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exciting, powerful and resilient futures
Urbanism
Guided by an Experimental, Resilient, and Compassionate Vision, urbanism becomes a tool to think and act at all scales—from remarkable landscapes to adaptable cities and dynamic territories—driven by character, care, and collective ambition for communities and our shared planet.
Based on six Principles, our Urban Vision is driven by the desire to shape a future that is joyful, regenerative, and inclusive. We envision impactful, innovative worlds—places and projects that are site-specific, deeply responsive to their surroundings and spirit of place, yet capable of guiding meaningful change. We imagine future-proof environments that respect the boundaries of our planet while adapting to evolving needs.
We strive to create open and accessible spaces where all citizens can co-create and inhabit their envisioned futures. Applying an ever-curious, research and data-informed approach, we balance creative exploration with a deep understanding of how natural forces contribute to dynamic urban landscapes. By developing diverse scenarios and catalogues of solutions, our designs and strategies encourage interaction with stakeholders throughout the design process and long after implementation.
With an insatiable curiosity and a sense of joy in our work, we aim to craft welcoming urban landscapes that integrate nature, technology, and social life. Every intervention shapes the city not only as it is but as it needs to be. The current crisis demands a revolution, and we are here to build it—not just more cities, but better cities.
EXPERIMENTAL: Process-Driven
JOYFUL
Cities are often designed for efficiency rather than social connection. We disrupt conventional urbanism with radical ideas and provocative interventions, reshaping cities as dynamic, living systems. Ours are conceptual strategies that evolve, adapt, inspire joy, and drive change. We pursue iconic, compact landscapes that provoke extraordinary experiences where interaction is inevitable, and the city becomes a fun, playful, exploratory playground. Streets, rooftops, and public spaces are no longer passive—they are activated, layered, and socially impactful.
CURIOUS
Urban life is becoming increasingly complex, demanding innovation, data, and research-driven design to navigate its challenges. Our design work begins with research—we analyse, explore, and redefine. Our approach is data-driven, combining analytical precision with exploratory creativity to challenge conventional thinking. Through constant experimentation and deep research, we uncover bold, unconventional solutions that reshape urban possibilities. Our multidisciplinary expertise bridges architecture, technology, and social sciences, crafting innovative strategies that are both visionary and evidence-based.
Oosterwold, located in Almere, Netherlands, is a development spanning 43 km², where individual creativity knows no bounds. Structured by a framework which MVRDV designed, the area’s rural character is preserved while allowing for innovative and flexible individual development. The land is divided into 18% construction, 8% roads, 13% public green space, 2% water, and 59% urban agriculture.
At the heart of Oosterwold is the concept of Freeland—a radically liberated environment where residents have the freedom to design and build their own living spaces. Here, the principle of a playful, provocative, and unique approach was key. Residents were encouraged to create the homes of their dreams, but with freedom comes responsibility. The guiding principle remains—do whatever you like, as long as it doesn’t harm others.
MVRDV collaborated with Airbus, Bauhaus Luftfahrt, ETH Zurich, and Systra to conduct a research-driven exploration of the future of Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Research questions driving the study included: How will flying vehicles reshape our urban environments? How can we address challenges related to energy, sound, and safety? What protocols should be established with authorities to ensure their safe and harmonious integration? More importantly, how can UAM be leveraged to create more inclusive, future-proof cities?
Guided by this curiosity, MVRDV supported Airbus in developing strategic urban development scenarios that position UAM as an opportunity rather than a disruption. The study aimed to prevent the negative impacts that often accompany revolutionary transport technologies when they are introduced without thoughtful, long-term planning. Instead, the research underscores how UAM can be made inclusive and accessible, benefiting people from diverse backgrounds while encouraging regenerative, site-specific urban growth.
RESILIENT: Planet-Driven
FUTURE-PROOF
Cities are at the frontline of climate change—heat, flooding, biodiversity and resource depletion. Urban design can no longer be passive; it must be adaptive, scalable, and carbon-positive. We stand for design that can weather changing circumstances, creating flexible, resilient spaces that evolve with shifting conditions. Our approach is rooted in metabolic design, treating cities as living systems that cycle resources efficiently. By integrating circular principles, we minimize waste and maximize regeneration. Commitments to intangible sustainability goals aren’t enough—we create responsive, high-impact solutions that shape cities to meet both present demands and future challenges.
REGENERATIVE
Cities can no longer rely solely on technocratic fixes—they must embrace nature-based solutions to tackle rising environmental and social challenges. We don’t just add green; we design syvstemic, nature-centric cities where multi-species life can thrive. Our approach is holistic and ecological, weaving urbanism with living landscapes that regenerate rather than deplete. We create biodiverse environments that welcome the other-than-human, restoring and enriching ecosystems within the urban fabric. By integrating green, responsive systems, we move beyond coexistence toward true interdependence, where cities evolve as thriving, adaptive habitats for all life forms.
