'The Atlas of the Dutch Urban Block' provides an overview of the development of the urban housing block as that has taken shape in both Amsterdam and Rotterdam from the 17th century to the present day. In a systematic and methodical way, the book makes the relations between individual dwellings, the housing block and public space visible. Nineteen urban fragments are explored in the book by means of precisely rendered floor plans and cross sections. The manner of drawing sheds new light on the fluent relation between the public and private domain. From each example it is easy to read how individual dwellings are arranged within the housing block, and how the block is positioned in the system of public space.
Among the topics taken up are the urban expansion of Amsterdam's ring canals, Berlage's expansion plan for Amsterdam South, the restructuring plans for the former harbour and industrial areas on the tongue of land along the Kop van Zuid in Rotterdam, and urban development plans for Amsterdam's Java Island.