early 1970s

1970
In October 1970, J.A. Kuiper finalised a draft 'bestemmingsplan' (a formal planning document under Dutch law) based on the 1969 masterplan (see illustrations below). Unfortunately the plan never lost its draft status, so it lacked legal authority. Supervising curator M. Ruppert left the university and due to the lack of strong initiative, the group of architects ended their free consultations on the planning of 'De Uithof'.

1971
Due to democratic changes within the university the planning process slowed down and was discussed at great lengths. Two external factors caused the building activities to come to a complete standstill. First of all, budget cuts made the Biesheuvel Cabinet to order a 'bouwstop' (formal ban on all building activities) and secondly a controversy with the city of Utrecht arose concerning the 'bestemmingsplan'. The city council found a way to introduce a possibility of building houses in 'De Uithof' to which the university fiercely objected. Progress was frustrated entirely and after 10 years the development of 'De Uithof' effectively stopped.

1972
The plans for building houses threatened the university's growth potential and limited the number of possibilities to build laboratories. During 1972 much paper was produced and many people involved were released of their duties. To end the status quo, a steering committee consisting of influential politicians and high-ranking civil servants was formed, chaired by the Provincial Governor of the province of Utrecht and including representatives of the four cities that were involved. The idea was to establish a form of regional authority for 'De Uithof'. Consensus was not reached.

1973
In 1973 the argumentation for university growth in 'De Uithof' was jeopardised. The university council -now formally empowered- proclaimed itself to be against moving the entire university to 'De Uithof'. Council and board held opposing views. Radical alternatives were considered, even to the point that the university were to be regionalised with locations in the neighbouring towns of 'Amersfoort', 'Nieuwegein', 'Zeist', 'Culemborg, 'Houten', 'Maarssen', etc. These suggestions were seriously introduced by reputable external advisors!

1950s early 1960s late 1960s early 1970s late 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010 > 2010

Illustrations

The 1969 version of the architect's masterplan. The small building near the Sorbonnelaan (represented with diagonal striping) is the teaching facility for Dentistry. This building was taken down in the 1980s.

Photographic representation of the 1969 masterplan, superimposed on a regional map.
Compared to the 1968 scale model, more cross-shaped buildings are added. The one closest to the dotted city border between Utrecht and Zeist is later developed to become the 'Androclus-building' for veterinary science.

The aerial picture shows 'De Uithof' in 1970. A decade of university planning left an irrevocable imprint on the area. Although developments seemed to have halted, a comparison with the aerial picture of 10 years before shows that major achievements had been reached. This picture was used for the cover of a special of the architectural magazine 'Plan 10' which was dedicated entirely to 10 years of Uithofplanning. © Ministery of Defence.

Road infrastructure early years De Uithof

The masterplan of 1969 cast its shadows ahead. A huge university campus was perceived including wide, partly three lane roads. Preparations for the construction of those roads were made, but proved to be unrealistic. The picture above is taken in the early 1970s and shows the 'Toulouselaan'. The dimension of this culvert bridge allows for doubling the road. In fact, in the early 1990s (1993), the decision was reached not to double, but to reduce the road to a bicycle lane. It would take another 15 years before factual changes would take place: an idyllic bicycle route with a recreational spot on the culvert bridge for a picknick and a view on the adjacent historic scenery.

The building with the saw toothed roof is the former teaching center for the Faculty of Dentistry. Both the building and the faculty have disappeared from Utrecht.