Rijnhaven - Maashaven
Tidal parks
Typology: Landscape Architecture
Location: Rijnhaven and Maashaven, Rotterdam, NL
Published: Atlantis Magazine 29.3 Challenged Realms, 2019, Polis, p56-57
Water from the alps runs down all the way to the riverdelta of the Netherlands. In these lowlands, fresh water meets the salt water from the North Sea. Due to disasters in the past, the Dutch constructed their Delta Works to protect the land from flooding by the sea. However, the riverdelta is a unique ecosystem, hosting species which adapted to this environment. Some defence systems are now opened in order to restore the habitat with it's tidal movements and brackish water.
Rotterdam is build along the river Maas, which is part of the river delta. Harbor activities supported the growth of the city and therefore, the citizens of Rotterdam have a strong connection with the water. However, the main port of Rotterdam moved towards the sea; the 'Maasvlakte'. Some harbors are still in use, but some inner city harbors are abandoned and in need of a transformation. These transformations should contain a renewed interaction between the river and the inhabitants of Rotterdam. Besides that, there is a demand for ecological development and raising awareness for this unique habitat.
Rijnhaven - Maashaven
Tidal parks
Typology: Landscape Architecture
Location: Rijnhaven and Maashaven, Rotterdam, NL
Published: Atlantis Magazine 29.3 Challenged Realms, 2019, Polis, p56-57
Water from the alps runs down all the way to the riverdelta of the Netherlands. In these lowlands, fresh water meets the salt water from the North Sea. Due to disasters in the past, the Dutch constructed their Delta Works to protect the land from flooding by the sea. However, the riverdelta is a unique ecosystem, hosting species which adapted to this environment. Some defence systems are now opened in order to restore the habitat with it's tidal movements and brackish water.
Rotterdam is build along the river Maas, which is part of the river delta. Harbor activities supported the growth of the city and therefore, the citizens of Rotterdam have a strong connection with the water. However, the main port of Rotterdam moved towards the sea; the 'Maasvlakte'. Some harbors are still in use, but some inner city harbors are abandoned and in need of a transformation. These transformations should contain a renewed interaction between the river and the inhabitants of Rotterdam. Besides that, there is a demand for ecological development and raising awareness for this unique habitat.
Rijnhaven
This harbor basin used to be full of large ships and surrounded by big warehouses to store goods. Some of the warehouses on 'Katendrecht' are now transformed and on 'Kop van Zuid' they are replaced by iconic skyscrapers. Besides some residential buildings, these buildings also host lots of offices.
Rijnhaven-park provides new connections between 'Kop van Zuid' and 'Katendrecht' and provides an opportunity to escape from the shaded highrise neighborhoods. Instead of only looking up, visitors are stimulated to look down to the water. The movement of the water is made visual again.
A new residential area is build in the western part, reclaiming some land and ensuring a lively public space ouside office hours. Horeca developments inside the park attract people from other parts of Rotterdam.
The new residential buildings also function as a buffer to block the negative effects of the Posthumalaan motorway. A walk around the Rijnhaven now can be done without having to walk along heavy traffic. Rijnhaven-park is easily accessible by allready excisting public transport.
The park is covered in vegetation and brown bricks, but besides these natural looking elements the shapes remain strict and the water edges remain sharp and hard. The aim is to introduce a dynamic park respecting the highly urban and modern context of this part of Rotterdam. The original edges went straight into the water and the distance to the water made the tidal differences almost invisible. Therefore, the park is equipped with several constructions which increase the visibility of the tidal changes in water level. By chowing these changes, awareness of Rotterdams unique position is raised.
The new residential buildings also function as a buffer to block the negative effects of the Posthumalaan motorway. A walk around the Rijnhaven now can be done without having to walk along heavy traffic. Rijnhaven-park is easily accessible by allready excisting public transport.
The park is covered in vegetation and brown bricks, but besides these natural looking elements the shapes remain strict and the water edges remain sharp and hard. The aim is to introduce a dynamic park respecting the highly urban and modern context of this part of Rotterdam. The original edges went straight into the water and the distance to the water made the tidal differences almost invisible. Therefore, the park is equipped with several constructions which increase the visibility of the tidal changes in water level. By chowing these changes, awareness of Rotterdams unique position is raised.
