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by Eva Engele
Rotterdam North line
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Bruno DoedensRene Heijne
Uri Giladmentor
commission
graduation projectAcademy of Architecture, Amsterdam
2014/2015
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contentslocation
introduction
project site
concept
applying the strategy
strategy
design
afterword
01
0405060708
0203
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Apart from urban planning perspective and users perspective,
transport infrastructure has also a direct impact as an object to
its physical environment. It exists as a static structure in our
landscape, a piece of the urban scene for those who live along its
border.
While ensuring the growth of the cities and establishing
connections between them, infrastructure has created a great
quantity of left-over spaces, which have not been incorporated into
traditional urban design formulas. These areas are rich in context,
but poor in reality. It is a domain of unfulfilled promise and
unlimited opportunity.
My focus of interest lies in potentials of spaces in-between.
Ambition of the project is to change our perceptions of these no-go
areas and to create an inspiring alternative. Use the presence of
infrastructure as tool to enrich our urban experiences.
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contentslocation
introduction
project site
concept
applying the strategy
strategy
design
afterword
01
0405060708
0203
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Project location is a 2,5 km long, and up to 400 m wide line in
northern part of Rotterdam. It is a border zone between three city
parts - Rotterdam Noord, Schiebroek and Overschie.
2,5 km
OverschieSchiebroek
Noord
Schiebroek Noord300 m
space in between
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The line is a cut in the city that follows only the rules of
movement and fulfils only the need of mobility and fails the
promise of urbanity.Area is isolated and has great amount of
left-over territories. Loose buildings in a poor condition are
spread in a large territory. The area is a void in Rotterdam. A
wide line that crosses entire part of the city and is disconnected
from its surroundings.
void inside the city
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connect & new connection
contentslocation
introduction
project site
concept
applying the strategy
strategy
design
afterword
01
0405060708
0203 dialogue with infrastructure
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connectvoid in the city new connectionThe void crosses complete
northern part of Rotterdam. Therefore, transformation in this area
will have a positive influence to a wide section of the city. By
activating and opening the boundary there is a chance to reconnect
two parts of the city that are now isolated.
Transformation of the void will not only give direct impact on
its surroundings, it will have large impact to the whole city. The
strip will become a new connection in Rotterdam that has never
existed before. It will be a new link between two regional
landscapes.
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activating the void
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dialogue with infrastructureAmbition for the project is to
change this void from a no-go area to a vital and sustainable urban
space where nature, variety of infrastructures and public program
coexist.
standard solution model
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changing infrastructureactivating accessibilitystrengthening
ecological valuesadding programme
contentslocation
introduction
project site
concept
applying the strategy
strategy
design
afterword
01
0405060708
0203
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A13 A16
A20
downgrading A 20A 13-16(planned start 2017)
A4(completed 2015)
A13 A16
A20
To limit the traffic jams, city has planned new highways A4 and
A16/A13 that will reduce usage of existing Northern part of Ring
Road. By connecting the new highways the new city ring will go
outside the city, leaving only the local traffic in the line . Now
is the time to set the ambition for it! The A 20 can become an
important city boulevard, giving a start for a great
transformation.
Usage of car transport is increasing and Northern part of the
City Ring is facing already the consequences. Situated inside the
city, it has to provide not only transit traffic, but the local as
well.
Schiedam
Rotterdam Blaak
Rotterdam CS
Beurs
Stadhuis
Centraal station
Blijdorp
Melanchthonweg
Meijersplein
Schiedam
Oostplein
Blaak
GerdesiawegVoorschoterlaan
Kralingse Zoom
Gouda
Amsterdam Den Haag
railway
metro
Schiedam
Rotterdam Blaak
Rotterdam CS
Rotterdam North
St.Franciscus hospital
Beurs
Stadhuis
Centraal station
Blijdorp
Melanchthonweg
Meijersplein
Schiedam
Oostplein
Blaak
GerdesiawegVoorschoterlaan
Kralingse Zoom
Gouda
Amsterdam Den Haag
railway
metro
Schiedam
Rotterdam Blaak
Rotterdam CS
Rotterdam North
St.Franciscus hospital
Beurs
Stadhuis
Centraal station
Blijdorp
Melanchthonweg
Meijersplein
Schiedam
Oostplein
Blaak
GerdesiawegVoorschoterlaan
Kralingse Zoom
Gouda
Amsterdam Den Haag
railway
metro
urbanizing railway lineIn order to ensure sustainable
urbanization and economic development, a major ambition of the
government for the regions future mobility growth, is to increases
public transport use. I propose to improve the Rotterdam North
station that now is not more than a ticket machine, and to ad a new
station combined with metro rail Rotterdam - The Hague, at the St.
Francis Hospital. It is an opportunity to develop first unused
areas inside the city, instead of expanding it.
changing infrastructure
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urbanizing railway line
local scaleThe area has a poor accessibility. Existing streets
has dead ends and the 2,5 km long area have only three crossings,
where one is on the ground level. To improve accessibility on a
local scale new routes are proposed - connections between city
parts and recreation routes between regional landscapes.
Noorderkanaalweg
Noorder
kade
Noorderkanaalweg
Noorder
kade
Noorderkanaalweg
Noorder
kade
city scale
Line has two existing connection with the surrounded area.
Bergweg a street that crosses line on the East side and gives
access to Rotterdam North station; Schieweg roundabout on the West
side, where new Hospital station can be realized. Both of these
junctions are now organized in two levels, creating large amounts
of unused area.Because of the possibility to exchange between
different speeds and the amount of forgotten spaces, areas of these
connections will be two centres of the strip.
