Cerda's Eindhoven

Barcelona’s

Eixample Ildefons Cerda

A modern application of a historic urban fabric in the city of Eindhoven

Bastiaan Vennink June 8 , 2015

Table of Contents Abstract ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3 2. Introduction of the concept ................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Historic context................................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Scientific approach ........................................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Urban Fabric ..................................................................................................................................... 4 2.4 Handling the existing city ................................................................................................................. 5 3. Examining Eindhoven.............................................................................................................................. 5 3.1 History of Eindhoven ........................................................................................................................ 5 3.2 Analyze Eindhoven............................................................................................................................ 6 4. Transforming Eindhoven ........................................................................................................................ 6 4.1 Implementation ................................................................................................................................ 6 4.2 Result ................................................................................................................................................ 7 5. Reviewing the application ...................................................................................................................... 8 5.1 Conclusion......................................................................................................................................... 8 6. Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Appendix 1. Map of Eindhoven with overlay of Cerda’s grid ................................................................... 10 Appendix 2. Map of Cerda’s grid in Eindhoven ........................................................................................ 11 Appendix 3. Cerda’s grid adapting............................................................................................................ 12 Appendix 4. Usage of modern Barcelona ................................................................................................. 13 but also enhance the natural qualities the

Abstract This paper researches the impact that Cerda’s Theory of Urbanization could

region has. Some elements will remain, while most will be left out.

have had on Eindhoven, would it have

It is also an attempt to diminish social

been developed following its principles.

hierarchy. By using the identical grid

As can be seen, Barcelona and Eindhoven are developed in a very different way.

structure, there is no difference between lots.

Eindhoven has its radial-concentric traffic

Even though Cerda’s grid comes with

system,

multiple advantages, it also creates some

which

implicitly

comes

with

hierarchy.

Combing both principles will result in a very different city. Implementation will differ the spatial qualities of Eindhoven,

problems. Functions are scattered around the city and because hierarchy is gone, neighborhoods can lack an identity. In the end an interesting result remains.

2

The main idea of this paper is to look at

1. Introduction

the impact a historic concept can have on

The thesis statement that will be researched during this paper is: Applying

a modern city. The result will be a city that is totally influenced by another concept.

Cerdà ’s principles to Eindhoven will solve

First an introduction of the concept will be

the mono-functional problems, decrease

given, after which the major components

hierarchy

are described. To apply the concept in a

between

neighborhoods

and

better distribute public facilities.

This

paper

examines

a

correct way, the relevant aspects of modern

interpretation of a historic urban fabric, namely Cerda’s Eixample of Barcelona.

Whereas social context has changed, its principles are still applicable today. Good hygiene, accessibility and social equality are important aspects for which Cerda

modern Eindhoven will be laid out. After both concepts can be understood, the application

will

be

described.

The

consequences of this operation will be shown content. deduced

in

both Finally

textual a

from

and

conclusion the

imagery can

be

results.

tries to define the best urban conditions.

The

Eixample

in

Barcelona

is

an

illustration of a structured expansion, but this was not the standard of that time. E.g.

Eindhoven is a city that has its origin in multiple villages, which grew together.

After a major increase of inhabitants at the beginning of the 20 t h century, the city of Eindhoven decided to implement a radial-concentric

traffic

layout.

The

differences in structure make both cities look

really

interesting

different. to

see

It

how

is the

therefore housing

conditions in Eindhoven would have been,

1. Modern Eindhoven

should it have been based on a grid structure as was used in Barcelona.

3

2. Introduction of the concept

approach. This scientific approach meant that one had to use research to decide what the best possible solution would be.

