1
The Island: translating an urban ideal into an urban design
TEST #1 The Island: translating an urban ideal into an urban design
2
Test#1 : The Island The Island: translating an urban ideal into an urban design Jacopo Grilli Commission Ton Schaap Iruma Hernandez Rodriguez Billy Nolan Master in Urban Design Academie van Bouwkunst August 2020
Dedicated to every dreamer
Thanks to: Famiglia Grilli Kinke Nijland Ginevra Melazzi Piero Vidoni Teresa Mazzanti Francesco Maggioni Matteo Paris BURA team Rob Njiland Arjan Klok In memory of: Gianfranca Mancioppi Yona Friedman
3
Table of content
Theory
Imagination
1 Introduction 2 A Triangle 3 Urgencies 4 Theoretical Framework 5 Urban Cell
4
6 Location Research 7 Testing the Randstad 8 The Island 9 The Island test 10 Interventions 11 Panorama Randstad
6
12
24
42
56
5 72
82
Cultural Cores
Existing Cities
Secondary Cores
Continuous Urban Fabric The Wall
Agricultural core
Agricultural Areas
Leisure Agriculture
Nature Borders
Port & Airport
92
100
122
214
1.Introduction 1.1 Fiction - Model - Plan What is going to be tested? An old idea from my childhood imagination is going to be tested into the reality of context. The duality of imagination and reality is a natural relationship present in every creative discipline, in this project both are going to be considered equally important. They are going to be merged in a geographical project, with spatial and societal outcome.
6
The vision of a fictional reality is going to affect the conditions of a place, that finally is going to be morphed spatially. A vivid imagination, a model and a plan are the subject of an urban design & art oriented test. A vivid imagination is going to be researched in to the theory of urban analysis. From there an urban model is declared, this can be applied to every urban reality. The model is a not site specific translation of the idea that is going to be tested for the first time in this project.
Introduction 7
Fiction,Model,Plan (Amsterdam 2020)
1.2 Methodology : Design by Image Nothing new but forgotten? Imagination “The faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses” Project “An individual or collaborative enterprise that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim” Reality “The state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to idealistic or notional ideas of them” 8
(Oxford languages) The definition of these different but related words is framing the conceptual sphere in which I intend to operate. What is the relationship between those words in a discipline like urbanism and urban design? How far can imagination affect the realization of a project? How necessary and important is this process for the discipline? The methodology that is mentioned and is wished to be applied and celebrated is not an innovative systematic procedure of designing. In fact every project is a “projection“ of an idea into the reality, and this process involves a certain amount of “freedom“ and “creativity” as much as a “measurable“ and “feasable“ outcome.
9
1.3 “Design by Image” The goal is to achieve a design by imagination and art oriented methodology, where ideas and concepts are expressed by a visual language. A medium that suggest and explains concepts to a recipient with a standard level of understanding. As mentioned previously this is a very common methodology for disciplines and arts where “projection of an idea into the reality“ is involved. I believe that with the latest technological advances and the triumph of rationality, imagination is used less as a design tool, especially in the final phases of a project.
10
Renders and reality simulators and parametric architecture took over the human skills of the designers, producing a less radical and idealistic point of view within the discipline. Utopia and fiction became stigmatized words to indicate a not possible dream, a wasted possibility or an exercise to frame the scope of a project. I wish to reintroduce the method of design by image, in order to enlarge the possibilities of designers and authorities and improve the range of choices in a decisional and design process. Friedman, Nieuwenhuys, Rossi and Piero della Franscesca are few of many artists that were able to influence and stimulate, through images, the imagination of designers, decision makers but also common people outside the discipline of urban policy, design and architecture. Their work is my main inspiration.
Yona Friedman
Aldo Rossi
Piero della Francesca
Constant Nieuwenhuys
11
2. A Triangle 2.1 Context Around 20 years ago I used to spend my free time of my childhood in a very ordinary way: playing with other kids, drawing, and using a lot of imagination. During the moments of loneliness I used to dream about cities and civilizations. Right in front of my house there was a common residential park with different paths and green areas with playgrounds, benches, grass and trees.
12
I use to imagine this area as a big region composed by several archipelagos, rivers, harbours, cities and villages. The different grass fields were islands and the paths of the park were rivers and canals that allowed circulations between the islands. This fantasy game went on for several years until I discovered my passion and ambition to work in the discipline of architecture and urban design. Despite my age I continued to feed the desire of realizing a project concerning this fantasy.