The main level of the park is 3.3 meters above sea level and at highest tide, the water will raise up to 1.5 meters. Some paths then will be flooded, which makes visitors even more aware of this daily event. The surface of these paths need to be rough in order to prevent a slippery route. Sloped paths make sure all parts of the park are accessible by all visitors, without having to take the same slope twice. The construction works consist of steps on which vegetation will grow according to the amount of time in which the level is flooded. The strict seperation of these levels makes it possible to distinguish clear differences; something that is blurred in case of a sloped edge where vegetation blends and blurs.
Maashaven
The harbor basin Maashaven lies on the other side of 'Katendrecht' and is much bigger, a size similar to the Vondelpark in Amsterdam. The edge of 'Katendrecht' is filled with residential building blocks and will develop further. To the South, the basin is still used for industrial purposes which means the water should remain accessible by large boats.
In order to make this possible, research is done on the water flows, considering both tidal flows and the river flow direction towards the sea. Towards low tide, the partly hard edged islands and groines guide the water through the navigation routes for ships and flush the sediments away. These sediments will remain on the soft edges of the islands. Maashaven is a tidal nature park in which water and land meet each other in many different ways. This results in streams, small lakes, marshlands and a connection to the riverscape. The routes are connected to the ongoing infrastructural networks of Rotterdam, but also encourage a longer stay for recreational purposes.
Maashaven
The harbor basin Maashaven lies on the other side of 'Katendrecht' and is much bigger, a size similar to the Vondelpark in Amsterdam. The edge of 'Katendrecht' is filled with residential building blocks and will develop further. To the South, the basin is still used for industrial purposes which means the water should remain accessible by large boats.
In order to make this possible, research is done on the water flows, considering both tidal flows and the river flow direction towards the sea. Towards low tide, the partly hard edged islands and groines guide the water through the navigation routes for ships and flush the sediments away. These sediments will remain on the soft edges of the islands. Maashaven is a tidal nature park in which water and land meet each other in many different ways. This results in streams, small lakes, marshlands and a connection to the riverscape. The routes are connected to the ongoing infrastructural networks of Rotterdam, but also encourage a longer stay for recreational purposes.
The eastern boundary is constructed by the allready existing metro line and the motorway. Beneath this metro line, a new parking is made for visitors of the park. Elevated boardwalks meander through lush vegetation while biking routes are accompanied by rows of trees.
The old quay is broken down in order to create soft sloped edges. Some parts of the quay are planted inside these edges, catching the sediments and providing microclimates for different species. Besides hard and soft edges, some edges can be overflown at high tide, providing a unique spatial experience.
The eastern boundary is constructed by the allready existing metro line and the motorway. Beneath this metro line, a new parking is made for visitors of the park. Elevated boardwalks meander through lush vegetation while biking routes are accompanied by rows of trees.
The old quay is broken down in order to create soft sloped edges. Some parts of the quay are planted inside these edges, catching the sediments and providing microclimates for different species. Besides hard and soft edges, some edges can be overflown at high tide, providing a unique spatial experience.
Besides horeca, recreational routes, a beach and a tidal playground for kids, Maashaven beach also provides a habitat for birds. One of the islands is inaccessible by people and allows birds to stop by, because the Dutch riverdelta is a crucial stepping stone for migrating birds. A watchtower is placed for people to take a closer look.
Towards the future, the industry on the southern edge can be developed into a residential area and the park is completed. Water taxis will be replaced by bridges for slow traffic. Maashaven park will be an urban oasis, hosting more than one species.
Besides horeca, recreational routes, a beach and a tidal playground for kids, Maashaven beach also provides a habitat for birds. One of the islands is inaccessible by people and allows birds to stop by, because the Dutch riverdelta is a crucial stepping stone for migrating birds. A watchtower is placed for people to take a closer look.
Towards the future, the industry on the southern edge can be developed into a residential area and the park is completed. Water taxis will be replaced by bridges for slow traffic. Maashaven park will be an urban oasis, hosting more than one species.