2 . 1 H isto r ic con te xt The historic context of the 19 t h

To lecture himself the most common

century provides an uncertain situation to

urban principles, Cerda examined the

develop an urban master plan. Barcelona

qualities and weaknesses of various cities,

wanted

the

including Paris and London. During this

authorial government wanted to maintain

research he found that Barcelona was by

control over the city. The tension between

far the densest city. His study is best

Catalonia and Spain was at its peak, when

explained by the 5 basis of urbanization.

also the need of additional housing was

This theory consist 5 aspects for which he

escalating.

explains why the chosen solution is the

to

be

independent,

but

The city wall was a clear

display of that. Spain had built this wall to

best

maintain control over the city, whereas

underline the way in which Cerda thought,

the Catalonian opposition wanted the wall

and it is for that reason difficult to

demolished. Whoever proposed a master

understand that not all of his equations

plan for Barcelona, also had to decide

contain verifiable variables. This might be

what

This

due the lack of scientific knowledge, but

automatically meant making a political

his proposal was never really criticized for

statement. Because Cerda was directing in

this particular reason.

to

do

with

this

wall.

service of the central government, he

possible

one.

These

principles

2 . 3 U r ba n Fa b r ic

appeared to be pro-government. But as

After thorough investigations of

can be found in his research, he tried to

the different cities and street patterns,

support the best living conditions for all

Cerda studied the best dimensions in

inhabitants.

which

2 . 2 S cien t if ic ap p ro a ch

transportation was one of the major

To Eixample,

better we

understand

have

to

look

Cerda’s into

his

his

extension

would

fit.

Fluid

principles on which the Eixample was based. Overcrowding had made Barcelona

personal background. Ildefons Cerda was

a

educated as a civil engineer. Whereas

facilitators could not move through the

architects

city quickly. Also the combination of carts

were

known

for

their

slow

and

unpractical

and

aesthetics,

were

managed. Cerda thought transportation

acknowledged to use a more scientific

by train or tram could be a solution of the

engineers

was

not

Public

conservative attitude and concern for civil

pedestrians

city.

adequately

4

sluggish movement throughout the city.

alternative. So in Barcelona Cerda applied

Wide streets and well defined spaces

an improved system. This meant that

provide clear boundaries. The corners of

people who were displaced from their

the building blocks are cut, so that the

homes by the expropriation, would get a

tram can pass through the blocks more

new home in the extension, which was

easily.

built at the same time. This way the harms

Next to transportation, hygiene played an important role as well. The existing city was very dense, which resulted in bad hygiene and small houses. Therefore, the new

building

blocks

needed

to

have

enough space for the necessary hygienic improvements.

The

combination

of

a

caused by the reform were kept to a minimum and the extension would have inhabitants from the beginning.

3. Examining Eindhoven 3 . 1 H isto r y o f E in d ho ven The municipality of Eindhoven has

transport system and hygienic standards

its origin in 1920. Before that, all people

resulted in the wide dimensions of the

and

streets and building blocks.

throughout

2 . 4 H a nd lin g t he ex ist ing cit y

financial

workers

lived the

and

in

region.

logistical

little

villages

Because problems

of the

As Cerda found during his research,

villages decided to join their forces and

without an extension a reform of the old

combine them in “Groot (big) Eindhoven”.

city would not be possible, and without a

The former village of Eindhoven was only

reform

can

be

the smallest of villages, which were part

which

the

of the collaboration. Probably because of

expropriation was handled. During the

its strategic position this ultimately lead

design of the plan one major difficulty

to be the origin of its name and center of

remained; how to deal with the existing

the new town. What was then known as

city, and how to blend it in with the

Eindhoven, is today’s shopping center of

extension. As a solution, Cerda proposed

Groot Eindhoven. For the purpose of this

three new boulevards through the old city,

research

which ultimately meant expropriation of

Eindhoven is set to be the maintained city

the lands from the rich elite. However,

center, with the extension surrounding it.

when Cerda visited Paris to look at

The former water channels could be seen

Haussmann’s

it

as the city borders which the extension

existed,

has to adapt to, as the city wall was in

no

explained

unhuman

extension.

by

that

the

way

project,

This in

he

expropriation

found

without giving the former owners any

proposal,

this

inner

city

of

Barcelona.