A Triangle 13
2.2 The triangle I imagined the park to consist of several islands and cities connected by rivers and small bays. The most important and central city was a triangular shaped island that was named: Modern city. In reality it was a playground for children, with slides, ropes for climbing, grass, benches and a fountain. In my imagination almost every element was an urban asset of the city such as a building, district or mobility infrastructure. Next to the physical imagination of a city, I also fantasized about the history of the place; the kings, wars and lifestyle of the inhabitants. 14
The architecture was similar to a 18th century European city, but the period was the current year of my childhood. Computers, cars and business centers where included in the picture. It was and still is, a vivid dream of a beautiful city surrounded by water. And in order to remember all this information and notions I kept writing about, sketching and drawing the imagination. In the end it led me to study architecture during my high school, and urban planning during my bachelor.
“The process of fixing ideas, stories and concepts has continued since 20 years. My knowledge about cities and design has grown through every step of my education.�
15
The triangular island: “Modern City” in “Parco Urbano” Settimo Milanese (Milan, Italy)
16
Masterplan of the city-island (Milan 2013)
17
The Cathedral: designed over the original shape of the fountain park (Milan 2001)
Masterplan sketch (Amsterdam 2019)
Perspective (Amsterdam 2019)
Perspective (Amsterdam 2019)
Perspectives (Amsterdam 2019)
18
Spatial transition (Amsterdam 2019)
Densification study (Amsterdam 2019) 19
Masterplan sketch (Amsterdam 2019)
20
Perspective view sketch (Amsterdam 2019)
21
2.3 The model Finally, after years of research I decided to use this idea for my graduation project at the Academy of Architecture of Amsterdam for the master course of Urban Design. The sketch design can be described as a urban system which includes the features of the periphery. The geographical center of the scheme is the “Nature� that the human settlements consider useful and controlled. Natural reserves, recreational areas, industrial production, agriculture, logistic and infrastructure.
22
At the border of the model the hardware of the urban settlement is established. A continuous urban fabric protects the natural core from the outside, that can be seen as a protected natural area. Within the continuous urban fabric three cultural cores are already existing, there is where the history brings the culture to the city. The relation of nature and culture is reconsidered in the urban behaviour that the city dwellers are about to adopt in order to have a balanced ethic of human life.
23
Cultural Core
Secondary Core
Continuous Urban Fabric (The Wall)
The Urban Model; final version (Amsterdam 2019)
Main Agricultural Core
Secondary Agricultural Core
Leisure Agriculture
Intensive Agriculture
Natural Border
3. Urgencies 3.1 Recognizing urgencies The personal desire to develop an imaginative project into a real context requires a reality check. A dive into the human necessities to improve our living environment is useful and inspiring in order to build a coherent research process. Urgencies are considered to be the factors that might contribute to a better design project for future cities. The analysis leads to the main points that the first imagination phase suggests:
24
The behaviour of the human population towards nature. I recognized six major facts that help to structure the hypothesis regarding a specific type of city. A growing city, where services have to be more efficient, where space for dwellings is needed and production has to increase systematically. A city destinated to become a metropolis due to population increase, job opportunities and the necessity of an efficient service system for health education culture and recreation.
Urgencies 25
26
Increasing world population
A report of the United Nations (World Population Prospects 2019: Highlights) declares that: “The world’s population is expected to increase by 2 billion people in the next 30 years, from 7.7 billion currently to 9.7 billion in 2050.” At the same time: “A substantial proportion of assessed species are threatened with extinction and overall trends are deteriorating, with extinction rates increasing sharply in the past century.” (IPBES 2019 Report) The main drivers to natural declines, such as ecosystems and extinction, are connected with human activities: land uptake, loss of values and certain behaviour (IPBES 2019 Report).
27
Image Source: media.globalcitizen.org
28
Within 2050 80% of the world population will live in cities
United Nations report estimates that within 2050 the 80% of the global population will live in cities. The rural population will drastically decrease due to accessibility automation and job opportunities (https://ourworldindata.org/urbanization).
29
Image Source: ESA 2019
30
Urban growth (Metropolitanization)
In the next ten years the world’s largest 600 cities will comprise nearly 65% of global growth. China, India, U.S. and Nigeria will detain the greatest urban population. Therefore, urbanisation has huge investment implications for infrastructure in the next 3-4 decades (Unicef).
