The Randstad: Compacting the multicentric city The effect of densification on public space utilization in the Randstad.

Abstract

The Randstad region, home to the Netherlands’ four largest cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht), is undergoing rapid urban transformation in response to intensifying population growth and limited land availability. To manage this pressure, municipalities have adopted compact city strategies aimed at increasing urban density, minimising sprawl, and enhancing sustainability. While compact city principles have long influenced Dutch planning, their large-scale implementation is now reshaping urban form and function, particularly the role and experience of public space.

Urban densification, as driven by compact city policy, affects the use and perception of public space across four case study neighbourhoods in the ‘big four’: Ruys de Beerenbrouckbuurt (Amsterdam), Katendrecht (Rotterdam), Rivierenbuurt-Noord (Den Haag), and Tolsteeg-Rotsoord (Utrecht). Research has been done on how densification interacts with spatial accessibility, social practices, and the lived experience of urban environments. Findings reveal that while densification can enhance access and diversify public space usage, it also introduces challenges, particularly around declining greenery, strained infrastructure, and compromised safety at street level. These issues are compounded by emotional and social divides between existing and incoming residents, reflecting the complex social terrain of densifying cities. Socio-demographic factors, including age, income and education, as well as civic engagement, were found to significantly shape how individuals experience and perceive these spatial changes.

Densification alone does not guarantee vibrant or inclusive public spaces. Success lies in integrating physical design with socially responsive strategies, including meaningful participation processes that engage diverse residents. Policy must go beyond physical targets to address the relational and experiential dimensions of urban life. A forward-looking compact city approach must be considerate about the social fabric it is reshaping, to ensure that public spaces remain accessible, inclusive, and genuinely liveable.