Almere Pampus Scenarios | Except Systemic Design

The city of Almere in the Netherlands faces vast expansion plans. Except supported the municipality with research-by-design, using the Orchid City framework to test different urban densities, housing-to-jobs ratios, and 12-minute neighborhood strategies for future-proof and resilient urban environments. In several phases, closely cooperating with Almere's city council, we produced innovative strategies that link job creation, livability, water and energy self-sufficiency, and circularity principles. The team communicated the work through data-driven analysis, first-person perspectives, and infographics to bridge stakeholder groups.

The Problem

Almere faces pressure to accommodate significant population growth while avoiding the mistakes of conventional Dutch expansion: car-dependent neighborhoods with limited local employment, poor self-sufficiency, and minimal ecological integration.

The challenge was to test multiple urban expansion scenarios through design, using data to reveal the consequences of different approaches for residents, the environment, and the local economy, before committing to any single direction.

Process

Orchid City framework application

Using the extensive Orchid City database, we linked different expansion scenarios to measurable outcomes in job creation, liveability, water and energy self-sufficiency, and circularity. This allowed the municipality to compare approaches based on evidence rather than intuition.

Research-by-design methodology

Multiple urban density and programmatic scenarios were developed and visualized. Each scenario was tested against 12-minute neighborhood principles, ensuring residents could access daily needs within walking or cycling distance.

Stakeholder communication

First-person perspectives and infographics translated complex data into accessible formats for diverse stakeholder groups, from city councillors to community representatives, enabling informed democratic decision-making.

Outcomes

Scenarios tested: Multiple; Different density and programmatic configurations compared
Neighborhood model: 12-minute; All daily needs accessible within walking or cycling distance
Framework: Orchid City; Data-driven development blueprint for future-proof expansion
Stakeholder reach: Cross-sector; Municipality, council, and community groups engaged through visual communication