Delft urban

environment
General observation
Above everything else, the components
of the urban environment are the same
today as they were when Samuel Pepys
observed its bridges, its rivers and its
streets.
There is clearly a well developed
vernacular, probably from that Golden
Age, with large windows, dutch gables,
slim red brinks, white pointing, stain
glass accents, hoists, limited thresholds,
level changes, courtyards and steep
steps.
However the effect isnt wholly
traditional. The overwhelming
conclusion of the analysis of Delft, is
in fact, the notion that deviation from
this vernacular based on practical and
functional concerns creates a harmony
of difference. Where an approach
that seeks to safeguard a traditional
vernacular style might fail to create
harmony, the Dutch pragmatic attitude
succeeds because of an attitude
towards architecture that attempts to
solve questions rather than express
motives.

An

architecture

that attempts to
TU delft library

solve questions
rather than

express motives.

The words of Samel Pepys still ring true.

it is a most sweet
town, with bridges,
and a river in every
street.

The diary of Samuel Pepys

(1633-1703)

Delft

observation

neighbourhoods

more land to the south of old city.

district names relate to old centre
or villages - suggests a long
established relationship between
centre and its hinterland

1100 Bedrijventerrein Wateringseweg

1101 Centrum-Noord
1102 Centrum-West
1103 Centrum-Oost
1104 Centrum
1105 Stationsbuurt
1106 Centrum-Zuidwest
1107 In de Veste
1108 Centrum-Zuidoost
1109 Zuidpoort
1200 Bedrijventerrein Haagweg
1201 Indische Buurt-Noord
1202 Indische Buurt-Zuid
1203 Sint Joris
1204 Koepoort
1205 Bomenwijk
1206 Biesland
1207 Heilige Land
1208 Bedrijventerrein Delftse Poort-West
1300 Bedrijventerrein Altena
1301 Agnetapark
1302 Ministersbuurt-West
1303 Ministersbuurt-Oost
1304 Wilhelminapark
1305 Olofsbuurt
1306 Krakeelpolder
1307 Westerkwartier
1400 Kuyperwijk-Noord
1401 Kuyperwijk-Zuid
1402 Ecodus
1403 Marlot
1404 Westlandhof
1405 Hoornse Hof
1406 Den Hoorn
1407 Molenbuurt
1600 De Bras
1601 Hertenkamp
1602 De Grote Plas
1603 Bedrijventerrein Delftse Poort-Oost
1604 Hoflaan
2200 Bedrijventerrein Tanthof-West
2201 Afrikabuurt-West
2202 Afrikabuurt-Oost
2203 Latijns Amerikabuurt
2204 Azibuurt
2205 Tanthofkadebuurt
2300 Bedrijventerrein Tanthof-Oost
2301 Boerderijbuurt
2302 Dierenbuurt
2303 Vogelbuurt-West
2304 Vogelbuurt-Oost
2305 Bosrand
2400 Poptahof-Noord
2401 Poptahof-Zuid

2408 Bedrijventerrein Vulcanusweg

2500 Reinier de Graafbuurt
2501 Buitenhof-Noord
2502 Juniusbuurt
2503 Gillisbuurt
2504 Fledderusbuurt

2402 Bedrijventerrein Voorhof

2403 Mythologiebuurt
2404 Aart van der Leeuwbuurt
2405 Roland Holstbuurt
2406 Voorhof-Hoogbouw
2407 Multatulibuurt

Delft Figures

Key demographics and statistical

analysis. Source: Adapted from the
Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek.
Holland. http://www.cbs.nl

Population

Age
0-14 yrs
15-24 yrs
25-44 yrs
45-65 yrs
65 +

Male
Female

Land environment

Demographics

Delft Old City

Water 5ha
Land 134ha

Number of inhabitants per km

Less than 1,453
1,453 to 4,401
4,401 to 8,566
8,566 to 13,518
13,518 or more

Delft area
Water 87ha
Land 2321ha

Number of people receiving benefits per

1000 population
Less than 39
39 to 68
68 to 103
103 to 164
164 or more
no data

Bikes
More Bikes + Less Cars

Bike Parking

Incentives

Cycle Distances

Greater use of bikes leads to less

congestion, quieter streets and safer
neighbourhoods. The public space is
shared, with greater priority given to bikes
and pedestrians. quality and transport

If you use your bike for work-related

transport you can claim 19 cents a
kilometre as a tax-free perk

according to research by newspaper

Trouw. Student cities in particular have
a shortage of places to park bikes. This
despite the fact stations have a huge
320,000 official bike parking spaces.

The average cycle distance each trip is

three kilometres, or 15 minutes pedalling.
The Dutch are more likely to walk if their
destination is at kilometre or less away. If
it is between one and four kilometres they
get their bikes out, but If its more than that
they prefer to drive. Cycling in a town will,
on average, get you to your destination 5%
quicker than driving and in big towns (over
100,000 inhabitants) it is 10%. The bike
always wins when the distance to be covered
is three kilometres or less. If its more the car
is quicker, including parking and walking to
the destination.

Empty
Cycling distance

Walking distance

Full

Shared Space

BIKE
CAR
BIKE
PEDESTRIAN
Material change, limited markings, no
kurb. Slight level change to alow water
runoff.
Below sign in residential street showing
mixed use/shared priorities