In 1997 the American landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson together with Francine Houben of Mecanoo wins the competition for the Masterplan of the Westergasfabriek area in Amsterdam. The area lies between the urban Westerpark and the polder with its allotments. It is surrounded by water and rails making the site into a unity. The design accentuates the transitions to the city and to natural landscape. Two different routes will bring the visitor to various sites, landscapes and ambiences. Times change, use changes. Around the remains of the Westergasfabriek (gas plant) a new activity takes place: the business of leisure and amusement, of environment and ecology. The concept of the vast urban park is built around this activity.