1. Eleven guiding principles for
Leiden’s Singelpark design
Based on the brainstorm session
with Stadslab Leiden, local residents
and organisations in Leiden
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2. 2 Singelpark Leiden
Introduction
Stadslab Leiden
tadslab Leiden, founded in 2009, is a network of Leiden’s
‘creative class’. These are people who voluntarily lend
their professional expertise to help make Leiden a more
vibrant, cultural, creative, innovative and competitive city.
Professionals from various disciplines (such as architects,
artists, scientists, communication professionals, etc.)
work together to develop ideas and projects including
the revitalisation of Leiden’s city squares and plazas, the
design of a swimming pool in the canals, the production of an annual news-
paper about knowledge and culture, the transformation of Leiden’s main
shopping street Breestraat into the most attractive street in the city, the co-
operation between the numerous festivals and events in Leiden, the presence
of Leiden on the Internet, and so on. The foundation was initiated by two
concerned neighbours and the network has grown to over 900 volunteers in
the past two and a half years. These are all people who want to help Leiden
realise it’s untapped potential.
On December 7th 2011, Stadslab won the National Prize for Best Volunteer
Organization (category Innovation). Stadslab’s story is being spread around
The Netherlands and abroad to the Prime Minister, members of Parliament,
the Royal Family, mayors, councilmen and city developers in other jurisdic-
tions.
In 1998, one of Stadslab’s founders started a local resident initiative which
envisioned the development of Leiden’s city centre, calling it Quartier Leyden.
The vision was divided into a two-track policy: the active conservation of the
historic aspects of the city and the creation of a new, innovative and crea-
tive area (on the northeast edge of the city centre). Both areas would be
connected by parks and a promenade along the seven ‘singels’ (the seven
canals which make up the historical defensive ring around the old city). This
idea was adopted by the City Council and is now a leading principle in the
(re)development of the city centre. When the City of Leiden announced the
budget of €9.3 million for a park around these seven ‘singels’ which form a
ring around the city centre, Stadslab Leiden formed a Team Singelpark in or-
der to support the City of Leiden in the realisation of the Singelpark. It is, af-
ter all, a high profile project which deserves a high quality design and vision.
S

3. Singelpark Leiden 3
Stadslab
Leiden and the
Singelpark
n January 18th 2012, Stadslab Leiden invited residents,
local organisations and anyone who was interested in
the Singelpark to a brainstorm session. The question was
simple: “What do you want the Singelpark to be?” Over
200 people attended and enthusiastically came up with
over 500 ideas for the Singelpark design. Brainstorm
groups were organised around themes: ‘history’, ‘water’,
‘sports’, ‘playgrounds’, ‘green & science’, ‘art & culture’,
‘marketing & tourism’, ‘neighbours & public management’, ‘promenade’ and
‘fundraising’. Even more suggestions were sent via e-mail and social media
such as Twitter.
The Singelpark Team has made the results of the brainstorm event available
in two useable forms: The entire palette of ideas per theme can be found on
the website (see www.singelpark.nl). On a more abstract level, The Team
has consolidated all of the ideas into 11 ‘guiding principles’ for the Singelpark
design, to be used by the designers of the park. Luckily this was not entirely
difficult because of the broad consensus within the various brainstorm
groups that the park should be of a quality that will benefit our city, our resi-
dents (the Leidenaren) and visitors now and for generations to come. We are
enthusiastic about developing our ‘singels’ into the longest, most attractive
and most exciting city park in The Netherlands.
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4. 4 Singelpark Leiden
1. Living breathing lung for Leiden
The Singelpark should be an open GREEN space.
The park should be a continuous green park encircling Leiden’s city centre,
providing residents the room to breathe in the most densely built city in The
Netherlands. There is currently a lack of significant parks and gardens within
the centre, despite Leiden’s rich horticultural history. (Leiden has the oldest
and arguably the most important Hortus Botanicus in The Netherlands. This
botanical garden was built in 1593 and is located along the Singelpark).
2. Of the people and for the people (of Leiden!)
The Singelpark should be first and foremost
a park for all the residents of Leiden.
The park is for all ages, all cultures, all interest groups and everyone else
who lives, works and visits the melting pot we call Leiden. The park should
be such a highlight that tourists will not leave Leiden without visiting the
Singelpark. And in order to guarantee the continuing high quality through-
out the years, we are in the process of forming the Friends of the Singelpark
Foundation which will work together with the City to manage and maintain
the Singelpark in the future.
3. Without the “Singel” there is no “park”
The 6 kilometre-long BLUE ‘singel’ should be
the leading element within the GREEN Singelpark.
No other city in the world still has a canal of this size around its historic city
centre. We are proud of the water in our city and use it all year long: we
swim, we sail, we skate and we enjoy watching others doing the same. There
should always be a chance to experience the water along the entire park,
either visually or physically.
4. Rings, routes and round trips
There should be numerous short distance and
long distance options around the Singelpark.
The Singelpark is the only space in the city centre where one can find a long
continuous stretch of recreational (green) space. We love the idea of be-
ing able to simply follow our noses for six kilometres while walking, running,
cycling, (inline) skating and sailing a ‘rondje Singels’ (a round trip). Connec-
tions and bridges will be needed in some areas to complete the entire route
and there should be possibilities for smaller routes which combine the park
experience on both sides of the ‘singel’. Numerous theme routes (e.g. history,
culture, nature, sport) could also combine the activities available in and out-
side of the city with the park and invite visitors to discover the rich history of
our ‘singels’.
11 Guiding
principles
for the
Singelpark
design