31
Image Source: Ecobusiness.com
32
Increase of production
The lack of self production in the rural lifestyle, and the increase of urban population will lead to a necessary increase of production. Automation and great scale systems of production of goods is inevitable by that the rate of consumption will also dramatically increase (FAOstat Population Dynamics).
33
Image Source: NationalGeographic
34
Spatial Saturation & Sprawl
Sprawl is the biggest risk, only in Europe 24.000 ha of land are taken only for industrial and commercial activities, more then 30.000 ha for residential developments and 6000 for infrastructures (Corine land coverage 2006-2012 by European Environmental Agency).
35
Image Source: ESA 2019
36
Overproduction and waste
To satisfy those rates of growth and commercial demands, the production can only be overloaded and in the majority of the cases this leads to the production of an exaggerate amount of waste. In fact the largest part of food waste in developed countries is produced by households and is spurred by three global trends: Urbanisation, resulting in the gradual extension of the supply chain in order to satisfy the requirements of the city dwellers. Increasing remoteness between the place of production and distribution. The final consumption requires food to be transported over greater distances, with the consequential need to improve transport, storage and sale infrastructure to avoid additional losses. (Tracking food waste, 2016)
37
Image Source: the oceancleanup.com
38
Absence of Nature
‘‘Pragmatic and indifference towards romantic nature; those are the city dwellers used to the absence of nature, in the city and in the proximity’’ (Isabel Hoving, On the absence of nature). “The elimination of nature from social science discourse is one of the most noteworthy features of the intellectual history of the social sciences of this century.” (Social science and the absence of nature: uncertainty and the reality of extremes Reiner Grundmann, Nico Stehr, 2020)
39
Image Source: https://biofriendlyplanet.com/environment-issues/how-technology-can-help-us-reduce-the-rate-of-deforestation/
40
Unaware growth
What can be read after those facts is that economical growth is preferred to be a balanced lifestyle of the population. Nature is an underrated feature that is not considered as important to human life. The city is seen as a tool for investments instead of a respectful environment, and it is a mirror of our society. The growth that we are used to is indeed unaware and in most cases necessary to survive in our economical system.
41
Image Source: Lewis Carol Alice in Wonderland
4. Theoretical Framework 4.1 Urban Theory The need of linking the project research with a solid theoretical background is a very important procedure in urban design. The history of the city has many interpretations and authors. But, above all the re-interpretation of sources and paradigms of the discipline helped the research. The sources used are the classical studies of urban patterns given by a physical interpretation of the spatial urban qualities.
42
In addition to that, philosophy played a very important role to prove the choices made for a convincing conclusion. The Work of Kevin Lynch, Richard Weller, Cedric Price and Leonardo Benevolo framed a clear structure of research that gave, by different points of view, a reading of history, theory and philosophy that I truly believe. The following chapter is a punctual research motivated by the necessity of finding arguments in common with the initial idea of the imaginary city: A triangle. This phase represents the core of the project since it motivates the decisions that build up the story and the final proposal.
Theoretical Framework THEORETICAL 43
FRAMEWORK
4.2 Nature-Culture agreement The social science and contemporary urgencies lead theorists and researchers to understand the trends that are affecting our decisions in terms of policies and design. The urgency in the theoretical field of urban design is touching a radical distinction that we often forget. It is about recognizing the importance and the relationship between two paradigms: Nature and Culture. Nature (physics) is what is existing by matter and not made, Democritus (460–370 BCE) stated that nature is nothing more than atoms in a void.
44
Culture (nomos) is what is made, follows symbolism and a sense of belonging produced by belief, religion and communities. The relation nature-culture have to be understood by the human evolution through history, science and religion. The agreement between nature and culture has to be established not by a division but through an integration of the two in a new form. By policy making and design the new urban form can take place in a renovated vision for our living environment doing so that new practices of cooperation and integration can appear.
(Fig.1) Nature - Culture balance
45
(Fig.2) The city as an egg
Richard Weller states that: “the city is not an egg”. This is reacting to a Cerdic Price’s illustration of the evolution of the city seen as recept to cook an egg. This way of interpretation helped the framework for this project to investigate by visualizing the urban evolution following the Nature-Culture relation. (Fig.2)
The positioning of the garden and the market through history played a crucial role for the evolution of the Nature-Culture relation. The Medieval city (S) isolates itself from nature agriculture by the wall, inside the hortus conclusus and the market were the symbol of a controlled nature and a societal meeting point.
46
Along the demolition of the walls the Modern city (M) allowed expansion and drove agriculture and nature away, this led to the institutionalization of markets and parks. The contemporary city (L) destined to become Metropolitan region (XL) includes the massive agricultural production and drove nature further away causing a total absence of it. This generated the need of systems of parks and the introduction of the supermarkets, due to distances and numbers of city dwellers.
47
(Fig.3) The Garden and the Market in the Urban History
4.3 Nature-Culture evolution (Fig.4) When the historic relationship between nature and culture is analysed through sections, the dynamics of the exclusion of nature from the urban environment emerge. The Ancient city (300bc-1000ac) was based upon natural resources and agriculture and considered nature as well sacred as scary. The polytheists considered nature as divine and prophetic. And the monotheism drove the attention away from natural signs.
48
The Knowledge City (1450-1600) collected new species from travels and exchange of goods. Humanism and the invention of perspective led to the attention towards nature as a wise element that should be in harmony with the human actions. The Market City (1600-1800) consolidated the habits of exchange and commerce. The cities were less nature related, and finance started to guide every spatial and ethical decision. The Industrial city (1880-1960) lost its surrounding walls completely, this gave the opportunity to spatial growth for dwellings and industrial developments. Nature was pushed out and replaced with human activities. The Entrepreneur City (1960-2000) was all about investments and finance, nature is a speculative item for tourism and forced compensation. page49 (Fig.4) Nature-Culture evolution in a temporal section serie
The Global city (2000-2020) generates a prevalent capitalistic approach, where sprawl is an old mistake and nature is confined to reserve or to not profitable land. More attention on natural protection is raised, but every city looks alike, even between continents, and local identity tends to disappear.
49
4.4 Shift of Paradigm The importance of nature is recognized only by major systems such like forests, coastlines, mountains or deserts. Basically, nature is recognized where a development is not profitable. In order to consider the proximity of nature more important and more dependent for us a sharp decision has to be taken, by reversing the current modus operandi: from a global focus to a local focus. A return to a local oriented economy will influence the spatial decision in a radical way.
50
In fact in a world of global cities ready to become metropolis and expand their power, accessibility and service radius, localism is a weapon to use in favour of nature, ecology and community making. In this case a shift of the urban paradigm is needed and preferred. (Fig.6) If we detect in the metropolitan pattern of global cities new empty spaces destined to return natural the paradigm of the “dot and line“ city can be turned into a circular or cellular paradigm. The scale of intervention is already metropolitan. It is obvious that the centre of culture will be maintained and protected, while the geographical centre will turn into the natural space. The phenomena of a metropolis in combination with a “local focus” might help the urban cell concept being realized. (Fig.5) Local Focus
51
52
(Fig.6) The shift of the Urban Paradigm
53
4.5 Reference and application In “Metropolitan pattern� Kevin Lynch lists a serie of metropolitan forms of how each city has developed. The Core is the city that affirms in the middle age and maintained its form that can also be considered compact. The Star is the natural evolution of a core patterned city. Mostly by radical infrastructural developments, the expansion is following a mobility oriented form. Many European cities passed this stage of expansion and later they might have suffered from a consequential phenomena called sprawl. 54
In contrast to this trend, many other types of non-compact patterns emerge. Yet the Ring is the typology that coincides with the need of the city to be integrated with nature. Lynch states that few regions have this form: The San Francisco Bay and the Randstad. By the recognition of a similar pattern, many conurbations can be turned into this model to achieve the natural-cultural balance we are looking for. Several options can be formulated by the variations of the cellular dimension or the Ring pattern (Fig.9)
55
(Fig.9) Urban cell variations
5. The Urban Cell 5.1 The metropolitan pattern The Ring figure is one of the metropolitan patterns that Kevin Lynch classified in his publication: Metropolitan patterns. It is also the most suitable configuration for the Nature-Culture balance that is emerging considering the global urgencies and the theoretical framework. A non-city typology is emerging; a cultural-natural paradigm that includes urban and rural settlement, agricultural and industrial land use, recreation, infrastructure and logistics. 56
A new shape which includes all the elements necessary for a well-functioning urban space and as support of the human life. Natural, artificial and manufactual all have the same importance in the Ring figure: ‘An Urban Cell’ which is able to reconnect the human realm to the natural one, where we come from. Dreaming about this new agreement is the first step to take. Imagining a lifestyle where the relationship between city and nature is mutual, protective and supportive in a double sense procedure. It is a celebration of nature through surrounding it by the city. An affirmation of the city by the inversion of a “paradigmatic” protective position and role that wild nature used to have in the past.
