Had It Been Nice?

An exhibition on architecture after 1965. It showcases urban structures, buildings, parks, and public artworks created in Haarlem between 1965 and 1995.

With this exhibition, the ABC (Autonomous Cultural Heritage Foundation) aims to highlight the significance of architecture, urban planning, and culture from this period for Haarlem's development. The exhibition presents well-known examples from districts including Zuiderpolder, Molenwijk, Meerwijk, and Rozenprieel.

The exhibition is part of the program of the Netherlands Agency for Cultural Heritage (RCE). This program seeks to raise awareness of the relatively recent heritage of this period, which is often threatened with demolition. Architecture after 1965 evokes mixed feelings: some appreciate it, others reject it. This prompted the ABC to present the situation in Haarlem and to emphasize the qualities of this architecture.

The exhibition was created in collaboration with the Haarlem Historical Society. This society has conducted extensive research on post-1965 architecture in Haarlem and recently published the book "Haarlem Verandert – Post-1965 Stedenbouw en Architectuur" (Haarlem Change – Urban Development and Architecture after 1965).

Opening: November 30, 4:00 p.m.

Speaker: Architectural historian Anita Blom, specialist in post-1965 architecture.