In what will ultimately become Florence Pricehof in Kenniskwartier, The Pulse of Amsterdam (complete with housing, a cinema and hospitality facilities) and Stepstone residential tower are already in use. In early 2027 it will be the turn of 127 DUWO student flats. Slightly to the west towards the Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), we will be creating something similar around Margaret Bondshof. We call it the western development field (Westelijk Ontwikkelveld).
Living and working around a green courtyard
Around Margaret Bondshof, several buildings will be developed in the years ahead, in the shape of a horseshoe, mirroring those around Florence Pricehof. This will include housing (around 500 homes, from social rented to free-market sector), offices and social and commercial amenities (such as hospitality and retail). The office buildings will be based along the A10, protecting the housing from the noise of traffic. All of this has been included in a revised urban design plan.
Updating plans
The plan for the western development field dates from 2022 (see box below) and is no longer adequate. This is because Amsterdam now wishes to significantly increase the number of homes in the city by using the space within the city boundaries more effectively – here in Zuidas, we are also attempting to identify opportunities for this kind of densification.
In addition, the construction of the A10 tunnel by Zuidasdok is also resulting in changes. For example, the plans for offices on plot 2i (where OBA-Next was originally intended to be) is being moved from the eastern development field to plot 2j on the western development field. As mentioned above, the offices will now also be based alongside the A10, ensuring that all of the housing around Margaret Bondshof will have a pleasant living environment. With that in mind, we are also clearing more space for loading and unloading and waste collection.
Kenniskwartier development planning: from 2011 to the present
In 2011, the City Council approved the plans for the development of the Kenniskwartier neighbourhood. In 2018, this resulted in a zoning plan for the north side of the area, the section between Gustav Mahlerlaan and the A10 Zuid. That plan described the development of the east side of Kenniskwartier in detail: the eastern development field centred around Florence Pricehof mentioned above. In 2022, the first version of the plan for the western development field was then added.
What next?
The new urban design plan differs from the rules currently included in the environmental plan. For this reason, we intend to amend the rules in the environmental plan. The development of the first part of this area will be made possible by means of what is known as a BOPA procedure. In the period up to late January 2026, we will be working on the preparation for the BOPA procedure for plot 2j. That is a first plot that will be developed in the western development field and will primarily feature offices and social rented housing. It is expected to be put to tender in mid-2026. Plots 2k and 2l will not be developed for several years.
Involvement of local area
In the period ahead, we will be informing interested parties in the immediate area. We will be contacting them directly. Details of the schedule are included below and the participation plan can be viewed here.
- Q3 2025 Informing interested parties in the neighbourhood.
- Around Q4 2025 Completion of information and consultation round with a final report on participation.
- Around Q1 2026 Start of spatial planning procedure (environmental permit) for the development of plot 2J.
Kenniskwartier
Over the next few years, in alliance with VU Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), we are transforming Kenniskwartier into an exciting mix that brings together a wide range of functions. In total, there will be around 2,700 homes in Kenniskwartier. The neighbourhood will also provide space for education, knowledge-related business, healthcare, culture, shops and hospitality. Gustav Mahlerlaan, one of the main arteries of Kenniskwartier, divides the area into a northern and southern section. In the northern section, what will ultimately be Jaddanbaikade will form the boundary between the eastern and the western development field.
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