The Urban Cell 57
58
By nature we are shaped Apollo and Egea father sun and mother earth we are the mirror of your being bright and fertile powerful like any other natural force far from any alteration we will be and closer to your wise suggestion in harmony with every other shape from you created we will be
59
60
“A city shaped by geography and culture that relies on its natural resources, and enhances them as the principal reason of existence“
61
62
“A city for screening itself from expansion a celebration of its own reason of existence, a natural flow of lives that nature has created, a most natural artificial boundary of coexistence�
63
“An organized border to allow nature and human culture to be part of the same system again�
64
65
66
“A gradient of civilization for a controlled human and natural life in contrast with the wildest natural condition�
67
68
“Fluid and respectful: that’s how our living environment should be”
69
70
71
6. Location Research 6.1 Promising urban cells Through urgencies, urban theory and imagination a new figure has been drawn. A methodology to discover the patterns where it is possible to intervene is now needed. Within the global city pattern: a dense network of infrastructures, compact cities, sprawl areas, logistic, mobility hubs and emptiness can still be found. In the following chapter, the reasons for the specific choice of location will be illustrated. 72
The most promising or prominent metropolitan regions are investigated through the main elements that characterize them. The investigation is purely geographical. Density, vegetation, agriculture and natural features will be the parameters for an accurate selection of the most promising “urban cells“. The principle of application or testing is: tabula scripta. Exploitation already produced natural decline. Yet by the institution of urban cells some conditions can be saved or improved.
Location Research 73
74
Test the urban model in the most dense regions of Europe (https://tjukanov.org/europe3d)
75
6.2 Euro-risk The choice of researching the regional patterns in Europe is motivated by several reasons and tendencies: South fever In the last decade and in the coming two the South of the world will be affected by a “fever for development�. The growing economies like China, Africa, India and Brasil are developing new urban areas for their increasing population, productions and economical structures. Working on Europe by reconsidering the urban form and human behaviour is a reaction to an economical driven direction that the discipline of urban design is now taking. 76
Old city culture From the middle ages, the European cities established a decisive step for humanity to set a development rule to the living environment. The importance of the centre for politics, religion and markets, the relevance of exchange routes and the agricultural land use are the qualities that constitutes the urban form. This type of culture although evolved through centuries is partly still present within the capitalistic trend that has affected the word. A serie of destinated metropolis The main European cities included in the geographical and economical zone: Blue banana (Roger Brunet 1989), are destinated to become more dense urban regions or even metropolis. Since the urban population is drastically growing those are the areas to improve.
77
6.3 Elements of the most dense urban regions The indicators of wealth and liveability in the European continent can be summarized with Cultural and Natural features: Density The Blue Banana identified in central Europe is the home of 110 million people. Around 12 cities consist of 250 inhabitants per square kilometre. And their regions are going to be expanded more and more.
78
Water Since the first civilizations water represents the primary reasons for settlement: The Danube, the Rhine, the Seine the Po, have been the main water backbones for urban civilization. Vegetation Due to growth, expansion and intensive land use, those regions present a dramatic lack of natural vegetation. Their metropolitan patterns might present an opportunity for an ecosystem restoration. Agriculture The massive production required by those regions register an important presence of agricultural land use, on ground or glass houses. This represents an ancient feature surprisingly still noticeable in the most dense European urban regions. (Source: www.citymetric.com)
Density
Water 79
Vegetation
Agriculture
6. Location Research 6.4 Pattern research
80
81
6.5 Investigation The first investigations where executed in two of the most productive regions of Europe: (Belgium, Ruhr Area, Holland) and Po valley. The conurbation between Holland (10 million inhabitants), Belgium (10 million inhabitants) and the Ruhr area (5 million inhabitants) represents one of the most productive, dense and well connected mega region of Central Europe. The dense network connects cities like Dortmund, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Bruxelles. It is also characterized by the very important presence of water as a trading infrastructure. Po valley with 46,000 km2 hosts 23 million people distributed in more than 30 relevant urban centers and 4 main metropolitan regions. Where Milan is the biggest urban reality with more than 5 million inhabitants.
