Streetlife

From ego to eco

Urban Design, Nature, and Climate Resilience: Transforming Tarwewijk

Assignment: Design and incorporate nature based solutions and green/blue infrastructure elements that address specific climate change challenges faced by Tarwewijk. Develop a clear plan for promoting community well-being and climate equity through the use of nature as social infrastructure. Present a comprehensive, resilience-oriented revitalization strategy that aligns with principles of sustainable urban development.

Introduction

This strategy for Tarwewijk is based on a toolbox social improvement revolves around cultivating a vibrant Streetlife that encompasses both human and non-human inhabitants of the public space. This toolbox, carefully curated to establish direct connections with various forms of life, aims to positively impact public spaces and foster a stronger sense of community. Each tool within the matrix is designed to stand alone, providing flexibility for targeted interventions. However, the true strength lies in their synergies, as combining different tools often reinforces their impact. The toolbox’s composition ensures a sustainable evolution of the neighborhood, avoiding disruptive changes while actively retaining current residents.

Toolbox

Program

The focus on flexible office/housing and industry/work units highlights the importance of adaptability within the urban framework. This aligns with the broader theme of Streetlife by acknowledging the unpredictable nature of market demands and the need for spaces that cater to a variety of functions, promoting a dynamic and lively street environment.

Flexibility

Flexibility is essential for the future, especially in urban development.

Mixed-use

Workspaces are crucial for a vibrant city

Reuse

Repurposing and preserving Tarwewijk’s roots and enhances its character.

Densification

Densification strategies, such as ex- tensions and toppings, are discus- sed to activate streets and achieve desired proportions. The importan- ce of close blocks is emphasized, recognizing their role in creating a pleasant street profile and maintai- ning the human scale. This directly contributes to enhancing streetlife by creating vibrant and well-pro- portioned public spaces.

Extension

Extending existing homes activates the street profile

Topping

Adding existing buildings can achieve desired proportions, maintaining a human scale.

Closing

Closed building blocks that enhance residents’ quality of life.

Social

Tools like transition zones, mobility hubs, and energy gardens aim to foster community and belonging. They address the relationship be- tween private and public spaces, reduce car dominance, and pro- mote sustainability. These efforts directly contribute to improving the sense of community and Streetlife in Tarwewijk.

Communal backyards

A regulated transition zone to enhance the connection between private and public spaces.

Mobility strategy

Introducing Mobility hubs with combined functions offers a strategic approach

Energy garden

Energy Gardens enhance biodiversity and food cultivation

Human scale

The focus on small grain develop- ment, dimensions of squares, and streets emphasizes the importance of human dimensions in city design. This contributes to creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment and enhancing the overall human experience in public spaces, alig- ning with the theme of Streetlife.

Superblocks

smaller-scale development to become pedestrian-friendly and more attractive for walking and cycling.

Squares

For squares, ideal dimensions depend on users, with a maximum of 35 meters and a 1:2 ratio.

Streets

In street design, a maximum width of 35 meters with a 1:1 ratio

Climate

The introduction of water in public spaces, green facades, and reuse of materials is proposed to ad- dress ecological deficiencies. These measures contribute to improving the microclimate in public spaces, creating a more vibrant and sustai- nable environment in line with the broader theme of Streetlife.

Roof space

Using the roof on multiple diffence heights for an attractive ecology

Green facades

Green facades retain rainwater, provide insulation, and offer habitat for birds and insects

Soft waterfronts

Soft, green waterfronts enhance ecology, providing a pleasant habitat for various animals.

Well-being

Initiatives such as (sport) activities, public transport improvements, and biodiversity enhancement unders- core the importance of health in the community. By encouraging physical activities, providing bet- ter public transport alternatives, and promoting biodiversity, these measures directly contribute to cre- ating a healthier and more enga- ging Streetlife in Tarwewijk.

Surface water

Surface water benefits humans with calming aesthetics and improved air quality,

Green network

The biodiversity makes the place lively for both people and animals.

Naturalization

To invite nature into the city, allow it to grow without disturbing the homes of animals.

Analysis

Tarwewijk is excellently connected and represents a logical and strategic location for redevelopment, boasting efficient public transportation options such as the metro and tram. Like much of Rotterdam, it was initially developed as a car-oriented city in the post-Second World War era. However, it is crucial to reconsider and reevaluate this dominance of cars in the current context.

Existing typologies

Tarwewijk is intriguing when it comes to typologies. Each street possesses its unique building typology, which contributes to the distinctive character of the area. Within the neighborhood, you’ll find homes with gabled roofs, while along the main axes, five-story apartments are strategically situated. The schematic representation on the right provides a visual overview of these typologies.

This diversity in building styles not only adds visual interest to the neighborhood but also reflects a thoughtful response to the varied spatial and functional requirements of different streets. It creates a dynamic and nuanced urban fabric that contributes to the overall richness and complexity of Tarwewijk.

Non-human

Tarwewijk is for 90% procent built or paved, doesn’t contain any surface water and there’s a lack of ecology. The grass in the current situation is uninviting to be and meet, both human and no-human.

Human

Tarwewijk, with its diverse inhabitants, requires a critical reevaluation of space usage, emphasizing a bottom-up approach that considers both the soil and users to enhance visibility and the relationship with the built environment.

Masterplan

Harbour developments

The industry of the Maashaven forms a strong separation between the Tarwewijk and the water/the port to this day (as of 2023). This proposal suggests introducing mixed use. The construction would respond to the Kop van Zuid while integrating well with the homes in Tarwewijk. Simultaneously, preserving work opportunities within Tarwewijk will enhance the residences. Revitalizing activity along the quay is also an opportunity to unveil the area's DNA, and its hidden treasures.

Underused space

Tarwewijk has several underutilized spaces. From the perspective of the human scale, this is attributed to size, proportions, and the surrounding program. This proposal suggests adding building blocks to create more intimate spaces. This construction also introduces a more diverse program for utilizing these public spaces.

Existing buildings

Much of Rotterdam is designed for heavy car usage, often neglecting the human scale in public spaces. This proposal aims to improve the balance by increasing the program and enhancing both building-level intensification and public spaces. The goal is to create a high-quality public environment that accommodates pedestrians and nature.

The time is now!

To initiate a transition, the first step must be taken. The toolbox presented above provides tools for incremental development. Some interventions can be applied in the short term, while others may not even be a topic of conversation today. It is essential to visualize these possibilities to make well-informed decisions going forward.

Presentation poster

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