Moulding Power of Perspectives on Purpose-built Student Accommodations (PBSA) in the Netherlands from 1950-2020

This research aims to explore the evolving perspectives and interplay among policy makers, architects, and students in relation to Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in the Netherlands between the 1950s and the 2010s. The study utilizes a comprehensive analysis of diverse primary sources, including reports from the government's advisory committee, governmental reports and announcements, parliamentary papers, architectural magazines, student magazines, the National Student Housing Monitor, research reports from student unions, and annual reports from private and non-profit student housing providers. Interviews with architects were also conducted to gain deeper insights into the design concepts, considerations, and processes underlying their student housing projects. The research focuses on comparing two distinct decades characterized by a significant shortage of student housing in the Netherlands, investigating the historical context of each period. The findings highlight the direct influence of policy makers' perspectives on the design and supply of PBSA through policies, funding, and authoritative power over the years. In contrast, architects' perspectives were constrained by design freedom, budget limitations, and client requirements in each project. Additionally, the influence of students' perspectives increased over time, particularly as a result of the privatization of PBSA in the 2010s and the shifting position of students from tenants to consumers. Throughout the years, a substantial portion of PBSA has transformed from basic, unfurnished student rooms with shared facilities to furnished, self-contained studios with private sanitary facilities, kitchens, and recreational amenities. This transformation can be attributed to factors such as the privatization of PBSA, internationalization and the growing popularity of higher education, as well as the accumulated wealth resulting from post-WWII economic growth of the Netherlands. The research reveals differences in perspectives among policy makers, architects, and students regarding the responsibility of the government and universities, privacy and social interaction within PBSA, and the overall function of PBSA. These differences stem from varying perceptions and expectations regarding the social function of PBSA. By examining primary sources and analyzing the perspectives of key stakeholders, this research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the changing landscape of PBSA in the Netherlands, shedding light on the dynamics and interplay among policy makers, architects, and students.