5. Singelpark Leiden 5
5. From façade to façade
The Singelpark should stretch from the façade on the inside
of the ‘singel’ to the façade on the outside of the ‘singel’.
It is essential that the water itself is the centre of the green space we will call
Singelpark. This approach respects the character and history of the ‘singel’
and will provide room on both sides of the water for promenades, green,
recreation and circulation of vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
6. The park trumps traffic
Where park and (motorised) traffic meet,
the design of the park should prevail.
The car is welcome in the park but should behave as a guest. There are a
number of locations along the route where traffic in and out of the city must
cross the Singelpark. This is not a problem but deserves extra design con-
siderations in order to provide a safe environment for pedestrians without
compromising / breaking the character of the park. The Singelpark should
act as a green boundary between the low-traffic historic city centre and the
outskirts.
7. Unravel and reveal Leiden’s rich history
Leiden’s history is based around its ‘singels’ and city centre
and the Singelpark should tell its compelling story.
Leiden was once the most important city in Holland, and Leidenaren love to
share their history. History is, above all, change. There are treasures to be dis-
covered along the route and stories to be told where layer upon layer of his-
torical gems have transformed Leiden into the city it is today. A ring around
the entire city centre is a perfect opportunity to tie it all together. Also, the
park itself must respect the historic transformations that shaped the former
defensive line in the course of time.
8. Singelpark as connection instead of barrier
The relationship between the city centre, the water and the
neighbourhoods outside the ring should be strengthened
with the introduction of the Singelpark.
The Singelpark is not an edge between the city centre and the outskirts, but
a connection between the two, with the water as the focal point and uniting
factor. The’singel’ belongs to both sides and the park, with its own character,
should not be seen as a separate Leiden entity but an element that enhances
Leiden as a whole. The designer is challenged to give form to the relationship
between the physical, historical and social character of the city centre on the
one side and the neighbourhoods on the other. Also there should be connec-
tions to nature (green and blue) outside of town.
9. It is one “single” park, but not an amusement park
The park should provide spaces to accommodate permanent activities, oc-
casional activities, spontaneous activities and no activities at all.
We have more ideas than we have acres of park. However, we do not want
the Singelpark to become one big amusement park. It should be above all a
park. The design should be one continuous identifiable park where various
functions / activities / spaces can occur over the entire length, with enough
room in between to simply provide green and relaxation for the residents and
visitors. There should be places where activity is concentrated AND places of
contemplation. There should be areas with designated functions AND areas
with room for spontaneous activity.
10. Singelpark as a brand
The design of the Singelpark should be so strong and identifiable that it can
become a marketing tool for further funding, awareness and support.
To reach the level of quality we envision for the Singelpark, we will need ad-
ditional funding. Potential investors will only invest if they know about the
Singelpark, believe in its potential and are enthusiastic in sharing the dream
of realising it. The longest, most beautiful and most exciting city park in The
Netherlands, located along the largest intact city fortifications of Europe, is
a start. But the design needs to convey this message in its ambitions, quality
and unique design. This is why we have to work on the Singelpark as a firm
and inspiring brand, with its own visual identity, publications etc. Ideas in
which the design and the design process itself can support our brand build-
ing and fund raising efforts are encouraged.
11. Make us proud!
The Singelpark is an unique opportunity to boost the liveability, attractive-
ness and physical quality of the city now and in the future. We believe that a
great Singelpark design can be a major turning point in the attitude towards
city development in Leiden. A number of large ‘ambitious’ projects die in the
planning stages because of a lack of money, management and/or social sup-
port. Building the Singelpark is more than building a park: we will be building
city-wide pride, self-consciousness, social cohesion and confidence that it is
possible to achieve ambitious, unique and high quality projects in Leiden!

6. 6 Singelpark Leiden