Community focal points, a place to meet or rent goods for activities in the park
Clusters of building
Phase
Heart of building cluster
Permanent connection points
Wide gallery (designed for social interaction)
Shared living room per housing unit
Private sleeping unit
Combined shower and toilet
Orientation of communal space
Section of the city park with emergency shelter (1:500)
This research shows that designing homes rather than temporary shelters benefits both asylum seekers and society as a whole. Reception should no longer be treated as a temporary inconvenience but a permanent opportunity.
It is important to distinguish between the two types of reception. First, there is a regular reception, the type we need to provide anyway for asylum seekers. This should be embedded in urban developments from the start, ensuring access to housing, education, work opportunities, and community amenities. Asylum reception can strengthen urban developments. Because newcomers need spaces to learn, meet, and create, such as workshops, shared kitchens, and classrooms, these amenities can be embedded from the start. In “normal” projects, they often fail to realise it due to cost or lack of critical mass. Here, they are essential and, once in place, also benefit “local” residents by fostering community and connection.
Second, there is an emergency reception, which addresses the unpredictable nature of the world we live in. Influxes of people, caused by conflict, environmental disaster, or other crises, cannot be fully predicted. Here lies the most significant potential for social and economic gain. Qualitatively, public space is challenging to realise under current housing pressure, yet they are vital for physical and mental wellbeing. By designing them with flexibility, they can serve a dual purpose: in everyday life, they provide high-quality leisure space, and in times of need, they can temporarily host an emergency shelter. This is not only more humane but also far more cost-efficient. Today, emergency shelter depends on hotels, recreational parks, or boats that charge exorbitant rates; for example, the Galaxy boat in Amsterdam costs €110,000 per day, while offering poor living conditions. Preparing spaces in advance would save millions in the long term. These prepared spaces provide humane living conditions at a fraction of the cost, while 80–90% of the time functioning as high-quality public amenities for all residents.
Good qualitative public space is central to both types of reception. Parks, squares, and courtyards provide everyday benefits for physical and mental well-being. Embedding these functions from the start ensures predictability, reduces social tension, and allows municipalities to act proactively rather than reactively. It also supports integration, as asylum seekers are part of the urban fabric from day one, able to participate in education, work, and community life.
By distinguishing between regular and emergency reception, and designing spaces to accommodate both, we can create resilient, inclusive neighbourhoods that serve all residents. This approach not only saves millions but also adds quality, dignity, and long-term stability to our cities and villages. Emergency reception, in particular, offers the most significant gain: preparedness turns uncertainty into opportunity, ensuring that communities remain strong even in an unstable world.
Goede dagen,
Good days in my mind
Thuis aan het voelen
Porque no hay lugar como el hogar
En dit is het, de plek waar ik ben
Niet de plek waar ik vandaan komt
This is home, dit is mi casa
Wat els kan ik vragen?
Ik heb vrede en ik heb rechten
En ik heb alles wat ik gisteren droomde.
Onder de regenbui
Leef een regenboog
Bloem een bloemetje
En lach een kindje
Het kindje ben ik
Een vlinder die vliegt
Een dreamer die droomt.
Writen by: Andres (Vlinder)
power of design
My graduation project has confirmed for me the true power of design. As urban designers, we can make alternative futures visible. These futures are not only about form or appearance, but go much deeper. We can translate complex challenges from multiple disciplines into spatial solutions that are tangible and understandable. In daily practice, this power is often underestimated: we tend to follow the assignments we are given, and, caught up in the rush of everyday work, we continue to do what is familiar. I want to challenge this by seeking out new possibilities, even within ordinary practice.
At the same time, my research showed that 90% of real change depends on systemic transformation. We already know how to approach spatial solutions for permanent shelter, but these outcomes often do not materialise because our (political) systems remain unchanged. This raises a vital question: should designers adopt a more political role to make these new futures possible, or would that jeopardise our independence as thinkers?
How it shaped me as a designer
Beyond Shelter emerged from my desire to work on just and inclusive spaces and to use my skills for those who currently need them most. This experience has shaped me into a designer more deeply committed to social challenges that require a spatial dimension. For me, this is not tied to a single scale or location – all dimensions are connected. Decisions made at higher levels influence what happens locally, and vice versa.
This project was also a personal journey through my own norms and values. I caught myself thinking in prejudices that turned out not to be true, or reacting defensively despite all my knowledge. For instance, when I received a letter that young asylum seekers would be housed in my street, my first thought was: why here? Yet I quickly realised how important it was that they were welcomed. I became aware of how easily we fall back into protective reflexes – as the Dutch saying goes, wat de boer niet kent, dat eet hij niet (“what the farmer doesn’t know, he doesn’t eat”). The same mechanism applies to unfamiliar situations whose outcomes we cannot yet predict. But that should not hold us back.
call to action
My call to designers, governments, developers and residents is to take action. Step away from fear and leave your comfort zone. Embrace the unknown, it can open up worlds we have yet to imagine.
I could not have made this journey on my own. This project was only possible thanks to the people who supported and inspired me along the way.
First and foremost, I would like to thank my committee for their sharp feedback, critical questions, and inspiring conversations. Your guidance challenged me to push my ideas further and shaped this project into what it has become.
I am deeply grateful to my friends and family, who have supported me not only during this graduation process but throughout the past five years. You created a true sense of home for me through your patience, encouragement, and unconditional love.
I also want to thank my group from Wake Up Your Mind at VluchtelingenWerk Nederland. Every Wednesday, we came together to share stories and ideas, and together we created a cookbook, “A Taste of Home”, and organised a successful event, where the workshop “When do you feel at home?” took place. Your openness and creativity have been an ongoing source of inspiration for me.
Special thanks go to Luis for the endless conversations about the topic, the encouragement to keep going when things became difficult, and the help with maquettes that I could not have made without you.
And finally, a heartfelt thank you to Andres, for allowing me to use his poems and for showing such a vulnerable side of his life in this moment. Your words have added depth and honesty to this project.
To all of you – thank you for being part of this journey.
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By Josje Staal August 2025