In achieving a balance between city and green space, alongside the roomier and greener designs for new residential areas, the ‘wedge- and lobe-structure’ was important.

Reaching a green area within ten minutes
The Algemeen Uitbreidingsplan AUP (General Expansion Plan) sought to expand the city not through the addition of an extra city-ring but rather through the implementation of a lobe-structure. New expansions are like fingers that stretch into the surrounding landscape, in return the green wedges (in Dutch: scheggen) between the fingers reach deep into the urban environment. This structure allows city residents to reach a green area within ten minutes, even from the heart of the city centre, which is unique in the world.

Green Lungs
Named in a counter-clockwise order, the green wedges are: Spaarnwoudescheg, Sloterscheg, Amsterdamse Bosscheg, Amstelscheg, Diemerscheg, Waterlandscheg, Twiskescheg and Zaanse scheg.

The urban vision 2040 of the municipality of Amsterdam, established in 2011, confirmed this wedge structure as an important element of the city. It allows the balance between urban development and the surrounding green space to remain intact, even in an ever expanding city. It is of vital importance for the quality of life within Amsterdam that we cherish these green lungs in and around the city and that we keep using and designating them for recreational purposes.