The Deception of Renewal

Visiting medieval towns in the Netherlands is a recurring activity for me, done annually, as I seek out textures for my work. Sometimes I visit a town multiple times, like Oudewater. I'm drawn to its peace, surroundings, and the unique 17th-century South Holland style. However, there are Dutch towns rich in architecture suitable for study and texture creation that I haven’t yet visited.

Currently focused on old city gates, this week's agenda included visits to Kampen and Zwolle. These old Hanseatic trading cities once boasted beautiful entrance gates. While I often research these locations before visiting, nothing compares to seeing them in person.

Approaching Kampen by car, the journey to the city center feels as if you're on the wrong path. The stark, lifeless buildings starkly contrast the beauty hidden within the old city walls. While the remaining gates are a sight to behold, it’s bittersweet to see them surrounded by modernization, like tiny bastions resisting inevitable change.

On the other hand, arriving in Zwolle is even more unreal. Outside the city, one is met with depressingly uniform architecture, regardless of whether they're residences or businesses. To me, Zwolle epitomizes the unchecked modernization of the Netherlands. However, entering the old center and seeing the Sassen gate is a breath of fresh air, its grandeur unmatched. Despite occasional restoration scars, its medieval character remains. Eagerly, I go about my work, taking in the history of the old city center. There, remnants of the past can still be found, often unnecessarily restored. However, their origin hints at the soul that still exists.

Some towers that have survived modernism

Upon reaching the remains of what once was the Diezer gate, I pause. Now a ruin on a bridge, its shadowy figure stands next to a mobile fry stand, epitomizing contrast. From its looks, restoration attempts are evident, but given its remnants are all that's left, gratitude is in order.

A cold void where the Dieserpoort once stood

I spent a long time reflecting on the remnants of this gate. Its image haunted my thoughts, making me question why it intrigued me so. The gate, once an obstacle for 19th-century urban infrastructure, looks nothing like its historical depictions when viewed alongside old sketches of its surroundings. Is this loss regrettable?

After the French era, when the Netherlands broke free from French rule, it was time for renewal. With the rise of industrialization in neighboring countries and prevailing poverty at home, there was a strong desire for change. This promised renewal was eagerly anticipated. When I try to put myself in the shoes of those living at that time, I can understand how the grand creations of previous generations might seem like a painful reminder of the current poverty. The decaying gates, obstructing critical infrastructure points in the city and hindering progress, offered little hope for a prosperous future.

The dawn of a new era promised transformative change. The abolition of the fortress law in some cities paved the way for urban development. The grand structures of yesteryears were now cleared away. What was then termed as 'great renewal' eventually morphed into modernism, having profound implications for architecture and the arts. The promise of a brighter future and a break from the past must have been so compelling that it justified dismantling the masterpieces and replacing them with expansive roads. While 19th-century architecture still revered the old building traditions, with Pierre Cuypers as a notable example, architects like Berlage marked a definitive end to this. The new wave of architects abandoned centuries-old traditions, embedding modernism deep into Dutch soil.

Today, when one looks at the remnants of dutch medieval cities, traces of modernism are ubiquitous, steadily overshadowing the old without resistance. This invasive trend offers no pushback and will eventually fade away, as it thrives on its host - the very essence of beauty and heritage we cherish. The question is who will spearhead the initiative to label this invasive trend appropriately and implement the necessary corrective measures.

Early 19th-century building overtaken by a modernist parasite in the 21st century.m

It's never too late to recognize where things went wrong. Accepting and understanding this requires time. Architecture defines our identity and influences our behavior. It shapes our communities and our collective pride. I am confident that we will witness true renewal, which will begin by embracing what is genuine and authentic. Only then can we lay the foundation for genuine innovation.