7. Testing the Randstad 7.1 Findings of the research Testing the idea of a Ring city mean investigating the physical and the not physical features of the areas of interest. After finding several well motivated facts the location research led to The Netherlands. Which has turned this certain region into an important and relevant example to test. The Delta Metropolis or The Randstad represents the most dense and good connected urban region of the Netherlands.
82
Including the provinces of Utrecht, North of Holland and South of Holland, the Randstad is hosting circa 8.2 million people in 8,287 km2. With a population density of 1,500/km2. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag and Utrecht are the main and most important cities that are together geographically surrounding an agricultural area called Groene Hart. With a significant importance for natural and agricultural preservation the Groene Hart is the reason why the Randstad (Ring City) obtained the peculiar shape of a circle.
Testing the Randstad 83
Cultural Cores
Existing Cities
Secondary Cores
Continuous Urban Fabric The Wall
Agricultural core
Agricultural Areas
Leisure Agriculture
Nature Borders
Port & Airport
7.2 Randstad > Ring figure The test of the Urban Cell or Ring city is clearly applicable to the morphology of the Randstad. The four main cities consist of the biggest centers for life and work of the metropolis or megalopoli. The ring figure is a mere interpretation of the spatial configuration that coincides with the borders of the Groene Hart. (Fig.2)
84
The edge city, the border city, or simply Rand (ring) Stad (city) is a term invented by the founder of KLM, Alber Plesman that recognized the shape by flying in the Dutch skies. Applying the concept of the Urban Cell to the geography of the Randstad means adapting the principles of the movement lifestyle and regulating the build and unbuild, in order to maintain both the strong features of cities and of the recreational or agricultural spaces. The goal is to create spatial and behavioural awareness regarding the dimension and population of an European metropoli such as London or Paris compared to the unusual configuration of an “Empty City� (Daan Zandbelt).
85
(Fig.2) Ring Figure
7.3 The Unconscious Metropolis
86
(Fig.3) The Unconscious Metropolis
87
(Fig.4) Scale comparison
7.4 Scale Comparison Randstad Greater London Grand Paris San Francisco Bay Area Ruhr area Milan Metropolitan Area
9 million 8,5 million 6,9 million 9 million 2,5 million 10 million
4.300 km² 1.569 km² 814 km² 3.00 km2 4.400 km2 1,575 km2
A visual and numerical comparison between some metropolitan areas mentioned in the research. The Randstad has similar numbers and land extensions as those major regions for the number of inhabitants, density and dimensions. Can be called “the Unconscious Metropolis” because no planning produced this unique urban & natural condition in this way the qualities of the cities and the rural landscape can be merged in a renewed total vision.
7.5 Climate perspective The Blauwe Kamer: “by 2300 the sea level has risen with 15 meters. So in 2300 it makes little sense to raise dikes. A new coastline will emerge, a new relationship between land and water, between man and nature�. This catastrophic prediction is actually a great opportunity to test the Urban Cell principle to the Randstad. Not only the Ring figure fits in the morphology, but now designers and policy makers have to think about a future for the West of the Netherlands which touches, in the lowest point, 6 meters below the sea level. 88
Only the Dune landscape present in the West coast of the Netherlands, facing the North Sea is the natural protection of the Randstad. The rest is composed by Deltaworks in Zeeland and Dikes in the Zuiderzee. The challenge now is to protect 10 million inhabitants from the flood. And by doing that also means that the natural heritage composing the Randstad has to be saved. The idea for a new configuration is the creation of an Island. We let the water enter and we save the Randstad by creating a new Dutch archipelago; an island for the most populated region in Europe. (Fig.6) https://www.blauwekamer.nl/2019/06/07/oproep-schetsen-voor-nederland-in-2300/
89
(Fig.6) Interpretation of Isolated Metropolis
7.6 References In the publication “Four Delta Metropolises feature� by Piet Vollaard, a relevant proposal of a new interpretation of the Deltametropoli is explained. The Government Architect Jo Coene invited four teams with different points of views. The interpretation of OMA is in contrast to the Ring figure of the Randstad by stating three types of cities Central Metropolis (Amsterdam) the old Rhine city and the Conurbation of Den Haag and Rotterdam.
