As an architect and urban planner, Erick van Egeraat sees it as one of his most important tasks to find a balance between the original context of a city and its contemporary demands in such a way that they complement and reinforce each other: “My work relates to the cultural and historical contexts as a source of meaning. I aim to create sensual and intuitive solutions that correspond to a familiar language while evoking new, emerging sensations.” The European city is differentiated, multifunctional. It is the result of centuries of adding layer upon layer of city development, juxtaposing a complex mix of functions and styles. In this context, masterplanning and urban redevelopment are not so much a matter of style or taste, but mostly one of understanding the ambitions of a project and the different interests involved in it. Cities with a rich history in which great investments are driving forces need to approach their development with great care as well as great ambition. Through his experience with working in different cities all over Europe and the Russian Federation, Erick van Egeraat has become highly skilled in providing tailor-made solutions to such complex puzzles. He considers each city to have unique qualities that can be found in factors like heritage, density and structure. Optimizing these characteristics considerably enhances the quality of life a city provides, as well as its ability to differentiate and position itself on a local or even global level. His approach to urban planning is therefore to be specific, open minded, subtle and above all different.

Examples of this approach are the redevelopment strategy for Canning Town in London;, the New Holland mixed use development in the historic city centre of Saint Petersburg and the urban plan for the Oosterdok Island next to Amsterdam Central Station.

masterplan Projects: