NDSM-Werf

About

In 1894, the Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij (Dutch Shipbuilding Company) was established, in order to modernize shipbuilding in Amsterdam. In 1946, this organisation merged with the Nederlandsche Dok Maatschappij (Dutch Dock Company) to form the Nederlandsche Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij (Dutch Dock and Shipbuilding Company) – NDSM. [2]

Between the 1920s until the 1980s, the NDSM wharf was one of the biggest and most modern shipyards in the world, regularly launching impressive tankers from its slipways. Because the ships were built from scratch, a lively array of tradesmen, from steelworkers to carpenters, could be found around the docks of the 90 hectare site. In 1984, a combination of factors, including the oil crisis and rising competition from other parts of the world, made that the wharf had to close its doors. The borough Amsterdam-Noord of the Municipality of Amsterdam bought the site. Nowadays, five major buildings on the site have the status of protected national (industrial) heritage. [1;2]

After the shipbuilding activity ceased, this sprawling location – and its imposing backdrop of crane tracks, sheds and the gigantic slipway – became a home port for squatters and creative pioneers, who initiated bottom-up and self-governed development of the area into a cultural incubator zone. [2].

The NDSM wharf is a place of contrast. Processes of commercialisation are mixed with ideas of creative minds. One can find the offices of renowned national and international organisations, like HEMA, Viacom and Greenpeace, on the terrain, as well as a range of creative individuals and start-ups. Luxurious hotels and student housing are realised in close proximity of each other. In the area you will find restaurants, the biggest vintage market in the Benelux and sports facilities, as well as museums and workshops from artists and creative entrepreneurs. You will also come across a wide range of events, including large festivals as well as small scale exhibitions curated and programmed by Stichting NDSM-werf. [2;9] Furthermore, Stichting NDSM herleeft (‘NDSM Revived Foundation’) is active in the area. This foundation aims to document, conserve and valorise the history of the former wharves, and organises among others guided tours and historic exhibitions. [4] Moreover, BMB Ontwikkeling, the designated developer of the area, aims to realise 5000 residential units in the area, of which half has been realised already. [7]

Invited by the Municipality of Amsterdam, a process of greening of the area has started. Stichting NDSM-Werf is leading small scale initiatives that will aid sustainable practices in the area, while maintaining cultural heritage. The foundation has, together with community members, developed a ‘NDSM Playbook’, a guide that will be used to set up more small scale initiatives and experiments between 2020–2023. These initiative should strengthen the green, ecological or sportive image of the area, and are used as testing ground for definitive decisions of the Municipality on how to make the area more ecological sustainable. [8]

All in all, the NDSM-Werf is a lively location that is characterised by its rough edges and unconventional combinations. Developments are ongoing to create an unusual combination of living, working and leisure space where there is activity around the clock. [2;3]

Governance

The area has a history of self-management and bottom-up development, with the first initiatives emerging from squatters and artists taking over the derelict space after the shipbuilding activities ceased. Nowadays, a constellation of stakeholders and projects are active in the area. [2;9] Most of the site is owned by the district of Amsterdam-Noord of the Municipality of Amsterdam. Many of the development activities are delegated to other stakeholders. A few of the most prominent stakeholders are named below.

– Stichting NDSM-Werf is the curating organisation that leads all practical events and day to day running of the site. This foundation is responsible for the physical maintenance of the site (in cooperation with the Municipality of Amsterdam). It arranges the commercial and cultural programming of the wharf and acts as a cultural incubator by stimulating new creative projects. Stichting NDSM-Werf was founded in 2009 by the Municipality of Amsterdam, business association De Toekomst (founded by local artists and entrepreneurs) and Mediawarf B.V. (a development consortium of BMB ontwikkeling B.V. and Rovobel). The foundation has a board which sets out the strategic line and a executive team in charge of day to day operations. [2]

– BMB ontwikkeling B.V. is the delegated private estate developer on site. They are guiding the transformation into a mixed-use urban district, in which residential, leisure and business functions create an unconventional urban district with activity around the clock. [2;7]

– Stichting Kinetisch Noord is a foundation founded by artists in 2000. At the moment, the foundation manages the Scheepbouwloods or NDSM Looods (Shipbuilding shed), where it realises affordable working spaces and workshops to over 250 artists, designers and creative entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the shed is utilized as an event location, where spaces can be rent by both commercial and cultural parties.[5]

Business Model

Given the decentralized way in which developments take place, the financial structure of activities depends largely on the constellation of stakeholders part of specific activities [9]. Below, insight is provided into the way in which two prominent stakeholders generate income on site.

Part of the budget from Stichting NDSM-Werf comes from the municipal budget for maintenance of public space (€290.560 in 2019). Furthermore, the foundation has permission from the Municipality of Amsterdam, the owner of the terrain, to exploit the site with events. Moreover, subsidies are received for the cultural programming (e.g. in 2019 €306.847 from the ‘Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst’ (Amsterdam Fund for the Arts)). Furthermore, there is sponsoring and incidental subsidies from public and private funds, and income generated through the organisation of events. In total, Stichting NDSM-Werf generated an income of € 1.263.244 in 2019. Income generated is utilized to manage the foundation and for the cultural programming on site. [2;3]

Stichting Kinetisch Noord generates income through structural rent for workshops and workspace, as well as incidental rental of event spaces. Moreover, subsidies are utilized, among others, for renovations of the building. [5;6]