In the 1970s, the residents clashed with the Rotterdam city authorities. They demanded immediate improvements to their neighbourhoods and homes. Residents, young architects, students and progressive politicians joined forces in a campaign made memorable by a string of playful events. All this paved the way for an unprecedented period in the history of Rotterdam: urban renewal.

Back in 1970, the city was buzzing with activity, with Feyenoord’s triumph in the European Cup, the big C70 event, and the Holland Pop Festival in Kralingse Bos. During C70, visitors could take a cable car over the new pavilions on Coolsingel and Weena, where a huge model of the port of Rotterdam was on show. The city wanted to convey hospitality, conviviality and optimism. However, discontent was rising in the old neighbourhoods around the city centre owing to poor living conditions, and there was opposition to the ‘grandiose’ plans of the city authorities.

Constructed rapidly, the existing dwellings in the older districts were technically unsound, lacking adequate sanitary facilities and, in many cases, even showers. Numerous households shared a single entrance. Maintenance by the mostly private owners was mini-mal. The urban design was also bleak: endless straight streets, cramped courtyards, few areas of greenery. Light, air and space – the credo of modern architects – were lacking. 

According to the Redevelopment Report of 1969, large parts of districts such as the Oude Noorden, Crooswijk and Oude Westen had to be bulldozed. Residents from these districts rose up in protest against poor living conditions and plans for extensive redevelopment. Redevelopment meant improvement, but in practice it amounted to demolition. Bulldozing slums and replacing them with brand-new buildings containing flats, offices and schools.

‘This plan is based on the existing situation, that is to say the residents and how they currently live and work in the neighbourhood, and existing buildings as they now function.’ Our Reconstruction Plan

In response, residents rose up and took ‘action’. At the initiative of the Royal Institute of Dutch Architects, five plans were drawn up for the Oude Westen. Four of them were based on gradual but extensive restructuring, while just one plan took the existing district as the starting point for renewal. Residents preferred this design submitted by a number of young architects from the Academy of Architecture. The Oude Westen Action Group, founded in 1970, adopted this plan and continued to collaborate with one of these architects, Pietro Hammel. Moreover, they initiated the urban renewal of the area with the slogan ‘building for the community’.

With the formation of a left-wing city council, headed by Mayor André van der Louw and Alderman Jan van der Ploeg, urban renewal began in earnest. The city bought up whole streets. A new vision of housing emerged, and young architects enjoyed opportunities to build. Over a period of 20 years, from 1970 to 1990, was spent working on the preservation and renewal of the Oude Westen.

Dwellings were renovated, joined together and extended. New residential complexes replaced dilapidated structures. Squares, playgrounds and social amenities replaced factories and businesses. Past themes have become relevant once again, though today they are interpreted differently. From an illustrious urban renewal district to a popular city quarter: the Oude Westen provokes lively discussion to this day.