Living together in
Amsterdam Southeast
Research assignment
For the Municipality of Amsterdam we have conducted the study ‘Praktijk van Samenleven’ (Practice of Living Together). With Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and lyongo architecture, we have conducted a research focused on social cohesion and creating livable spaces in the neighborhoods of Amsterdam Zuidoost.
Amsterdam is growing, and approximately 60% of its residents now have a migration background. It is important that everyone—regardless of origin, culture, or religion—can continue to connect. This research helps the City of Amsterdam improve policy and strengthen social cohesion, particularly in Zuidoost, but also as an example for other neighborhoods.
Research theory
The research builds on the Becoming a Minority (BaM) project (2019–2024) by Prof. Maurice Crul and Frans Lelie. They developed the Integration in Diversity (ID) theory, which sheds new light on integration in superdiverse cities. The theory shows that integration is not only about “settling in” (of the newcomer), but also about how all groups meet each other (including native Dutch people) and build relationships. The BaM-study shows that the design of buildings and public spaces plays a significant role in this. Social interaction doesn’t happen automatically. An inclusive living environment requires strengthening both the physical space (design and layout) and the social processes (collaboration, shared activities).
ID theory distinguishes several resident groups, depending on their attitudes toward diversity and how they embody it in their daily lives. In this study, we focus on two opposing groups from the theory: ID groups 3 and 7, or the “connectors” (3) and the “disconnecters” (7).
Approach
Two neighborhoods were selected: Venserpolder and the K-Towers, both located in Amsterdam Zuidoost. This district is characterized by its great diversity of cultures. In these two neighborhoods, an average of around 80% of residents have a migration background, considerably higher than the city average of 60%.
Within these neighborhoods, two types of residential buildings were selected: apartment buildings and residential towers. These housing types illustrate stacked and elevated living in the city – a type of housing that the municipality of Amsterdam, like other Dutch cities, is increasingly using to accommodate the growing population in a densifying city. The research team began in Venserpolder in February 2025 and in the K-towers in May 2025.
Results
We conducted surveys and interviews to determine what makes living together pleasant or unpleasant. A key conclusion is the importance of “connectors.” A neighborhood only feels like home when you feel connected to others. This is partly due to residents who encourage this and actively connect. Both Venserpolder and the K-towers potentially have a significant group of “connectors.” However, their efforts are hampered by the spatial layout. While Venserpolder lacks a human scale in the public space, the four K-towers have a dysfunctional layout of the semi public spaces.
Each neighborhood faces different challenges, both social and spatial. We want to emphasize that the physical measures will only be effective if the social problems are also addressed. That is why in phase 2 of the project, we will identify the physical and social interventions, together with all consortium partners, and implement solutions in selected housing blocks. Initial discussions with the housing associations have already begun.
A summary of our results are published in this handout. You can read all of the results in the full (academic) paper by the VU Amsterdam.
Research assignment
For the Municipality of Amsterdam we have conducted the study ‘Praktijk van Samenleven’ (Practice of Living Together). With Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and lyongo architecture, we have conducted a research focused on social cohesion and creating livable spaces in the neighborhoods of Amsterdam Zuidoost.
Amsterdam is growing, and approximately 60% of its residents now have a migration background. It is important that everyone—regardless of origin, culture, or religion—can continue to connect. This research helps the City of Amsterdam improve policy and strengthen social cohesion, particularly in Zuidoost, but also as an example for other neighborhoods.
Research theory
The research builds on the Becoming a Minority (BaM) project (2019–2024) by Prof. Maurice Crul and Frans Lelie. They developed the Integration in Diversity (ID) theory, which sheds new light on integration in superdiverse cities. The theory shows that integration is not only about “settling in” (of the newcomer), but also about how all groups meet each other (including native Dutch people) and build relationships. The BaM-study shows that the design of buildings and public spaces plays a significant role in this. Social interaction doesn’t happen automatically. An inclusive living environment requires strengthening both the physical space (design and layout) and the social processes (collaboration, shared activities).
ID theory distinguishes several resident groups, depending on their attitudes toward diversity and how they embody it in their daily lives. In this study, we focus on two opposing groups from the theory: ID groups 3 and 7, or the “connectors” (3) and the “disconnecters” (7).