5

inner one on a city scale. These roads are

3 . 2 A na lyz e E indh o v en To get a better understanding of

connected by concentric roads, which lead

how Cerda’s plan could be implemented in

directly towards the city center. Traffic

Eindhoven,

jams

the

spatial

identities

are

examined. Various qualities of the urban

occur

on

all

scales

and

are

interrelated.

fabric can be found both surrounding the city center and in the peripheries. If we

4. Transforming Eindhoven

look at the different locations of public services

like

police

stations,

fire

4 . 1 I mp lem e ntat ion

departments and hospitals, we see that all

When we start imagining Eindhoven

of these are outside the inner city. The

being built following Cerda’s urban fabric,

only governmental service inside the inner

the whole of Eindhoven starts to change.

city is its town hall.

The

concentric-radial

traffic

structure

that is in place now will disappear. The For several years, Eindhoven had a policy of intensifying the city center which means, next to some housing, the majority is filled in by retail stores. This makes the inner city a particular functional one.

However,

this

policy

caused

several

problems as well. During the day the inner city is a vibrant place used for shopping and social interaction, but after the stores

different

characteristics

neighborhoods,

how

of

current

beautiful

or

unpleasant they seem to be, will belong to the

past.

The

“Dommel-zone”

should

remain an untouched natural corridor through new network. Public services like hospitals and police stations need to be moved in the new pattern, but have to be on accessible places.

are closed it becomes a vacant area in the the

The expropriation process, one of the 5

policies concerning this problem changed,

aspects of Cerda’s theory, should be

and

to

handled in a different way than how they

rehabilitate the area. By adding multiple

did in Barcelona. Eindhoven is already

functions to the center, the inner city

fully occupied, so people have to be

should be vibrant place throughout the

moved accordingly. The development of

whole day.

the extension should be started in the less

evening

and

the

overnight.

municipality

Recently

now

tries

populated areas, so people of the denser The traffic system is very hierarchical.

Various radial roads enclose the city, the outer one functions on a national scale,

areas can move in, as after which their former land can be developed. This way the whole of Eindhoven could transform

the middle on a regional scale, and the

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from

Groot

Eindhoven

to

Cerda’s

Eindhoven.

4 . 2 Re s ult The social distribution of Eindhoven is mixed according to Cerda’s principles.

Two districts in Eindhoven, ‘Woensel’ and ‘de Karpen’, are two of Netherlands’ poorest

and

richest

neighborhoods

respectively. Woensel is known for its working-class Karpen

is

dwellings,

recognizable

whereas by

its

de large

mansions and multitude of greenery. By implementing the regular grid structure of Cerda, these characteristics are no longer present. Equally distributed land should

2. Grid on top of Modern Eindhoven

restore the social equality of the region and

bad

reputations

are

no

longer

Good dispersal of public services, will ensure the availability for all layers of

applicable.

society. By locating public services along The new major avenues are of greatest importance of connecting the city of Eindhoven to its surroundings. They can replace the ring roads which function on

the diagonal axis, it is ensured that everyone

can

access

them

quickly.

Thereby will this benefit response times of services like fire squads and ambulances.

city- and regional-scale. The roads are well connected in the city and lead towards neighboring cities. Their value can be found in approachability of the city and connectivity between the others. This accounts for short visits, as well as for long

stays.

Because the avenues

are

centralized and well embedded within the street pattern, their value is equally great

Even though the gridiron can flatten most of the hierarchy in the city, some parts will cope with rising land values and attract wealthier residents. E.g. because the Dommel-zone will be retained as a natural corridor through the regular grid pattern,

there

will

be

an

increased

demand for houses next to it.

for all citizens. The gridiron will assist the

In other parts of the city, the new urban

diagonal

fabric will try and dissolve the segmented

traffic.

avenues

and

facilitate

local

living environments, like they exist in in

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the center of Eindhoven. Because all

would be a major task to accomplish in

functions are mixed within the different

Eindhoven.

building blocks, the streets will be used

replacements for housing and to maintain

during the whole day and will no longer be

equality

empty by night.

difficult. However, due to some vacant

Finally, the old city needs its reform.

Because the living conditions are not as

in

To

land

arrange

adequate

distribution

will

be

industrial sites through town, this seems not to be impossible.

dense and unhygienic as they were in

Altogether,

Cerda’s

Eindhoven

would

Barcelona, this reform does not have to be

answer some difficulties Eindhoven is

drastic in terms of physical change. What

facing today, but while doing so, will raise

is now a shopping center, could get a

questions for itself.

whole new identity in the new Eindhoven.

A

mixture

of

housing,

retail

shops,

entertainment and workshops could make it a cultural district in a monotonous city.

5. Reviewing the application 5 . 1 Co nclu s io n Applying Cerda’s urban theory to the city of Eindhoven results in a very interesting outcome. Because the current radial-concentric structure and Cerda’s gridiron are so different, the spatial qualities

of

Eindhoven

will

certainly

change. The different identities will be lost, but so will its social hierarchy. New opportunities will arise. The problems of mono-functionality as the city center is

3. Cerda’s Eindhoven

facing today could be solved by mixing different

functions

within

the

same

building blocks.

An

important

economic

aspect

solutions

for

of

Cerda,

the

expropriation,

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6. Bibliography B. Pallares, D. B. (2011). Cerdà and Barcelona: The need for a new city and service provision.

Urbani Izziv vol. 22, No. 2 122-136.

Busquets, J. (n.d.). Barcelona, the urban evolution of a compact city. Harvard University, 122-142.

Cerdà. (n.d.). Generalitat de Catalunya.

E. Aibar, W. B. (1997). Constructing a City: The Cerda Plan for the Extension of Barcelona.

Science, Technology, & Human Values, Vol. 22, 3-30.

M. Hvattum, C. H. (2004). Tracing Modernity, Manifestations of the modern in architecture and the city. London: Routledge.

Neuman, M. (2012). Ildefons Cerdà and the future of spatial planning. The Town Planning Review vol. 82, No. 2.

Puig, A. S. (2000). Cerda : the five bases of the general theory of urbanization. Sociedad Editorial Electa Espana.

Ramos, A. (2012). The Cerdà effect on city modernisation. The Town Planning Review vol.

83, No. 6.

The Eixample. (2015). Geography fieldwork.

Walking through Cerdà's plan. (2012). EPFL Lausanne.

Wang, Y. (2012). Barcelona: Block City. Architectural Association Graduate School.

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Appendix 1. Map of Eindhoven with overlay of Cerda’s grid

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Appendix 2. Map of Cerda’s grid in Eindhoven

Map of “Cerda’s Eindhoven”. The green patterns are the existing public parks, which remain in the adapted plan. The old city is shown in black, as are the TU/e campus and public facilities and the PSV-

stadium. The stadium could be seen as a modern asylum for the inhabitants of Eindhoven, as was the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

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Appendix 3. Cerda’s grid adapting adapting Adapting to Barcelona Existing city (Grey) Extension (Orange)

Adapting to Eindhoven Existing city (Grey) Extension (Orange) Adapting blocks (Red) Dommel-zone (Green)

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Appendix 4. Usage of modern Barcelona

Barcelona, social media locations. (Orange Message, Black Picture)

Barcelona, Taxi usage throughout the day.

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Appendix 4 . Usage of modern

The non-hierarchical grid structure plays an active role in this usage of space. It

Barcelona.

seems

As a side note, I came across some big data of Barcelona, produced and analyzed by atNight. The images show the

this

is

an

inhabitants

of

Barcelona,

somewhat

separate

advantage

from

for

the

which

live

all

these

activities.

locations in which people talk on social

This kind of movement will take less

media (orange), and locations tourists

rigorous forms in Eindhoven, since the

take pictures of the city (black dots).

parks and landmark buildings are less

What I found interesting is that the majority of social media activities take place in the historic city, as well as at the Sagrada Familia and Park GuĂŤll, but is not

unique.

The

habitants

could

therefor

benefit a lot from this kind of movement system, compared to the radial-concentric system.

really present in the regular grid of the Eixample. All this is in big contrast with the usage of Taxi’s, which are used throughout the whole grid.

It therefor seems that the old city is more attractive Eixample

for is

tourists, intensively

whereas used

by

the its

inhabitants. This probably is the result of the monotonous architecture, which the majority of tourists find not as interesting as it is.

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