Alistair Kefford
History is all around you: how well do you know your neighbourhood?
When you think of history, you may think of the Romans or the Eighty Years’ War. But the history of your own street, neighbourhood or city is also worth exploring, says urban historian Alistair Kefford. ‘You step right into the past.’
When Alistair Kefford moved to The Hague in 2020, he viewed his new surrounding through the eyes of an urban historian with a passion for architecture. ‘I love Dutch cities in general and The Hague in particular. The city’s architecture is so interesting. I was invited to come and teach on the Urban Studies programme, so it felt logical to start studying and discovering the city right away.’
How do you learn about a city?
Why are certain neighbourhoods built in a specific architectural style? Who designed and built the houses? Who is involved in redevelopment plans? And what impact do those plans have on the social lives of residents?
This is what Alistair means by studying a city: not just looking at buildings but also understanding the rules, the how and why, and the broader economic and social context of the urban environment. It’s about the human-made environment we live and work in: streets, infrastructure, parks – you name it.
Everyone has expectations of public spaces
In a densely populated city like The Hague, public spaces such as squares and parks are crucial, and so is the way they are planned. Alistair’s students engage in discussions with the Municipality of The Hague about how these places are designed. ‘It’s a challenging task, given today’s demands: spaces must be green, sustainable, safe, functional, inclusive and so on. But developing these areas is essential because we share the city with so many others.’
Look up
To redevelop a city, you need to understand its history. That’s why Alistair always looks up when walking through town. He’s particularly fond of 1920s architecture. ‘The Bijenkorf, for example, is such a beautiful, stately building. It’s like stepping into the past. That fascinates me. When the Bijenkorf opened, many residents began to see The Hague as a world-class city, a true metropolis. It’s like how people now view skyscrapers.’
History close to home is fascinating
Alistair hopes to inspire residents of The Hague to become more aware of the history in their own neighbourhood, or in the shopping street they walk down every day without a second thought. ‘Local history is fascinating. It’s the landscape you live in. And it connects our daily lives in the city with those of past generations in The Hague. Buildings are now adapted to present needs. Take the V&D building, for instance. Instead of demolishing it, the decision was made to reuse it by incorporating it into the university’s new Spui building. That way, part of the city’s history continues into the present. I hope people begin to see the city through that lens.’
Text: Margriet van der Zee
Photography: Wilke Geurds