Achtse Baan

A speculative design concept responding to the challenge of mobility in the northern district of Eindhoven: Achtse Barrier.

This project is now archived and was part of DDW21

This project is part of
The Embassy of Mobility

Achtse Trein

Piotr Szczesniak

Achtse Baan is above all about quality of life, creating an inclusive neighborhood with the right mix of facilities, greenery, wildlife. Through three main themes; wild nature, technological sobriety and social resilience Bygg explores the vast spatial possibilities in the Achtse Barrier.

Wild Nature

Inclusive design means integrating a non-human perspective into the design process. Achtse Barrier will offer a complex network of wild nature to reintroduce permanent or migrating species into the neighborhood. The artificialization of soils contributes to the destruction of natural environments, and ecosystems and can worsen the impacts of climate change, creating more extreme climate episodes. We propose to reclaim some territories and to connect natural pathways for wild animals and, why not, bring the storks back in Eindhoven for the summer.

Technological sobriety

This project questions the usage of individual cars in the neighbourhood and proposes to redraw the street and the entire neighbourhood for more sober use of technology. Studies have shown a rebound effect of energy consumption due to technological progress. New technologies deployed without a clear strategy and understanding of the ecological impact can have a disastrous impact on our planet and societies. We propose a shared mobility system applied by neighbourhoods, in the hands of the local community. By creating hubs in key locations, we provide smart transportation solutions for people and for goods in short distances to everyone.

Social resilience

A connected society should not become a society of control and manipulation. The social control set up by algorithms can only create fear and produce a divided community. Fransebaan creates a ring inside the district. Bygg introduces a slow-moving platform: De Achtse Trein. Including all facilities needed along this pathway, this train will deliver each and everyone at a certain moment throughout the week. If you can’t go to the city, the city comes to you! In a slow rhythm, Achtse Trein introduces a new heartbeat for the Achtse Barrier.