The plan to renovate the Millinxbuurt (Millinx quarter) was formulated in the context of the ’50 years reconstruction – 50 years future’ manifestation that was held in 1995, in which plans were developed on the basis of two possible development scenarios for Rotterdam. The new Millinxbuurt ought to have a programme suitable for the future population. Already more than half of the population of this part of town is of immigrant descent, and it is expected that this share will only increase. The housing expectations will therefore also change in the course of time. In many cultures, building a house is a personal matter and renting or buying a ready-made standard house is uncommon and even undesired. This is taken insufficiently into account in the existing approach to urban renewal.

Its situation on the future city axis and its proximity to city-centre functions make the Millinxbuurt a potentially high-value location. It is extremely suited to a blend of living and working. To enable this kind of varied use, a grid of shell homes has been proposed. Within this grid, various housing types, small-scale companies, and workplaces could be realized. Due to the flexible structure of the buildings, future changes can easily be accommodated. In order to achieve spatial and aesthetic quality in this ‘shell village’, a number of regulations will have to be agreed upon with regard to materialization and construction heights.

As a result of the renovation, in which only the edges will remain as they are, the new Millinxbuurt will acquire a distinct character. Paradoxically enough, the enclave fits in seamlessly with the tradition of garden villages and concrete villages behind high street walls in Rotterdam-Zuid.