History of the
Amsterdam canals
How have the canals of Amsterdam been used in the past and present?
Throughout the ages, Amsterdam has shaped its character along the meandering canals and grand quay walls enveloping the city. Water, historically a vital catalyst for urban development, played a vital role in Amsterdam's growth. Utilizing the canals as both a sewage system and efficient transportation routes for centuries, the city's ascent is intricately woven into the fabric of these waterways. Serving as a testament to historical engineering brilliance, these iconic canals are inseparable from the city's essence, symbolizing not only Amsterdam's past but also its enduring spirit of innovation and resilience.
Current use
Today, many folks visit the city because its canals are a major draw. Each year, millions of tourists from around the world visit, hopping on boats to explore the city. Some folks have opted for houseboat living, strategically placing these floating homes along the canals to carve out more living space in the city. So, beyond being a picturesque attraction, these waterways have become a hub of activity, welcoming tourists, facilitating transport, and even providing a unique floating home experience for those who choose to reside on the canals.
Quay walls of Amsterdam
What is currently happening with the quay walls?
With the first quay wall in Amsterdam dating back from the 1500’s (Kade 2. 020, n.d.), some are now in bad shape and are in need of renovation. The municipality of Amsterdam is responsible for the quay walls, of which some have the priority of being renovated (Gemeente Amsterdam, n.d.). These renovations mainly need to happen to the wooden poles the wall is resting on which have been deteriorating over time. Repairing these walls, might open a window of opportunity, to not only restore and preserve their history, but to create sustainable, multi-functional quay walls.
Aquathermal Energy from Surface Water
What systems are there and how do they work?
There are two distinct types of TEO systems: open and closed. In a closed system, a heat exchanger is placed in the surface water, ensuring that the liquid within the system remains separate from the surface water itself. The heat pump then raises the temperature of the heat, which is subsequently transferred to the building.
On the other hand, open TEO systems draw surface water, capturing the heat and releasing the water back into the waterbody. Similar to closed systems, the heat pump raises the temperature of the heat, which is then conveyed into buildings. Closed systems are typically implemented on a smaller scale compared to open systems, and they can be installed per house or building.
To store heat underground, Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) is employed. This allows for the extraction of heat in summer and the retrieval of cold in winter, enabling its storage for future use.
"Thermal energy from surface water could offer a solution to the energy
transition and could meet 40% of the built environment's heat demand"
(CE Delft, 2018)
Framework for research output
In the past 4 months, we conducted expert interviews and hosted co-creation sessions at the AMS Institute and TU Delft to explore challenges and solutions for implementing TEO-systems in Amsterdam's quay walls. The outcomes were thoroughly examined within the framework below.
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Implementing TEO-systems in Amsterdam encounters dual challenges. Firstly, a lack of urgency among stakeholders regarding time and space constraints impedes progress. Secondly, uncertainties about future scenarios compound these issues, contributing to a persistent loop of setbacks. Obstructive laws involve environmental impacts on water quality, restrictions on energy sharing, and a 'first come, first serve' permit system. Missing regulations pertain to energy ownership, system management, and establishing a just, sustainable business case to avoid conflicts of interest.
Breaking free from this cycle necessitates heightened stakeholder awareness, pilot projects, and comprehensive monitoring and research. This proactive strategy aims to instigate changes in laws and regulations, facilitating implementation and unlocking new opportunities.
Future Scenarios
What are the future scenarios for the implementation of TEO-systems in the quay walls of Amsterdam?
Bad Scenarios
Good Scenarios
(un)Prepared infrastructure
Quay walls in Amsterdam were quickly- and structurally well fixed. However, the management of the energy transition has been neglected, resulting in scattered individual systems, leading to an overloaded energy grid.
The integration of thoughtful design of the renovated quay walls allow seamless and standardized integration of TEO-systems. The streamlined installation process avoids cluttering streets and prevents any strain on the energy grid due to the well-executed integration with the existing infrastructure.
(in)Justice
TEO-systems in 2050’s Amsterdam are exclusively for the wealthiest, leaving others in the cold. The privileged wielded control over TEO, determining access to cooling, heating, and comfort, forming a monopoly that highlights the shadows of inequality.
The government inquired people for their perception of justice during the whole implementation of TEO-systems and monitored the factors on which this appeared to depend. Water laws and regulations have also been revised, resulting in TEO-systems being owned by different organizations who are now able to distribute the energy between neighbourhoods.
(anti-)Environmentalism
TEO-systems gained immense popularity in the wealthier districts of Amsterdam. This ended up triggering an ecological catastrophe in these areas, as the constant discharge of cold water (and differences in temperature between neighbourhoods) proved to be harmful to aquatic life.
Charting a sustainable course for the future demands well-informed decisions, with law and regulations wielding critical influence. In breaching new frontiers with TEO-systems, our trajectory towards a sustainable future hinge on a balanced interplay of law, justice, environmental stewardship, and efficient organization.
This is the Quay of the Future
The national association of water boards created a shared vision, with conditions for the implementation of TEO-systems. The design of the walls enhances biodiversity, and sensors are constantly monitoring the water quality, which is regulated by AI.
Watch the short documentary for more details regarding this project:
Florens Jocker
Student MSc. MADE
Bachelor in
Spatial Planning & Design
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Marleen Hofs
Student MSc. MADE
Bachelor in
Land- and Water Managment
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Marieke Buisman
Student MSc. MADE
Bachelor in
Spatial Planning / Climate and Management
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Nina te Groen
Student MSc. Design for Interaction
(TU Delft)
Bachelor in
Industrial Design Engineering
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Yaser Harara
Student MSc. MADE
Bachelor in
Architecture / Urban Design
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About us
Who are we and what do we do?
This research project was conducted as part of the living lab course of the MSc. Metropolitan Analysis, Design and Engineering program (a collaboration between TU Delft and Wageningen University & Research).
The Quay of the Future project focused on identifying challenges and ideating on solutions through co-creation with multiple stakeholders.
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Other deliverables for the course besides this website include a book, documentary and final report
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“The term living lab is used to refer to a wide variety of local experimental projects of a participatory nature.
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The aim is to develop, try out, and test innovative urban solutions in a real-life context.”
(Steen & van Bueren, 2017)