Co/Lab
Bridging the gap
What if.. bridges became multifunctional spaces for city life?
Amsterdam has around 1,800 bridges and 600 kilometres of quays. These structures not only connect the city but also form an essential part of its heritage and identity. However, many of these bridges were not designed to withstand today’s heavy traffic and are in poor condition. One solution is to close them to cars and lorries, but this raises important questions: how do you gain support from local residents? And how can the newly available space be put to positive use?
From traffic route to meeting place
The City of Amsterdam and What if Lab joined forces to challenge designers to transform bridges into multifunctional, social spaces. Social collective PLYGRND.city and architectural duo Ivanka Bakker and Florian Eckardt developed a series of modular concepts that put the city and its residents at the heart of the design process.
Modular designs for a dynamic city
The designers created three modular concepts: Living Room, Stories, and Modular Seating & Play. These concepts use recognisable Amsterdam materials such as natural stone, reclaimed wood, and steel, and can be adapted to different locations. By closing bridges to traffic, space is created for social interaction, relaxation, and play, incorporating elements such as lanterns, plants, storytelling features, and playful seating areas.
Co-designing with Amsterdam’s residents
Participation was at the core of this project. Residents were invited to contribute their ideas, resulting in valuable insights. The final designs reflect the needs of the city and have been widely embraced. Furthermore, as more bridges are closed in the future, local communities will have the opportunity to choose which modular elements they would like to see in their neighbourhood.
The future of Amsterdam’s bridges
The concepts have been met with enthusiasm and present an inspiring vision for how bridges can contribute to a more liveable, accessible, and vibrant city. The next step is to test these ideas in practice, demonstrating how closed bridges can take on a new and valuable role in Amsterdam’s urban life.
