UNStudio has completed designs for the IJbaan: Amsterdam’s future cable car, commissioned by the IJbaan Foundation (Stichting IJbaan). The IJbaan is a grassroots “Amsterdammer” citizens' initiative, snowballing from a crowdfunding campaign led by Bas Dekker and Willem Wessels started in 2015 and now supported by the Municipality of Amsterdam. Its goal is to create a new connection across the IJ by the 750th anniversary of Amsterdam in 2025.

The one and a half kilometer cable car line is a clean and quick public transport connection between two growing residential areas: Amsterdam-West and Amsterdam-Noord / NDSM. The design consists of three slender pylons and two stations: NDSM Marina on the North Bank and Minervahaven to the South. The cable car is designed flexibly, so that in the future the route can be expanded to include a third station, creating a connection to the Hemknoop, Sloterdijk Station or even Westergasfabriek and the Westerpark, depending on growth and need.

The cable car stations are not only designed as transport hubs for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport streams to come together, but also as destinations in themselves. The Minervastatation is intended as a new meeting place for the growing western neighborhood, creating a vibrant urban plaza on the water with restaurant and bar facilities. The NDSM Marine station on the opposite bank provides a transport hub for the blossoming cultural hotspot in the North, with a bus stop, bicycle parking and viewpoint.

The cable car, as a form of transport, fits UNStudio's mission to develop architecture and urban design concepts that are future-proof, making the living environment healthier. The track also ties in with Amsterdam's ambition to be Europe's example for urban innovation, with a sustainable 'all electric' public transport system that is optimally linked to existing public transport modalities.

“A cable car is an extremely sustainable public transport system. It is a very fast and green way of traveling, which is attractive for cyclists, commuters, students, residents and visitors. In Amsterdam you see a growing need for connections across the IJ, with the new metro and bridges. The city is growing enormously and such an 'air bridge' contributes to the development of the entire region. Transport by air also relieves the increasing pressure on traffic and the existing transport network on the ground. It is not only efficient but also fun. People are going to see and experience their city in a whole new way.”

'It is expected that this fast and frequent connection between the West and North will not only have regular traffic, but will also have a positive effect on bicycle traffic as it connects the existing bicycle networks on both sides of the IJ. The cable car provides an architecturally interesting addition to the city and harbor view, contributing to the spread of tourism in the city. '

Bas Dekker, founder of the IJbaan Foundation.

Amsterdam NDSM Marina m 105


IJ- Southbank side m 136


Minerva Harbor m 46

5,500 people per hour

cabins: 32 / 37 peoples + 4 / 6 bikes

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