Post-War reconstruction (1940-1965)

After the Second World War, an enormous amount of work had to be done in the construction world. War damage had to be repaired, but there was also a high demand for housing due to the rapid population growth. Priority was given to housing construction. A lot had to be built, quickly and cheaply. The baby boom started and in 1958 the hundred thousandth resident was born in Hilversum. Population growth was also accompanied by a high demand for schools, churches, shops and offices.

Municipal architect Dudok

During the Second World War, Dudok worked on a core plan for the center of Hilversum, which was presented in 1946. The slums in the center had to be cleared and space had to be made for urban development: wide boulevards that gave the car plenty of room and that made the center of the city quickly accessible from all angles. It was discussed for a long time and partly demolition had already started, but in the end the plan was shelved. Meanwhile, Dudok continued to work on the extension of Hilversum on the former engen, housing that had already been foreseen in his Termination Plan from 1933. Between 1946 and 1965, Dudok designed his last seven municipal housing complexes.

Urban Expansions

Hilversum expanded on all sides. Plans that had already been made (far) before the war were now being implemented, such as the housing construction north of the Johannes Geradtsweg. System construction was used in order to be able to build the houses quickly and cheaply. By specifying the soberly designed residential blocks in a few places, the neighborhoods nevertheless acquired a varied appearance. The Riebeeckkwartier with a completely new hospital was established in 1955. The first floor construction was also created during this period. The Zeeheldenkwartier with portico flats around the Karel Doormanlaan was built from 1959.

Industry

Economic development also continued at a rapid pace. New factories and factory extensions were built in the typical reconstruction style using concrete, brick, steel and glass. In Hilversum-East, the Wybertjesfabriek (1948-1950), Brandsma Metaalveredeling (1948-1950), the Niveafabriek (1951) and the Milk Factory (1955-1957) were established. Workers’ housing associations provided housing for the workers in addition to municipal housing.

Broadcasting quarters

The existing broadcasters continued to grow and, with their own housing association, Stichting Omroepwoningbouw, they provided housing for its employees on Jacob van Campenlaan (1952), among others. Plans were made to concentrate broadcasters on a site on the northern edge of the city. Van de Broek and Bakema designed a modern office building for Radio Netherlands Worldwide (1961) in the undeveloped nature of Gooise. Piet Elling designed the functional Music Pavilion (1961) that was created in what is now known as the Media Park.

Diversity of buildings

After Dudok retired in 1954, his successor, ir. S. Joustra, designed the public buildings in Hilversum. After emergency schools had first made up for the lack of classrooms, new schools were established under his rule. Shopping arcades, offices, churches for all denominations, all found their place in the rapidly developing city. In 1964, the Zuiderhof Cemetery in Hilversum-South, designed by Dudok, was completed.