 |
De Uithof, history of a university campus,
late 1970s
|
| 1974 |
Agreement was
reached on the location of the faculties of Physics, Mathematics,
Veterinary Science, Dentistry and Medicine in 'De Uithof'.
Problematic were the increased student numbers for the Faculty
of Social Sciences. For this Faculty, a temporary facility
('Centrumgebouw Zuid', the present 'Langeveldgebouw') was
developed with the intention that after five years in 'De
Uithof', this Faculty could move back to the city centre.
The Faculties of Arts and Law were to remain in the city.
During these uncertain times several of the earlier building
projects were finished: the building for Exprimental Physics
(1974), 'Transitorium 3 ' (the present 'Kruytbuilding') opened
June 6th 1974 and on May, 13th 1975, Dentistry could officially
use its new building (the present 'Wentbuilding'. |
| 1975 |
From Jan 1st 1975, the entire area of
'De Uithof' formally belongs to the city of Utrecht only
(with the exception of a small pasture, which remained part
of 'Bunnik'). Within a few days it became clear that the
city wanted to end the planning dispute concerning 'De Uithof'
and started preparing a process of formal decision making.
The head of urban planning of the city of Utrecht immediately
used the preferred views of the University Counsil (plurilocation)
to his own needs. He introduced the idea of using part of
'De Uithof' for residential purposes. The consequences were
huge. Suddenly new discussion arose on the location of the
Faculty of Medicin and the Academic Hospital. In the 1969
masterplan, these were supposed to be development on
the south edge, but now the city wanted to build houses here.
An alternative medical location, more to the east, near the
Faculty of Veterinary Science was introduced by the bureau
of 'Kuiper & Associates.' An independent committe, chaired
by the former Minister of town and country planning, W.F.
Schut, adopted these new views. |
| 1976 |
Since the city of Utrecht did not participate
in this committee, some doubt was cast, but eventually the
cabinet made its final decision in 1976. The city council
as well as the University Board went along. The medical faculty
and hospital moved to the east, and were built here after
a number of years. |
| 1977 |
In August 1977 the Mayor and city administrators
agreed upon a draft set of leading priciples for the future
layout of 'De Uithof'. The university community was uncertain
and proposed to study a large number of variants. A planological
project team was installed and eventually 15 short term and
31 long term studies were carried out. |
| 1979 |
In March 1979, the project team published
the results of the studies and favoured long term study number
11. This study allowed for two residential areas, one near
Dentistry at the former location of Medicine and a second
near the 'Hoofddijk' fortification. Just over 7.000 people
could live in 'De Uithof'. The city council was positive,
but the university council panicked and revoked the 1973
decision for plurilocation. 'De Uithof' should again be considered
university territory without limitations to the expansion
of the university and no residential areas should be developed. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
| These digitalia are best
viewed in Century Gothic. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
