Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book addresses the research methodology, explaining the use of the case study approach, typology, space syntax gamma analysis, and density. It describes about De Muzen, a suburban project built by Atelier Pro Architekten in Almere in 1997 as the focal point of a large park. The book concerns De Zilvervloot, a 125-unit project in Dordrecht with a density of 170 units per hectare (70 units per acre), designed by Atelier d'Urbanism, d'Architecture et d'Informatique in 2007 in a participatory process that renovated a neighborhood in Dordrecht built in the 1950s. It examines Carnisselande, a 2006 project in suburban Barendrecht. The book analyzes La Grande Cour, a project designed by three architectural firms, MVSA Architects, de Architekten Cie and Heren 6 Architecten, and built in 2008 in the West Docklands of Amsterdam near the railroad station and on the IJ River.