City & Land
Masterplan
Typologie: Urban Development
Location: Schiedam, NL
Design Team: Mimi Oldenhave (projectleader), Laurens Gerats (regional planner), MJH (urban advisor), Niels van Hasselt (landscape architect), Eveline van de Bovekamp (transportation planner), Danïel van der Helm (environmental advisor), Margot Hols (property user), Tjerk van de Berg (real estate developer) & Annemieke van Pelt (economic affairs)
The A20-highway zone divides Schiedam in two pieces and the railway adds to this barrier. Besides that, there's a demand for good housing which causes not only social, but also economical problems. However, there are two big qualities Schiedam has to offer; the Beatrixpark and the Old Town. Schiedam also lies next to Rotterdam, one of the biggest cities in the Netherlands, and Schiedam might even play a major role in the connection between innovative institutions in the region which provide knowledge. We can only conclude that it's an area with a huge potential. The masterplan consists of two main interventions, the "Urban Arm" and the "Scenic Arm" that make Schiedam a whole again and tie it's neighborhoods together.
Urbanisation
Schiedam is almost a part of Rotterdam and in competition with it's expansion areas. However, Schiedam offers an old city center and it even lies closer to the Port of Rotterdam.
The main problem is the housing supply in Schiedam, especially for the middle and upper segment. Therefore we searched for areas in the city that could be filled in by new quarters that meet the requirements to attract these groups.
North of the A20-higway, there are a lot of sportsfields next to the Beatrixpark. These sportsfields are partly moved on top of the A4-highway. To develop this whole area as a green urban environment, the rest of the sportsfields have to move too.
The area is made up of three neighborhoods; the Polderquarter next to the Poldervaart, the Klimopquarter with urban villas and green towers and the Beatrixquarter with a village like character. These neighborhoods are connected with the old town by a new district on top of te A20-highway: Viadistrict.
Urbanisation
Schiedam is almost a part of Rotterdam and in competition with it's expansion areas. However, Schiedam offers an old city center and it even lies closer to the Port of Rotterdam.
The main problem is the housing supply in Schiedam, especially for the middle and upper segment. Therefore we searched for areas in the city that could be filled in by new quarters that meet the requirements to attract these groups.
North of the A20-higway, there are a lot of sportsfields next to the Beatrixpark. These sportsfields are partly moved on top of the A4-highway. To develop this whole area as a green urban environment, the rest of the sportsfields have to move too.
The area is made up of three neighborhoods; the Polderquarter next to the Poldervaart, the Klimopquarter with urban villas and green towers and the Beatrixquarter with a village like character. These neighborhoods are connected with the old town by a new district on top of te A20-highway: Viadistrict.
Infrastructure
A number of infrastructural measures will be taken in order to make place for the new developments and to provide connections with the parts of Schiedam which are already there.
The A20 is adjusted by adding noise barriers and different forms of energy generation. In addition, the A20 is partly overvolted by the Viadistrict and partly put on poles around the Poldervaart, which reinforces the connection between north and south Schiedam.
The second barrier is the railway which will be removed between Schiedam and Vlaardingen East. The train will be replaced by an already existing underground metro line which will be connected to Vlaardingen East.
This procedure has the effect that both the Viadistrict as New-Bijdorp can be put into effect. Not only urban compression, but also the removal of a barrier has a positive impact on Schiedam.
Harga North & Innovation
The A4 highway separates Schiedam from Vlaardingen. The area next to the A4 is bounded on the north by the A20 and on the eastern side by the Poldervaart. Originally this area was used for recreation, but a big part of the sports fields has also moved to the sports park on top of the A4.
The site will be designed partly as a residential area, because Schiedam needs even more housing in the future than provided by previously mentioned development areas in Schiedam. Along the Poldervaart luxury housing will be placed; ribbon development. Behind it, terraced houses create the Harga North neighborhood. Next to the highway closed blocks will be placed in order to reduce the noise disturbance. These blocks are also a build-up to an office wall along the A4. A prime location in terms of visibility and accessibility.
In the southern part of the development zone an innovative campus is set up which focuses on sustainable development; the Green Starters Innovation Lab. Higher education will thus attract to Schiedam.
Harga North & Innovation
The A4 highway separates Schiedam from Vlaardingen. The area next to the A4 is bounded on the north by the A20 and on the eastern side by the Poldervaart. Originally this area was used for recreation, but a big part of the sports fields has also moved to the sports park on top of the A4.
The site will be designed partly as a residential area, because Schiedam needs even more housing in the future than provided by previously mentioned development areas in Schiedam. Along the Poldervaart luxury housing will be placed; ribbon development. Behind it, terraced houses create the Harga North neighborhood. Next to the highway closed blocks will be placed in order to reduce the noise disturbance. These blocks are also a build-up to an office wall along the A4. A prime location in terms of visibility and accessibility.
In the southern part of the development zone an innovative campus is set up which focuses on sustainable development; the Green Starters Innovation Lab. Higher education will thus attract to Schiedam.
Ecology
This barge canal currently has many interruptions which causes pollution and decreasing acological value. The main break is formed by the A20 which also seperates the Beatrixpark from the southside of Schiedam.
In order to remove this barrier, two existing narrow underpasses are combined into one large underpass of almost 300 meters wide. Not only the Poldervaart is restored in its former glory, but also the bike trails and walking routes alongside are improved. Natural water banks create not only a pleasant cycling and walking route, but also stimulate the ecological restoration of the water. From the Middle Delfland and the Beatrix Park, greenery is attracted to the city under the guidance of the Poldervaart.
Ecology also played a major role in our view on the connection between citizens and to make them more healthy. Therefore we introduced food routes to connect the quarters and also encouraged the circular food supply by introducing a Food Innovation Lab in the North of Schiedam.
Ecology
This barge canal currently has many interruptions which causes pollution and decreasing acological value. The main break is formed by the A20 which also seperates the Beatrixpark from the southside of Schiedam.
In order to remove this barrier, two existing narrow underpasses are combined into one large underpass of almost 300 meters wide. Not only the Poldervaart is restored in its former glory, but also the bike trails and walking routes alongside are improved. Natural water banks create not only a pleasant cycling and walking route, but also stimulate the ecological restoration of the water. From the Middle Delfland and the Beatrix Park, greenery is attracted to the city under the guidance of the Poldervaart.
Ecology also played a major role in our view on the connection between citizens and to make them more healthy. Therefore we introduced food routes to connect the quarters and also encouraged the circular food supply by introducing a Food Innovation Lab in the North of Schiedam.
Viadistrict
This neighbourhood establishes a connection that makes Schiedam a whole again. The A20 highway and a train track used to separate the northern part of Schiedam from the historic center. In this plan, these borders disappear.
The Viawijk is a modern district, but has a classic look that fits the needs of the citizens. The result is an organically grown environment reminiscent of Italian cities. Most importantly it character is recognisable and spread out over the whole A20-zone of Schiedam. Buildings do differ from each other, but posses the same roots.
Cars are extracted from the street by creating an underground parking next to the highway. It's a healthy urban area.
Viadistrict
This neighbourhood establishes a connection that makes Schiedam a whole again. The A20 highway and a train track used to separate the northern part of Schiedam from the historic center. In this plan, these borders disappear.
The Viawijk is a modern district, but has a classic look that fits the needs of the citizens. The result is an organically grown environment reminiscent of Italian cities. Most importantly it character is recognisable and spread out over the whole A20-zone of Schiedam. Buildings do differ from each other, but posses the same roots.
Cars are extracted from the street by creating an underground parking next to the highway. It's a healthy urban area.