How the Dutch city of Tilburg gets to the roots of the agricultural ‘kampen’ landscape

The Southern sandy areas in The Netherlands, characterised by small fields, intensive agriculture and a high population density, are turning into a vast urban conglomeration. The agricultural ‘kampen’ landscape has left its traces on the urban fabric with its scattered buildings and green wedges. It took centuries to transform 10 small villages into the town of Tilburg. Development of the qualities of the sandy areas calls for a unifying concept. The central issue is the transformation of landscape elements into the new urban context. The city of Tilburg decides to take the Greenstructure plan as the overall vision for the integration of town and countryside. The plan offers a medium-range strategy on the development of city districts, outdoor spaces and nature areas. ‘Greenstructures’ have to contribute to the segmentation of the conurbation by transforming landscape elements into inner landscape. Pilot projects demonstrate how urbanisation can fit the cultural landscape. These projects breathe new life into the (post) industrial landscape.