Location of the line makes it easy accessible. All the traffic
networks are here, accessibility can be compared with the city
centre. Therefore is good for public program and events, where not
only the direct surroundings can profit from, but also the entire
city.
Rot
terd
am -
Am
ster
dam
hig
h-sp
eed
line
Den H
aag central - Slinge metro line
A 20 boule
vard
Noorthern Channel
Rotte
Rotterdam - G
ouda line
Berg
weg
Rotterdam NorthSchieweg
Rot
terd
am -
Am
ster
dam
hig
h-sp
eed
line
Den H
aag central - Slinge metro line
A 20 boule
vard
Noorthern Channel
Rotte
St. Franciscus Hospital
Rotterdam - G
ouda line
Berg
weg
Rotterdam NorthSchieweg
improving accessibility
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To strengthen the functions and initiatives that are already
there, public program at Hospital station will include sport, and
at the North station - culture.
adding programme
sportculture
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Kralingen
Zestienhoven
Rotte
Bergse Plas
Kralingen
Zestienhoven
Rotte
Bergse Plas
strengthening ecological valuesWith continuous, wild and dense
nature as contrast to existing long, open, formal infrastructures,
the recreation lane connects different green structures in the
region: Kralingen Forest, Bergse Plas lakes and Rotte river on the
East with Schiezone and Zestienhoven on the West. Variation of
existing green is strengthened in parallel zones and changing
atmospheres.
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Changing this void from a no-go area to a vital and sustainable
urban space where nature, variety of infrastructures and public
program coexist, I create a new active recreational area for the
city and region.
downgrading A20 from highway to city boulevard
existing situation
urbanizing railway line Rotterdam Gouda
new routes
more accessibility
intensifying ecological values
adding programme
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contentslocation
introduction
project site
concept
applying the strategy
strategy
design
afterword
01
0405060708
0203
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Further in the project I develop one centre of the area. It is a
place that holds all the characteristics that lane has, and
organizes traffic exchange. By further developing a centre, I show
how all aspects can work together, and demonstrate the vision for
the entire line.
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changing infrastructureactivating accessibilitystrengthening
ecological valuesadding programme
contentslocation
introduction
project site
concept
applying the strategy
strategy
design
afterword
01
0405060708
0203
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downgrading A20 from highway to city boulevard
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Straatweg
Gordelweg
Gordelweg
Noorderkanaalweg
Ceintuurbaan
Ceintuurbaan
Bergw
eg
Straatweg
Gordelweg
Gordelweg
Noorderkanaalweg
Ceintuurbaan
Ceintuurbaan
Bergw
eg
Straatweg
Gordelweg
Gordelweg
Noorderkanaalweg
Ceintuurbaan
Ceintuurbaan
Bergw
eg
gained space
from highway to city boulevard
existing situation
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urbanizing railway line Rotterdam Gouda
new routes
more accessibility
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Straatweg
Gordelweg
Gordelweg
Noorderkanaalweg
Ceintuurbaan
Ceintuurbaan
Bergw
eg
Straatweg
Gordelweg
Gordelweg
Noorderkanaalweg
Ceintuurbaan
Ceintuurbaan
Bergw
eg
Straatweg
Gordelweg
Gordelweg
Noorderkanaalweg
Ceintuurbaan
Ceintuurbaan
Bergw
eg
new position of Rotterdam North station
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intensifying ecological values
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adding programme
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Straatweg
Gordelweg
Gordelweg
Noorderkanaalweg
Ceintuurbaan
Ceintuurbaan
Bergw
eg
Straatweg
Gordelweg
Gordelweg
Noorderkanaalweg
Ceintuurbaan
Ceintuurbaan
Bergw
eg
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organizationsections & impressions & detailsplans
contentslocation
introduction
project site
concept
applying the strategy
strategy
design
afterword
01
0405060708
0203
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counterspaceDesigned structure activates the area by extending
activities within the buildings into the public.
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To maximize the use of the line, the proposal organizes area
around multi-functional space.
organization
flexibilityparking
events
sports
market
Possibilities for different scenarios ensure the usage of area
in all daytimes and seasons.
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Rotterdam North station
Bus, tram, water bus stop
program
Replaced on the other side of Bergweg, to unused area that is on
the edge of the storage district.
Modification of bus stop, replacement of tram stop, new water
transport stops will optimize the exchange between different
traffics.
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Rotterdam North station
Bus, tram, water bus stop
program public program supporting existing culture activities
studios, gallery, open-air exhibition and multifunctional
spaces
variety of commercial and recreational program
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services (parking, hub facilities)new situation
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design / 07
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ground level
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1 level
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2 level
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3 level
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contentslocation
introduction
project site
concept
applying the strategy
strategy
design
afterword
01
0405060708
0203
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I found fascinating how dominant and inevitable is the presence
of transport infrastructure in our environment, and yet how little
we can influence it. These structures create a constant
provocation, and still we accept their presence.
With the graduation project I challenged myself to deal with an
existing left-over space in-between large scale infrastructure as a
physical context that is seen very negative and without qualities
for a program.
During the project process I realized that these spaces has to
be seen on a larger scale. It is also a question of urban planning
and landscape. These areas operates between different
disciplines.Having stepped out of my comfort zone, it took me more
time to understand the area. However, my experience gave me the
possibility to look at these spaces from a another perspective. It
made me aware that in order to reach my ambition, architecture cant
be used here in its traditional way. Organizing the area on all
scales and creating the possibilities for activities to happen are
essential for these spaces to function. Project is not about the
building itself, it is about the space it creates around. I design
the counterspace for Rotterdam North line. A space in-between,
where activities inside the buildings are extended into the
public.
