Station Area Amsterdam Muiderpoort

An ambition document

With this question in mind, Vervoerregio Amsterdam (the Amsterdam Transport Region) commissioned the landscape architects at BoschSlabbers and the architects at ZJA Architects & Engineers to draw up an ambition document outlining goals for 2040. Its purpose is to define the direction and main themes for developments to be realized over the coming decades. Essential to creating such a document is that all parties directly involved in the area share their information and ideas from the outset and engage with the process. The aim is to create a future vision that all cooperating partners – Vervoerregio Amsterdam, the Municipality of Amsterdam, Bureau Spoorbouwmeester, NS, ProRail, and GVB - can support.

Architectural and cultural-historical value

Before proposing large-scale changes and additions, it was necessary to determine the value and usability of the area and its buildings. Station Amsterdam Muiderpoort is a cohesive ensemble of infrastructure and buildings in a sober, modernist-functionalist style, designed by architects H.G.J. Schelling and J. Leupen, who also designed Amsterdam Amstel Station.

During World War II, station Amsterdam Muiderpoort was the departure point for about 11,000 Jewish Dutch citizens deported to Westerbork and the extermination camps in the East. A memorial on Oosterspoorplein commemorates this. Any future plans must respect the monument and cultural-historical significance of station Amsterdam Muiderpoort.

Analysis

Forkstation Amsterdam Muiderpoort was designed for a car-centric city with far fewer travelers. Over the decades, its importance as a transfer hub has steadily increased. The station and its surroundings have undergone various modifications to accommodate this growth. The station building has lost its original function, and access to platforms has been moved from the main building to underpasses—effectively splitting the station into two, each with its own hard-to-find entrance. Bicycle parking now dominates much of the public space and even parts of the station building. To bring clarity and coherence, and allow for more useful and pleasant functions, an underground bicycle garage for about 3,000 bikes is needed. A feasibility study by Movares was already conducted in 2023.

The station’s current greatest issue is its chaotic state. The lack of cohesion, poor visibility, and absence of attractive features make the area feel uninviting. Platform access points are hard to locate, and the public space is worn and neglected.

Future Guidelines

What is the vision for this station’s future? The original role of the station building as a central hub is no longer feasible due to the increased complexity and passenger flows. Future coherence will be achieved by giving Oosterspoorplein a central role once again, making it as comfortable and legible as possible. That means clear sightlines showing where to find trains, buses, trams, and the bike garage—supported by effective signage. Wider and clearly visible platform entrances are essential.

Equally vital is reducing motor traffic and redesigning cycle routes. To be an efficient and pleasant transfer hub, pedestrian routes must be spacious and easily recognizable. Also important is creating a strong visual and spatial connection with the surrounding neighborhood—its shops, cafés, and cultural institutions.

The goal is to turn station Amsterdam Muiderpoort into a lively environment that attracts people during the day and evening. This requires restoration of the station building and a high-quality redesign of the public space. The square should become green, open, and inviting, offering a mix of social and quiet spots. Color contrasts in the paving can help create coherence and clarity, with a clear distinction between "inside" and "outside" spaces, between functional and recreational areas.

Safety and functionality are not the only markers of quality. A place for people to spend time must meet new standards today: greenery and water features to promote well-being and cooling, and ecological landscaping of the railway embankments and borders to enhance urban biodiversity. The area must also be easily and freely accessible for people with visual or other impairments.

The core idea in the ambition document is that station Amsterdam Muiderpoort should become an efficient and comfortable public transport hub that enriches its surroundings—attracting people who come to shop, meet, eat, work temporarily, or simply relax and people-watch in a pleasant, green setting. Just as much as for the people, the space should also accommodate plants, birds, and insects.