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The 1960s Amsterdam neighbourhood of Buitenveldert, with its radical open and green layout, has an appearance quite dissimilar to that of the city’s centre. Visiting my grandparents there since I was a little child, has always sparked my interest and made me curious about its history and evolution after almost 65 years of existence. Therefore, this thesis’ research question is as follows: ‘How did the general perception of Buitenveldert change over time?’. Methods such as literature studies, newspapers studies and visual analysis (photographs) research the area’s architectural historical context and the shift of perception. Combining this with my family’s knowledge and experiences obtained via interviews, provides this thesis with an intergenerational approach. What becomes clear from the research, is that Buitenveldert hasn’t dramatically changed over time. Its design by modernist architect and urban planner Cornelis van Eesteren proves to provide a spacious and livable environment for its inhabitants. Other than smaller redevelopments and a more diverse population, the area stays mostly true to its original ideology and perception. What happens to Buitenveldert in the next 65 years, remains to be seen., AR2A011, Architectural History Thesis, Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences

Starting from the theoretical-political paradigm of activation, the chapter analyses welfare reforms (focusing on pension and labour policies) in two European countries, France and Italy. Special attention is given to the intergenerational approach implemented in recent years, following international agencies recommendations. First evaluations of the devices put in practice to face employment problems affecting young and mature workers, allow to develop some considerations on the ambiguity that characterize activation paradigm in the context of the global crisis, having produced a severe employment reduction and putting into question the validity of this widespread paradigm. In this context, the implementation of intergenerational measures seems to reveal little effects on unemployment rates for both young and older workers and on the availability of new jobs into the labour market. Nevertheless, they tend to improve the quality of work, reducing fixed-term contracts and allow public finance savings. A cultural implication is also cited, referring to the change of perspective these measures may foster to overlap age discriminations in workplaces, as in public debate.

Résumé Dans cet article, nous introduisons le concept d’«arc de vie» comme nouveau paradigme dans la construction d’une société intergénérationnelle. Nous commencerons par définir ce concept et les changements qu’il implique sur le plan éthique, psychologique et pédagogique, mais aussi social et politique. Cette pre- mière partie sera illustrée par l’exemple d’un projet que nous avons coordonné sur le terrain et où plusieurs générations étaient mises en présence autour de la généalogie. Nous tenterons de montrer en quoi un tel travail permet de faire évoluer les mentalités des partenaires concernés, y compris celles des intervenants, dans le sens d’une intégration à l’arc de vie. Nous reviendrons ensuite à des considérations plus globales et méthodologiques., This paper will introduce «arc of life» (life span) as a paradigm that will help us to think and to act towards an intergenerational society. We will define this concept and consider what it implies on ethical, psychological and pedagogical level, but also the changes it requires in social and political structures. This first part will be illustrated by a project called «genealogy at school », where elderly guided primary school children in order to build their family tree and we will show to what extend this experience allows each of the generations in presence, including the professionals, to change their vision of the others, and in this way, to be more integrated to the «arc of life ». We will end with some general and methodological issues.