Binnenstadscampus NUMBER 1 | OCTOBER 2014 | FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS Working in Archeo Hotspots The new a glimpse behind the the city centre archaeological scenes University Library a logistical challenge a mix of new-build and historic buildings p.2 p. 3 p.4 Years ago, the UvA decided to concentrate its faculties on open city campuses. ‘That proximity is Clustering benefits a great advantage for students, lecturers and staff. When you’re close together, it’s easier to work together and that’s good for teaching and research,’ says Hans Amman, vice­president of the Executive teaching and research Board at the UvA/AUAS ‘Clustering is also more Applied Sciences (AUAS) under cost-efficient, and on an organi- his belt, Amman is confident sational level things are easier to of success. ‘For example, we’re arrange,’ Amman adds. ‘Another setting clear agreements with advantage is that the City Centre the builders. We’ve appointed Campus emphasises our being an area manager and we’re a part of the city. That’s good communicating as much as for the economy: a university possible about the progress and attracts enterprise and the completion of the construction highly skilled.’ This campus will work. The City Centre Campus eventually become the home mainly involves internal base for researchers, students renovations, which fortunately and staff at the Faculty of reduces the noise disturbance Humanities (FGw) and for the somewhat.’ Building is of course new University Library. not a goal in its own right. I’d rather invest in people than Considerate construction bricks, but sometimes you have According to Amman, the City to. A university needs good Centre Campus will be a jewel facilities. And the old buildings in the University’s crown: an no longer met our requirements, inspiring, open city campus with including health and safety beautiful historic buildings that requirements.’ fit their purpose. ‘I’m the first to acknowledge that construction work is a nuisance. But we’re ‘A university attracts trying to be very considerate to the neighbourhood.’ With the enterprise and the highly experience of the Roeterseiland skilled’ Campus and the Amstel Campus of the Amsterdam University of Hans Amman INTRODUCING… Additional information Chérie van der Meer The University of Amsterdam Chérie van der Meer is the area manager for the City Centre Campus. ‘I’m the first point of contact for everyone involved is building its City Centre with the development of the campus, from students to staff, Campus in and around the local residents, the municipality and contractors. Binnengasthuis premises, one of the UvA’s four open My role is to manage and balance the needs of the different stake- city campuses. By clustering holders. I create the link between the project and the neighbourhood. related academic disciplines, I’m very open in every discussion I have with people. Mutual under- the UvA hopes to strengthen standing and trust are fundamental. We may not always agree, but my links within the university aim is to work together on finding solutions. Of course it can be and encourage collaboration tricky at times. For instance, I get many requests to have disruptive both within the institution construction work not carried out at certain times. Students want to and beyond with companies, be able to study in peace, staff don’t want to have their work disrup- governments and civil society ted, café owners don’t want their customers having to abandon the outdoor terrace during lunch, and local residents don’t want to be organisations.The City woken up by noise. If the UvA met every request, nothing would get Centre Campus will be the built. That’s why we have to weigh up everyone’s interests. At certain home base for the Faculty of times the UvA will try to meet the demands of staff and students, Humanities (FGw). and at other times it will the turn of local residents or business www.campus.uva.nl owners to have their demands met.’ Follow us on Twitter Any questions or complaints? Chérie van der Meer can be contacted by phone Chérie van der Meer (r) speaking with @UVABinnenstad or email on working days from 9.00 – 17.00 (and in urgent cases outside of Mas Fopma of the Faculty of Humanities these hours) on 06 2115 5032 or [email protected] PAGE 1 (CONTINUED) IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD Future As well as investing in better facilities for students and staff, the UvA is also investing in the area surrounding the buildings and in an underground bicycle parking facility, which will benefits the streetscape. Amman is optimistic about the future. ‘Higher education is constantly developing. Soon we’ll have our real estate sorted out, which is reassuring, but then there will be new challenges. We’re already thinking about those. For example, we’re investing in collaboration with strategic partners in the area, such as the Royal Nether- lands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and VU University Amsterdam, the private sector and the municipality. Together, we can raise our profile within Europe. That’s important, because we’re going to become more dependent on Europe for income.’ Behind archaeological scenes On 24 September a trial was launched for an ArcheoHotspot Excavation of Binnengasthuis premises in the Allard Pierson Museum: a space in the museum where The UvA students and archaeologists working at the Hotspot are visitors can see archaeologists at work. Wim Hupperetz, collaborating with the association for archaeology volunteers, the director of the UvA’s archaeological museum, explains this city archives at De Bazel, and Diachron. Diachron, an archaeo- national initiative. logical consultancy, and Amsterdam’s Bureau of Monuments & Archaeology will be carrying out an excavation at the ‘Many people are interested in archaeology, but it’s a profession Binnengasthuis premises next year, where the new university library that mostly takes place behind closed doors. With the Hotspot, will stand. ABOUT PROF. HANS AMMAN we want to make it more visible. Visitors can see how an archae- Amman, who has been at the ologist investigates and restores materials such as fragments and Entrance to the Hotspot is free, with Hupperetz inviting everyone UvA and AUAS since February, bones, and how you might separate a sieving sample. They can to drop in sometime. It’s open six days a week, during usual was born and raised in ask questions, there are lots of objects on display and there are opening hours. ‘The official opening is on 10 December, and until Amsterdam and lived and drawings where you can see how an archaeologist records a find. then we’re operating as a trial. And when the excavation of the worked there for 43 years. For children, there are crates of fragments that they can explore.’ Binnengasthuis premises starts, we’ll be sure to report on it,’ he Following a few diversions to promises. Eindhoven and Utrecht, he’s Personal finds back in his own ‘natural habitat’. Hupperetz is enthusiastic about the space. ‘Anyone can come to the Volunteers needed His areas of responsibility Hotspot with their own finds. We can help date them. It’s a way for The Allard Pierson Museum is still looking for volunteers for the ArcheoHotspot. include general operational local residents to discover things about their own neighbourhood. You don’t need to be an archaeology graduate. An affinity with the subject will management, ICT, finance and And for staff and students to learn about their current or future suffice. Enquire at the museum, or at [email protected] real estate. place of work. At certain times, visitors can Skype with archae- ologists working on an excavation. It might be in Amsterdam, but it could be in Egypt or Greece, too.’ The UvA is part of the city Fred Kramer is a board member of the Friends of the view, too. One area of attention responsible position with regard Amsterdam City Centre Association (VVAB). He’s been is the screen on the front of the to the future use of buildings following the plans for the City Centre Campus since 1999. new-build. ‘It needs to be subtle, sold as part of the construction ‘But I only really got involved through my role as a councillor so it doesn’t distract from the of the City Centre Campus. for the City Centre district.’ historic building.’ ‘They shouldn’t just go to the highest bidders, such as hotel Kramer has a special bond Transparency Social responsibility developers. Other options with the UvA: he studied Child ‘I’m not a councillor anymore ‘The VVAB’s primary focus is should be considered. These Development and Education now, but I am a VVAB board protected city vistas and the might include using them for at the UvA, and worked there member. We’re very happy with historic city centre, but we student accommodation or for 30 years. ‘It surprised me the proposed design for the also look at how buildings are secondary education, to help that the UvA clung for so long library. The inner courtyard is used. Quality of life in the city ensure mixed development in Fred Kramer to the idea of demolishing being beautifully covered with shouldn’t be affected by the the city centre.’ and rebuilding on the a transparent construction. volume of tourists, for example.’ Binnengasthuis premises, when The historic buildings are According to Kramer, the Open relationship for fostering links between there was so much opposition being carefully restored and UvA needs to adopt a socially An open city campus does students.’ The VVAB will from local residents, staff, supplemented with new appeal to Kramer.