The research aimed to show how the city could grow from its current size of around 230,000 residents to over 300,000 through the provision of more housing, mixed-use facilities, and green public spaces; and ultimately how the city could strengthen its position as the centre of “Brainport Eindhoven”, the leading innovation, technology, and research region in the Netherlands.

The research into the future development and supervision of Eindhoven city centre was split into three interconnected studies, each with a different focus. The Green Dip study focused on the application of greenery at all scales and levels to promote liveable places in the city centre. The Public Space study aimed to create a framework to develop the centre of Eindhoven as a coherent, recognizable, and continuous network of streets and sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists. Finally, the Intensification study elaborates a vision and guidelines on how to densify the city centre with diverse new typologies without losing the qualities that currently define the city of Eindhoven.

The Green Dip study addressed the fact that only 7.3% of Eindhoven’s city centre surface was green, whereas the area of the municipality outside of the city conversely is around 40% covered in green surfaces. The study suggests a radical change to this situation, proposing a “green dip” with local plant species with specific identities incorporated into public spaces and onto buildings at all levels. In addition to promoting liveable places for people and animals, this green dip could contribute to improving recreation provisions for residents and users, incorporate climate adaptation and biodiversity measures, and contribute to food or energy production. With this approach, Eindhoven would take on a new green identity, and the city centre would be a connector within the larger regional landscape network of Brabant. The city centre would become the heart of the Eindhoven National Park!