People-Driven City-Branding in Banne II

Putting Residents at the Heart of the Project

Banne II is a diverse urban area that has yet to fully benefit from the regeneration of Amsterdam-Noord. Lost amenities, a sense of neglect, and a public space in desperate need of renewal are the challenges at hand. The creation of a new cultural community centre in the core of the neighbourhood — collaboratively developed by the City of Amsterdam, Rochdale, Stichting Buurtcentra and Urban Resort — marks the first step. The residents, a tight-knit community, are eager for change but want their existing identity to be preserved.

Banne II in Amsterdam-Noord is a mixed urban neighbourhood that has hardly benefited from the revival of the district. Facilities have disappeared, residents feel unheard and the public area is in need of a facelift. A new cultural community centre being built by theis the first step in this. The residents form a close-knit community and would like to see improvements, but with preservation of the existing identity.

Project Elements

• Naming: Through a door-to-door voting campaign, residents themselves will decide on the name of the new cultural centre.
• Identity: The centre’s visual identity is based on the style elements and characteristics most important to residents.
• Placemaking: Public space interventions that revitalise the area and make the new identity tangible on the streets.

A Collaborative, Bottom-Up Approach to Neighbourhood Branding

At Pop-Up City, we believe in co-creation. From day one, local residents and organisations have been engaged in every step of the process. Through initiatives such as an open call for names and door-to-door voting, the community was empowered to shape their area’s new identity, guaranteeing that it aligns with their needs and aspirations while reinforcing the unique character of Banne II.

Key Outcomes

• A community-driven name chosen by the residents themselves. A new visual identity that reflects the community’s style, developed in collaboration with Van Lennep. After multiple rounds of feedback, residents selected the final design, which has been applied across the website, flyers, posters, and city dressing — bringing a fresh, unified look to the neighbourhood.

• Public space revitalisation: A quick-fix programme, based on residents’ input, introduced tangible changes to the area, including an outdoor exhibition and temporary lighting that enhances the public space and creates an inviting atmosphere for cultural events.