Sea2City in Vancouver, Canada, reimagines the city’s waterfront to address the challenges of rising sea levels. This research-driven vision transforms the coastline into a dynamic space, deeply connected to place, where urban life and nature coexist in harmony. By turning climate threats into opportunities, it sets a new standard for resilient, regenerative, and vibrant coastal living.
At its core, Sea2City isn’t just about protecting the city from water—it’s about embracing it. The design introduces playful, adaptable public spaces that shift with the tides, lush wetlands that act as natural flood defences, and elevated walkways offering stunning waterfront views. New buildings are designed to be flood-resilient, with raised foundations and flexible ground floors, while existing structures are retrofitted to withstand rising waters.
MVRDV’s masterplan transforms 35 hectares of former barracks and railyards in the centre of Bordeaux into a vibrant, site-specific neighbourhood. Rooted in the tradition of the European city, it is both an homage to history and a future-proof evolution—intimate, diverse, green, and dense.
A regenerative, holistic approach defines the urban plan, using the existing structures as a foundation for both buildings and public spaces. The design maximises nature-inclusivity, incorporating a vast variety of plant species and water features that cool the city in summer. Streets and squares are made porous, allowing them to absorb rainwater and mitigate flooding from the River Garonne.
COMPASSIONATE: Place & People-Driven
INCLUSIVE
Cities must do more than grow—they must open up. Today, access is unequal: increasing disparities between rich and poor, racial tensions, and exclusionary structures are increasingly problematic. We envision an open city—one that is accessible, equal, and inspirational for all. We design happy places that encourage connection, promote healthy lifestyles, and invite participation. Our approach emphasizes participation that harnesses the power of communities through dynamic, didactic processes. We mix programs, stack functions, and blur boundaries to create vibrant, mixed spaces where diversity is celebrated.
RESPONSIVE
Cities are not blank canvases—they are layered, historical, dynamic. Design must be contextual, site-specific, and connected to local culture, identity, and needs. We don’t impose; we integrate. Our approach is sensitive yet bold, shaping spaces that revitalize rather than replace. By analyzing each site, we pursue tailored, dynamic solutions that emphasize the intrinsic qualities. We blend historical narratives with forward-thinking strategies, ensuring our designs are scalable and adaptable over time. This results in integrated and connected urban environments that evolve with the city, ensuring long-term relevance.
One Green Mile in Mumbai reimagines 200 metres of underutilised space beneath a flyover, transforming it into a vibrant, site-specific public space. The design introduces essential amenities, greenery, and improved mobility, while establishing a strong visual identity. Beyond this singular intervention, it serves as a replicable, research-driven model for sustainable urban development, setting a new benchmark for revitalising underused spaces in Mumbai’s dense metropolitan landscape.
The project prioritises inclusivity, comfort, and accessibility, creating a welcoming environment for all. The first design objective is to enhance usability—integrating lush greenery, shaded areas, and noise-reducing elements to foster a peaceful urban retreat.
The Seoullo Skygarden by MVRDV reimagines a former elevated highway in Seoul, transforming it into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly space at the heart of the city.
Once a bustling overpass, the site has been playfully repurposed to address Seoul’s growing need for green spaces and pedestrian connectivity. The design retains the existing highway structure while introducing dynamic elements such as lush gardens, seating areas, and walkways. These features encourage public interaction, offering new perspectives of the city and turning infrastructure into a living, inclusive urban space.
The Skygarden integrates nature into the urban fabric, incorporating native plants and trees to promote biodiversity and mitigate the urban heat island effect. Accessibility is a priority, ensuring easy entry points for all visitors and making the elevated space welcoming and inclusive. Beyond greenery, the Skygarden serves as a crucial link between districts, strengthening community engagement and promoting sustainable mobility by prioritising walking over car use.
Experience Urbanism
GATE M West Bund Dream Center
Lucky Star
Co-living Design Study
One Green Mile
Dawn Bridge
Seoullo 7017 Skygarden
Hongqiao CBD
Almere Floriade 2022
TEDA Urban Fabric
Bjørvika Barcode
UPV Munich
Flight Forum
Nieuw Leyden
The Podium
Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI)
Hoowave Water Factory
Shenzhen Terraces
Project Gomila
Hyde Park
Hamburg Innovation Port
Traumhaus Funari
Westerpark West
Franklin Mitte
Almere Oosterwold