City Projects make Rotterdam more resilient, greener and healthier
Rotterdam is known to be innovative and future focused. This is certainly visible in its renowned architecture and in its urban planning. The recently completed makeover of the Coolsingel, with less space for cars, more space for cyclists and pedestrians and with more greenery is a prime example of how the municipality is actively reshaping the city to become more resilient, healthier and overall more enjoyable for all.
Over the next couple of years, a series of City Projects will give Rotterdam even more green areas, more space for leisure and cultural events, more room for housing in places where this hasn’t been possible before due to low air quality or noise pollution, and overall better air quality. The projects will make the city better equipped to deal with rainwater (collection), improve our urban mobility and reduce heat stress1. Once completed, every Rotterdammer will have access to public green space in less than a 15’ walk.
So what are these projects about? Hofplein, Schouwburgplein and Alexanderplein will become beautiful green squares with less traffic. The Westblaak will become Blaakpark and Hofbogenpark will provide a beautiful, elevated walk amongst the treetops. There will also be three new parks in South Rotterdam: the Rijnhaven Park, the Nelson MandelaPark at Maashaven and the Feyenoord Tide Park. More information on these projects is available on this Dutch website. On this page we give you some of the highlights.
1 Green spaces with a high diversity of tree species have a greater cooling effect in spring, summer and autumn. They also have a larger maximum drop in temperature in the summer, compared to spaces that are less diverse.
Rijnhaven Park: new homes and floating parks
The Rijnhaven is an inner city harbour with historic quays and iconic industrial buildings. It’s closed in by the popular neighbourhoods of the Wilhelminapier and Katendrecht. A third of the Rijnhaven harbour basin will be filled in and new land will thus be created for 3,000 new homes which will border on a new park. This park will have both a land-based component and floating parks, which will be constructed on the quays on both sides of the Rijnhaven. People will be able to walk from park to park through jetties and walkways and enjoy the water, which is now virtually inaccessible. The Rijnhavenpark will also house a new a new Maritime Centre.
Artist rendering: Barcode Architects
Nelson Mandelapark (Maashaven): green and blue future
Another new park will be created at Maashaven and will bear the name Nelson Mandelapark. This new green space will be the size of approximately 10 soccer pitches. It will have hills, gassy areas, large trees and a new public square. It will be a space to relax, meet each other and to do sports. It will also be suitable to host events. A new catering facility will be the perfect place to watch the water taxis come and go, and to see the barges moor. A special path will help people experience tidal changes.
Artist rendering: SWA/Balsley
Hofplein: inner city green meets urban mobility
The Hofplein is a very busy square in Rotterdam Central District, connecting Weena and Coolsingel, with currently lots traffic (cars, trams, buses). It has a fountain where Feyenoord fans take a dive to celebrate successes of their club. But to do so they have to risk life and limbs crossing busy traffic lanes. The revamped Hofplein will be completely different: a lively, green city square to relax, sit down, enjoy the sounds of birds and the foliage of new plans and 150 new large trees. And to enjoy the fountain that will be the shining centrepiece. Underneath the square will be a water storage for 1,200 m3 of water, usable to water all the new greenery in periods of drought. The number of car lanes and cars will move around the square in one direction.
Artist rendering: Juurlink+Geluk
Hofbogenpark: walking amongst treetops
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk amongst treetops? This will soon be possible in Rotterdam at Hofbogenpark. This is a 2 km long unique new city park on the roof of a former railway viaduct. Imagine walking or jogging, meeting your friends or neighbours an enjoying dense greenery and wildlife, in the middle of Rotterdam, elevated from the dense city hustle and bustle. The landscape changes along the stretch of this park. The greenery will have ecological value, making the park attractive in all seasons. The design of this park pays homage to the former railway that it is built on, reusing materials as stepping stones or furniture and creating hide outs for animals.
Artist rendering: DE URBANISTEN
Header image (Hofbogenpark): artist rendering by DE URBANISTEN.
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