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De Uithof, history of a university campus,
early 1970s
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| 1970 |
In October
1970, J.A. Kuiper finalized a draft 'bestemmingsplan' (a
formal planning document under Dutch law) based on the 1969
masterplan. Unfortunately the plan never lost its draft
status, so it lacked legal authority. Supervising curator
M.
Ruppert (Dutch only) left the university and due to the
lack of strong initiative, the group of architects ended
their free consultations on the planning of 'De Uithof'. |
| 1971 |
Due to democratic changes within the
university the planning process slowed down and was discussed
at great lengths. Two external factors caused the building
activities to come to a complete standstill. First of all,
budget cuts made the Biesheuvel
Cabinet to order a
'bouwstop' (formal ban on building activities) and secondly
a controversy with the city of Utrecht arose concerning
the 'bestemmingsplan'. The city council found a way to introduce
a possibility of building houses in 'De Uithof' to which
the university fiercely objected. Progress was frustrated
entirely and after 10 years the development of 'De Uithof'
effectively stopped. |
| 1972 |
The plans for building houses threatened
the university's growth potential and limited the number
of possibilities to build laboratories. During 1972 much
paper was produced and many people involved were released
of their duties. To end the status quo, a steering committee
consisting of influential politicians and high-ranking civil
servants was formed, chaired by the Queen's Commisionar of
the province of Utrecht and including representatives of
the four cities that were involved. The idea was to establish
a form of regional authority for 'De Uithof'. Consensus was
not reached. |
| 1973 |
In 1973 the argumentation for university
growth in 'De Uithof' was jeopardized. The university counsil
-now formally empowered- proclaimed itself to be against
moving the entire university to 'De Uithof'. Counsil and
board held opposing views. Radical alternatives were considered,
even to the point that the university were to be regionalized
with locations in the neighbouring towns of 'Amersfoort',
'Nieuwegein', 'Zeist', 'Culemborg, 'Houten', 'Maarssen',
etc. These suggestions were seriously introduced by reputable
external advisors ! |
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| These digitalia are best
viewed in Century Gothic. |
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