Approach
Two neighborhoods were selected: Venserpolder and the K-Towers, both located in Amsterdam Zuidoost. This district is characterized by its great diversity of cultures. In these two neighborhoods, an average of around 80% of residents have a migration background, considerably higher than the city average of 60%.
Within these neighborhoods, two types of residential buildings were selected: apartment buildings and residential towers. These housing types illustrate stacked and elevated living in the city – a type of housing that the municipality of Amsterdam, like other Dutch cities, is increasingly using to accommodate the growing population in a densifying city. The research team began in Venserpolder in February 2025 and in the K-towers in May 2025.
Read the publication
In total, we conducted approximately 130 surveys and 70 interviews to determine what makes living together pleasant or unpleasant. A key conclusion is the importance of “connectors.” A neighborhood only feels like home when you feel connected to others. This is partly due to residents who encourage this and actively connect. Both Venserpolder and the K-towers potentially have a significant group of “connectors.” However, their efforts are hampered by the spatial layout. While Venserpolder lacks a human scale in the public space, the four K-towers have a dysfunctional layout of the semi public spaces.
Each neighborhood faces different challenges, both social and spatial. We want to emphasize that the physical measures will only be effective if the social problems are also addressed. That is why in phase 2 of the project, we will identify the physical and social interventions, together with all consortium partners, and implement solutions in selected housing blocks. Initial discussions with the housing associations have already begun.
View the full study here (in Dutch).
Living together in Amsterdam Southeast
For the Municipality of Amsterdam we have conducted the study ‘Praktijk van Samenleven’ (Practice of Living Together). With Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and lyongo architecture, we have conducted a research focused on social cohesion and creating livable spaces in the neighborhoods of Amsterdam Zuidoost.
Amsterdam is growing, and approximately 60% of its residents now have a migration background. It is important that everyone—regardless of origin, culture, or religion—can continue to connect. This research helps the City of Amsterdam improve policy and strengthen social cohesion, particularly in Zuidoost, but also as an example for other neighborhoods.
Theory
The research builds on the Becoming a Minority (BaM) project (2019–2024) by Prof. Maurice Crul and Frans Lelie. They developed the Integration in Diversity (ID) theory, which sheds new light on integration in superdiverse cities. The theory shows that integration is not only about “settling in” (of the newcomer), but also about how all groups meet each other (including native Dutch people) and build relationships. The BaM-study shows that the design of buildings and public spaces plays a significant role in this. Social interaction doesn’t happen automatically. An inclusive living environment requires strengthening both the physical space (design and layout) and the social processes (collaboration, shared activities).
ID theory distinguishes several resident groups, depending on their attitudes toward diversity and how they embody it in their daily lives. In this study, we focus on two opposing groups from the theory: ID groups 3 and 7, or the “connectors” (3) and the “disconnecters” (7).
Approach
Two neighborhoods were selected: Venserpolder and the K-Towers, both located in Amsterdam Zuidoost. This district is characterized by its great diversity of cultures. In these two neighborhoods, an average of around 80% of residents have a migration background, considerably higher than the city average of 60%.
Within these neighborhoods, two types of residential buildings were selected: apartment buildings and residential towers. These housing types illustrate stacked and elevated living in the city – a type of housing that the municipality of Amsterdam, like other Dutch cities, is increasingly using to accommodate the growing population in a densifying city. The research team began in Venserpolder in February 2025 and in the K-towers in May 2025.
Read the publication
In total, we conducted approximately 130 surveys and 70 interviews to determine what makes living together pleasant or unpleasant. A key conclusion is the importance of “connectors.” A neighborhood only feels like home when you feel connected to others. This is partly due to residents who encourage this and actively connect. Both Venserpolder and the K-towers potentially have a significant group of “connectors.” However, their efforts are hampered by the spatial layout. While Venserpolder lacks a human scale in the public space, the four K-towers have a dysfunctional layout of the semi public spaces.
Each neighborhood faces different challenges, both social and spatial. We want to emphasize that the physical measures will only be effective if the social problems are also addressed. That is why in phase 2 of the project, we will identify the physical and social interventions, together with all consortium partners, and implement solutions in selected housing blocks. Initial discussions with the housing associations have already begun.
View the full study here (in Dutch).
