A Part of the Suburban Metropolis Leiden’s Suburban Environment
Suburban Quality with Metropolitan Function
Leiden Urban Agglomeration
Leiden has a different metropolitan form and experience to other cities in the Netherlands and overseas I have experienced. Leiden retains an idyllic, suburban quality. The city center may not be as shiny, busy and tall as other cities, but performs the economic function effectively. The city is an assemblage of districts with a suburban character, i.e. Low density, planned, small scale, generic typologies, local neighbourhood centers, local open spaces, few commercial strips.
‘Leiden is a densely populated city with a relatively highly educated population. Beginning in 2016 the city had 122,600 inhabitants. There are many students / many young adults in Leiden: 24, 000 Leideners are 18 - 26 years. This is about 20% of all Leiden citizens, while this rate nationwide is 11%. In the city are 56, 600 homes and employs over 60,000 people in 4200 companies and institutions.’ - Introduction by Gemeente Leiden (https://gemeente.leiden. nl/over-de-stad/leiden-in-cijfers/)
Statistical Urban Comparisons
Leiden
Amsterdam
Hague
Rotterdam
Population=123,000
Population=779,000
Population=495,000
Population=610,000
Population Density=5,524/km2
Population Density=2,969/km2
Population Density=6,240/km2
Population Density=2,969/km2
Road Density=16,000m /km2
Road Density = no data
Road Density = 13,000m /km2
Road Density = 10,000m /km2
Main Urban Activity=Education, Research, Bioscience, Medical
Main Urban Activity=Business, Finance, Port, Logistics, Trade
Main Urban Activity=Service, Government
Main Urban Activity=Port, Logistics, Trade
Source: CBS, https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/news/2010/47/total-length-dutch-roads-stretches-halfway-to-the-moon https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/society/population
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