Maxwan Gives Leiden an Urban Overhaul

Rotterdam-based practice Maxwan has completed the master plan for the transformation of the Central Station and its adjoining quarter in the city of Leiden, the Netherlands, transforming a typical neglected station area into a vibrant new high-density neighborhood.

Project Description:

The master plan strengthens the connection between the historic city centre in its south and Leiden's Bio-Science district in its north. Special care is taken to create a natural transition from the historic centre into this new high density neighborhood: the street network has a similar fine grain and scale, due to a special building typology. By combining low street facades with set back high rises, high density is created while attractive light streets, squares and green spaces are retained.

The plan comprises 1000 new houses, workspaces for local starters as well as international firms, a new extension of Leiden's shopping-centre, a multiplex cinema, cutting-edge parking solutions and a new public transport hub including an indoor bus station and a light-rail station. New- and enhanced connections allow pedestrians and bicyclists to travel on street level, between the two sides of the station without crossing cars, busses and trams.

Project Details:

Program: transport hub, office, housing, retail, cinema, congress centre, hotel
Client: City of Leiden
Country: Netherlands
City: Leiden
Scale: L
Site area: 10ha
Partner in charge: Rients Dijkstra, Hiroki Matsuura
Team leader: Kris Schaasberg
Team: Anna Borzyszkowska, Artur Borejszo , Nara Lee, Nobuki Ogasahara, Rene Sangers, Harm te Velde

Find many more plans, diagrams and renderings of the Leiden Master Plan in the image gallery below: