Placemaking Week

Sign-up links for all off-sites will be sent by email to conference registrants only in late September. Advanced registration required. Capacity: 40.

This daylong trip to Haarlem explores how a playful reuse of a shopping mall can transform it into a center for entrepreneurship and community.

The city of Haarlem is commonly known as the home of the first printed book and the world's oldest newspaper still in print. Now, more than 500 years later, Haarlem is an important town in the metropolitan area of Amsterdam. It is currently experiencing a development boom, as a result of its easy access to the National Capital, The Hague, and the coast. Much of the current growth was kickstarted by place-led developments, like Winkelcentrum Schalkwijk shopping center, and the reuse of the city's old jail, "The Koepel," as a university.

In both cases mentioned, private industry, developers and entrepreneurs joined forces with communities in the placemaking process. They co-financed the lighter, quicker, cheaper actions, such as the now immensely popular DAK (roof) and OnderDAK (under the roof) in the shopping mall. Tour participants will meet all players in the placemaking tale of the New Haarlem Community, from liveable to loveable. While this is an exemplar of place-led development, however, the area is still seeking input about planned residential developments near the mall.

Lunch and transportation will be provided.