This year marks 25 years since the realisation of the Westergasfabriek terrain in Amsterdam, designed by Mecanoo together with Gustafson Porter + Bowman.
From the outset, Westerpark was not a top-down transformation. It was shaped through active dialogue with local communities who advocated for a green, public future for the former industrial site. Their vision helped steer the project away from purely infrastructural or commercial redevelopment towards a park rooted in everyday life.
“Since its creation, Westerpark has been a place where people can freely enjoy its charm and make it part of their everyday lives. Visitors can relax by the various waterside areas, enjoy outdoor markets and concerts, meet friends at the long-standing cinema or café, and children can make use of the sports facilities and crèche. Thoughtfully designed around existing buildings and the character of the local area, with diverse plantings, it offers versatile spaces that can be enjoyed on both a large and intimate scale.” - Yukiko Nezu, Architect and Designer.
What emerged is more than a park. It is a living cultural landscape where heritage and new uses coexist: from independent cinemas and artist studios to festivals, cafés and public events. Over time, the Westergas area has become a catalyst for local identity, supporting creative initiatives and fostering a strong sense of ownership among its users.
Sustainability was embedded early on. Rather than removing contaminated soil, it was carefully reshaped within the site to form a new topography. And in a symbolic shift, solar panels placed on the former gas plant structure marked the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy as early as 2000. Today, Westerpark continues to evolve: open, adaptive and deeply connected to its community. A metropolitan park with a neighbourhood heart.