Lelylaan/A10 Ring Road Study: Taken to a new Digital Realm
Following UNStudio’s proposal for new urban development and innovative transport solutions in Lelylaan area of Amsterdam, UNSense is now looking into further research and digital product development relating to future mobility and city making.
UNSense – UNStudio’s innovation platform – is engaged in examining the potential integration of new digital infrastructure around Amsterdam’s A10 ring road and Lelylaan area. This follows a 2016 research study that was prepared by UNStudio in collaboration with Goudappel Coffeng, 2getthere and GeoPhy, where a proposal for new infrastructure and urban development around the A10 ring road West was shared with the City of Amsterdam, the BNA and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment.
As identified in the research, the area forms an urban barrier that hinders social, cultural and physical connection between the inner and outer parts of the city. This disconnection renders the A10 ring road itself uninhabitable and underused. Even though the A10 West offers multiple ground level connections between the inner and outer ring zone, it has been concluded that the quality of these connections is often low and deemed unpopular by users.
The resulting proposal was twofold: a new multimodal transport hub located on the intersection between Cornelis Lelylaan and the A10, and new urban development on both sides of the A10 road that link the adjacent neighbourhoods. UNSense is currently engaged in an independent study that examines potential digital interactions between infrastructure and users, as it identifies the area as a testing-ground for innovation.
Human-centric urban environments
The 2016 proposal focused on new potential urban development in and around the Lelylaan/A10 intersection which would result in the introduction of 8,400 new residential units, in a total built area of 750,000 m². With underground and above ground connections there would no longer be a prevailing concept of the inner/outer ring. New streets and pathways would favour pedestrians, and a density of people and buildings would create liveliness and a mix of uses. The provision of amenities with a robust network of public spaces would allow for a strong social infrastructure and job creation opportunities. UNSense is looking into new digital applications that enhance social connectivity and help create an informed society in what is speculated to be Amsterdam’s new neighbourhood.
A new multi-use Hub
A new multimodal transport hub located on top of the intersection between Lelylaan and the A10 road is expected to allow users and goods to transition between different modes of transportation- from long distance (private transport) to short distance rides (public on-demand) and from ground transport (cars, trucks) to aerial movement (drones). The proposal includes a stop for CityPods, a new autonomous alternative to mass-public transport. The driverless CityPods provide a direct connection to Amsterdam city centre, improving accessibility between the inner and outer ring areas.
Introducing parking for electric mobility, the Hub is also proposed to be micro-scale energy storage and supply centre. UNSense is interested to develop further concepts related to Circularity and efficient energy exchange in order to support and benefit the community surrounding the Hubs.