Strijp-S

strijp-s
Project box

Geographical area: Europe

Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands

City size: Small (between 50,000 and 250,000 inhabitants)

Promoter: Municipality of Eindhoven and VolkerWessels

Developer: Park Strijp Beheer B.V. and VolkerWessels

Start year:

End-year: In progress

Implementation phase: Implementation in progress

Project size: Neighborhood

Total area of intervention (in sqm): 280.000

Total investments (in USD): 1.31 billion

Project overview

The Strijp-S regeneration project in Eindhoven is a transformative urban redevelopment initiative that has turned a former industrial site into a vibrant, mixed-use district. The project area is located in the northwestern Strijp district of Eindhoven and covers an area of approximately 280,000, originally owned by the manufacturing company Philips from 1916 until the 1990s. The area represents a vast urban void close to the center of the city, which has been left abandoned since Philips decided to relocate its headquarters. The Municipality saw an important opportunity for redevelopment, as the area is close to the city center and covers a vast abandoned area. After its relocation, the company opened a public tender in 2001 for the regeneration of the site. Seeing the huge potential of the area, the Municipality of Eindhoven and the private developer and constructor VolkerWessels created the public-private company Park Strijp Beheer. The public-private company acquired the land site from Philips through the public tender, and directly appointed the architectural firm West 8 to develop the masterplan of the intervention. The masterplan, developed between 2002 and 2005, set the strategic framework for the area's redevelopment, focusing on the adaptive reuse of historic industrial buildings, the creation of new residential and commercial spaces, and the integration of green and public spaces. The plan emphasized a mixed-use approach, aiming to create a vibrant, multifunctional neighborhood. In order to start the regeneration initiative, the Municipality of Eindhoven included the masterplan of Strijp-S within the variation of the urban plan. During the planning phase, Park Strijp Beheer sold the land and the existing buildings to different private developers and housing agencies in order to implement their development projects. After the completion and approval of the masterplan in 2006, the implementation and construction phases began in the neighborhood, with the public-private company developing the new public spaces and infrastructures. The construction works performed by private developers and housing agencies led to the construction of around 2,000 new residential units, 155,000 sqm of offices and commercial activities, and a new events venue covering a surface of around 8,000 sqm. The restoration of the existing buildings allowed for the creation of new residential units, retail spaces, creative studios, restaurants, bars and hotels. In addition, the implementation phase saw the construction of new pedestrian walks and bicycle lanes, together with the provision of new buses and tram stops to connect the neighborhood with the city center and the surrounding areas. The project also prioritized the creation of public spaces, including a central park spine and multiple plazas, which have become key features of the neighborhood. The project saw the participation of both public and private investors, with the Municipality of Eindhoven employing public resources to finance Park Strijp Beheer. Private developers and housing agencies then employed private resources to acquire land parcels and buildings to conduct their redevelopment project. The vision of the Strijp-S project was to create a dynamic urban district that would serve as a hub for creativity, innovation, and community. The project has been a major success, attracting substantial private investment and generating significant revenues through property sales and leases, and transforming Strijp-S into a vibrant neighborhood that appeals to a young, diverse population, while also integrating cultural and social housing elements. In addition, the project has set new standards for sustainable urban development, incorporating green spaces, sustainable mobility, and innovative public lighting.

The regeneration of Strijp-S resulted in a dynamic and diverse urban district, characterized by a mix of residential, commercial, and public spaces. The masterplan envisioned the development of around 2,500 new residential units, alongside 92,000 sqm of office space and 63,000 sqm dedicated to services, commercial activities, and cultural amenities. This mix of uses was designed to create a vibrant, multifunctional neighborhood that supports a variety of lifestyles and economic activities. The area also includes significant public green spaces, with a central park spine and five public squares integrated into the urban fabric. These spaces provide essential recreational areas and contribute to the overall quality of life for residents and visitors. The development emphasized the adaptive reuse of historic industrial buildings, blending the area’s industrial heritage with modern architecture and sustainable design practices.

Benefits

The economic impact of the Strijp-S project has been significant, as it revitalized a formerly declining industrial area into a thriving mixed-use urban district. The project attracted substantial private investment, as the redevelopment brought to the establishment of 300 new companies in the neighborhood by 2019. The influx of new companies benefitted both the local economy and employment, providing significant job opportunities for the new neighborhood residents. The transformation and regeneration of the area has significantly increased property values, turning it into one of the most sought-after locations in Eindhoven. Additionally, the project has created numerous jobs in construction, retail, and various service sectors, contributing to economic growth in the region. The mixed-use nature of the development, which includes residential, commercial, and cultural spaces, has further diversified the local economy and made Strijp-S a key economic driver for Eindhoven.

The regeneration of the Strijp-S brought significant environmental effects. The masterplan for the area included a strong emphasis on sustainability, incorporating green spaces, sustainable mobility solutions, and the adaptive reuse of historic buildings. The project prioritized public green areas, such as a central park spine designed to be active throughout the year, enhancing the local ecosystem and providing residents with access to nature. The use of innovative lighting solutions with the installation of led lighting systems allow to reduce the energy consumption for lighting purposes.

The Strijp-S regeneration project has redefined the area as a vibrant, creative hub that attracts a diverse population, particularly young professionals. The redevelopment of historic industrial buildings and the creation of new residential spaces have transformed Strijp-S into a high-density, multifunctional neighborhood. By 2019, the population of Strijp-S had grown to 1,665 residents, with 78.2% of them being between the ages of 20 and 34, indicating the area's appeal to younger demographics. The project also emphasized the integration of social housing, ensuring a mix of income levels among residents. The introduction of cultural events, such as the Dutch Design Week and the STRP Festival, has further enriched the social fabric of the neighborhood, making it a dynamic space for innovation, creativity, and community engagement. Sustainable mobility was also a key focus, with the area being well-connected to public transportation networks and designed to promote non-motorized transport with bicycle lanes and pedestrian walks.

The regeneration of Strijp-S did not receive any certificate.

Finance model

The regeneration of Strijp-S has been funded by the public-private partnership Park Strijp Beheer, which has been established by the private developer VolkerWessels and the Municipality of Eindhoven. The partnership has been established with both partners holding a 50% share in the public-private company created.. The total investment on the project site stands at around USD 1.31 billion.

The Strijp-S regeneration project was financed through both private investment and public resources. From the public side, the Municipality of Eindhoven employed direct grants to finance the public-private company Park Strijp Beheer. The public-private partnership employed both public grants and private resources from VolkerWessels to acquire the land site from Philips. The acquisition has been made through the public tender held by Philips in 2002 to regenerate the site. By acquiring the entire site from Philips, Park Strijp Beheer divided the land into smaller parcels to be sold to private developers and housing agencies. Lastly, the Municipality ensured a land use change by including the Strijp-S regeneration initiative within the urban plan of the Municipality, capturing the increased land value from the previous industrial function. From the private side, housing agencies and private developers employed private resources to acquire either existing buildings or land parcels on the site and conduct their redevelopment projects.

References and Credits

AUDIS (2020). La rigenerazione urbana in Europa-Dalle aree dismesse a nuovi spazi di vita e lavoro. Available here.

Strijp-S official website. Accessed on 29/08/2024. Available here.

Atlas of Heritage-led Regeneration. Strijp-S. Accessed on 29/08/2024. Available here.

Image from Sjoerd Eickmans, retrieved here.