OMA's David Gianotten on why local context shapes future cities
OMA managing partner David Gianotten discusses urban development rooted in local context, highlighting projects like Bajes Kwartier in Amsterdam.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Urban development must respect the unique histories and conditions of each location.
- The 15-minute city model requires safeguards to prevent skyrocketing housing costs.
- Amsterdam's Bajes Kwartier project recycled 98 percent of materials from the former prison.
Modern urban living is increasingly evaluated not merely by economic output, but by how environments support everyday human life. For David Gianotten, managing partner and architect at OMA, working across cities like Amsterdam, Rome, and Taipei reveals that essential elements such as housing, mobility, public spaces, and density cannot be detached from the distinct histories and specific conditions of each neighborhood.
Rather than pushing every urban center to adopt a rigid 15-minute city template, Gianotten emphasizes the importance of establishing fundamental conditions for accessibility. This encompasses infrastructure, public transport, cycling networks, housing, and local amenities, while carefully monitoring the economic consequences that follow substantial urban upgrades.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Transport enhancements and local amenities inevitably reshape land values, carrying significant implications for housing affordability and community access. Consequently, Gianotten reframes the 15-minute city concept as a guiding ambition to foster daily environments that remain accessible, sustainable, and socially connected without relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
The 15-minute city framework has gained widespread attention globally as an urban planning strategy aiming to ensure residents can reach daily necessities within a short walk or bike ride. Yet, a central debate among urban planners involves the risk of gentrification, where successful neighborhood upgrades drive up property values and price out long-term residents unless affordable housing is strictly protected.
"I would say the real influence of architecture lies in bringing people together and initiating processes of change. Its limits begin when it assumes it can act alone."
David Gianotten
This perspective redefines architectural agency as a collaborative process of uniting people and initiating systemic change rather than acting in isolation. In Taipei, for instance, OMA is spearheading the regeneration of a 1960s residential district commissioned directly by local residents. By prioritizing the existing spatial and social qualities valued by the community, the project focuses on preservation and adaptation rather than mere replacement.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Addressing density in Amsterdam, OMA's Bajes Kwartier initiative transforms a former prison site into a mixed-use neighborhood comprising roughly 1,350 homes alongside workspaces and public gardens. Notably, 98 percent of materials from the original structures were recycled, and 30 percent of the housing is dedicated to social housing to prevent socioeconomic segregation amidst rising urban density.
Source: designboom
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