Eva Engele-Master of Architecture-Counterspace

Rotterdam North line

by Eva Engele

graduation project Academy of Architecture, Amsterdam 2014/2015 mentor

Uri Gilad

commission

Bruno Doedens Rene Heijne

contents

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

introduction location concept strategy project site applying the strategy design afterword

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.

contents

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

introduction location concept strategy project site applying the strategy design afterword

Schiebroek

Overschie

m k 2,5 Noord

Schiebroek

300 m

space in between 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.

Noord

void inside the city 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.

contents

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

introduction location concept strategy project site applying the strategy design afterword

connect & new connection dialogue with infrastructure

void in the city

connect

new connection

The 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.

activating the void

standard solution model

dialogue with infrastructure Ambition 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.

contents

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

introduction location concept strategy project site applying the strategy design afterword

changing infrastructure activating accessibility strengthening ecological values adding programme

changing infrastructure downgrading A 20 A 13-16 (planned start 2017)

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.

A4 (completed 2015) A20 A20 A13

A13

A16

A16

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.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Den Haag Meijersplein

Den Haag Meijersplein

Den Haag Meijersplein

Melanchthonweg

Melanchthonweg

Melanchthonweg

Gouda

urbanizing railway line

Gouda

In order to ensure sustainable urbanization Rotterdam North St.Franciscus hospital and economic development, a major ambition of the government for the region’s future mobility growth, is to increases public transport use.

I propose to improve the Rotterdam North stationBlijdorp that now is not more than a ticket machine, and to ad a new station combined with metro rail Rotterdam - The Hague, at Rotterdam CS the St. Francis Hospital. It is an opportunity Centraal station Oostplein to develop first unused areas inside the city, Stadhuis instead of expanding it.

Rotterdam North St.Franciscus hospital

Blijdorp

Blijdorp

Rotterdam CS

Rotterdam CS

Gerdesiaweg

Centraal station Stadhuis

Oostplein Rotterdam Blaak Blaak

Schiedam Schiedam

Gerdesiaweg

Centraal station

Voorschoterlaan

Stadhuis Kralingse Zoom

Beurs

Schiedam Voorschoterlaan Schiedam

Oostplein

Beurs

Beurs railway

ay

railway

o

metro

Rotterdam Blaak Blaak

Kralingse Zoom

Rotterdam Blaak Blaak

metro

Gerde

improving accessibility local scale

g kanaalwe Noorder

g kanaalwe Noorder

g kanaalwe Noorder

kade rder Noo

The 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.

kade rder Noo

kade rder Noo

eg Rotte

Rotte

a line

- Goud

St. Franciscus Hospital

Rotterd

Rotterd

am Amste rdam high-sp eed lin e

rdam

am Amste rdam high-sp eed lin e

Rotte

Schieweg

Schieweg

Rotterdam North

d evar

d evar

boul A 20

boul A 20

ag

ag

Ha

l

n De

Noorthe rn Chan ne

Ha

l

n De

Noorthe rn Chan ne

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.

Berg w

Berg w

eg

city scale

Rotterdam North

Rotte

rdam

a line

- Goud

cen

cen

l tra

l tra

ge lin -S

ge lin -S lin tro me

lin tro me

e

e

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.

adding programme To strengthen the functions and initiatives that are already there, public program at Hospital station will include sport, and at the North station - culture.

culture sport

Bergse Plas

Bergse Plas

Rotte

Rotte

Zestienhoven

Zestienhoven

Kralingen

Kralingen

strengthening ecological values With 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.

existing situation

downgrading A20 – from highway to city boulevard

urbanizing railway line Rotterdam – Gouda

new routes

more accessibility

intensifying ecological values

adding programme

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.

contents

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

introduction location concept strategy project site applying the strategy design afterword

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.

contents

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

introduction location concept strategy project site applying the strategy design afterword

changing infrastructure activating accessibility strengthening ecological values adding programme

downgrading A20 – from highway to city boulevard

aa twe g Str Ceintuurbaan Ceintuurbaan

Be rgw eg

Noorderkanaalweg

Gordelweg

Gorde lweg

Str

aa twe g

existing situation

Ceintuurbaan Ceintuurbaan

rgw

eg

Noorderkanaalweg

Be

Gordelweg

Gorde lweg

Str

aa

twe

g

from highway to city boulevard

Ceintuurbaan Ceintuurbaan

Be

Gordelweg

rgw

eg

Noorderkanaalweg

Gorde lweg

gained space

urbanizing railway line Rotterdam – Gouda

new routes

more accessibility

aa twe g Str Ceintuurbaan Ceintuurbaan

Be rgw eg

Noorderkanaalweg

Gordelweg

Gorde lweg

Str

aa twe g

new position of Rotterdam North station

Ceintuurbaan Ceintuurbaan

rgw

eg

Noorderkanaalweg

Be

Gordelweg

Str

aa

twe

g

Gorde lweg

Ceintuurbaan Ceintuurbaan

Be

Gordelweg

rgw

eg

Noorderkanaalweg

Gorde lweg

intensifying ecological values

adding programme

aa tw eg Str

Ceintuurbaan Ceintuurbaan

Be

rgw

eg

Noorderkanaalweg

Gord elweg

contents

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

introduction location concept strategy project site applying the strategy design afterword

organization sections & impressions & details plans

counterspace Designed structure activates the area by extending activities within the buildings into the public.

organization To maximize the use of the line, the proposal organizes area around multi-functional space.

parking

flexibility Possibilities for different scenarios ensure the usage of area in all daytimes and seasons.

events

market

sports

program Rotterdam North station Replaced on the other side of Bergweg, to unused area that is on the edge of the storage district.

Bus, tram, water bus stop

Modification of bus stop, replacement of tram stop, new water transport stops will optimize the exchange between different traffics.

public program supporting existing culture activities – studio’s, gallery, open-air exhibition and multifunctional spaces

variety of commercial and recreational program

services (parking, hub facilities) new situation

design / 07

ground level

1 level

2 level

3 level

contents

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

introduction location concept strategy project site applying the strategy design afterword

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 leftover 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 can’t be used here in it’s ‘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.