90
The proposal of Luigi Snozzi gives a clear address to the importance of mobility. An elevated train line is connecting the Randstad cities producing the introduction of new centers in the South East coast. The TKA (Teun Koolhaas) proposal for the North flank is considering the Groene Hart as a protected area. It allows expansion in the direction of het Gooi, Almere and the coast. H+N+S: Gardening in the Groene Hart is a proposal based on the green preservation and the recreational relevance of the inner green space of the Randstad. Those examples are only a few of the many reconsiderations of the Randstad model that come close to a natural approach.
OMA
Snozzi
TKA scheme
H+N+S
91
8. The Island 8.1 A new tendency The decision of turning the most dangerous area of the Netherlands into an island is a challenging work of water engineering, social acceptance and philosophy. The idea that Holland is man-made is known to the majority of its citizens, but the risk of flooding, the imminent absence of nature and the pressure on the housing market is not broadly known. The making of an island will turn a dense region into a real metropolis with a stronger identity keeping the past as important as the vision of the future. 92
The strength of the “Randstad Eiland� is to enforce the existing qualities and solve the common issues collectively. Water rise and densification for example can be distributed at the scale of the region but also handled as metropolitan governance. A new geography will determine new commuting routes and relationships with the surrounding land. New design tendencies can be introduced, specially regarding mobility, dense lifestyle and a more natural orientation for a balanced relation with the dominant cultural settlement.
The Island 93
94
“An Island below the sea level is a symbol of mediation between the natural element and the cultural asset’’
95
96
97
“The wind will blow fresher air and the tides will indicate the best moments for fishing or visiting the shore, the changes will bring positive improvements�
98
99
9. The Island Test 9.1 The Island Test Finally the idea is going to land in the specific and complex condition of the Randstad. The Ring figure is the internal border of the urbanized land and the natural border will defend the Randstad from flooding. Strategy philosophy and vision are the ingredients for a regional planning procedure to be extended in the next two hundred years.
100
The Island Test 101
9.2 Concept The idea behind the Island is to generate a double bordered metropolis. The cultural border is established to celebrate the urban form of the unconscious metropolis, with its green heart of nature and agriculture. The natural border is created to defend the domain of the metropolis from sea level rise that might result into the flood of the majority of the Randstad.
102
As mentioned in the beginning of the research the aim of the entire project is to test an ideal urban form by finding an agreement between the natural- and the cultural elements which compose our living.
Nature & Culture
103
THE ISLAND STRATEGY 104
connect
protect
define
The Island Strategy Consists of the process of Natural and Cultural isolation of the Randstad, in order to achieve a balanced agreement between the two elements. It is divided in temporal and spatial sub-strategies in order to prioritize the policies for a better life in an unconscious Metropolis.
live
105
OLD
106
ISLAND STRATEGY
NEW
CITY Old City Strategy Cultural issue: Protect the emptiness The goal is to maintain the cultural elements containing: preserving the historical centers and densify the urban borders through the inner nature (Groene Hart) 107
CITY New City Strategy Natural issue: Deal with the water rising The goal is to protect the cultural element such as cities and productive areas by: creating an artificial and multifunctional border (super dike)
OLD CITY & CENTRAL GARDEN
fig.b
108
fig.c
The historical and existing cities will form an unique metropolis as districts of the Randstad (fig.a) The overlook to the green hart represents the ultimate expansion of the urban development (fig.b) instituted to preserve and enhance the quality of the green heart.(fig.c)
109
fig.a
Urban Dike Urban Dike
NEW CITY & LINEAR PARK Urban Dike Urban Dike Urban Dike Urban Dike Urban Dike Urban Linear Dike city Urban Linear Dike dikecity dike Urban Dike
110
fig.b
Linear city Linear dikecity dikeLinear city Linear dikecity Linear city Water village dike dike Water village Linear city Linear city dike dike Linear city dike Water village Water village Water village Water village Water village LogisticWater dike village LogisticWater dike village Water village
Logistic dike Logistic dike Logistic dike Logistic dike Logistic dike Logistic dike Logistic dike Logistic dike Nomad village Nomad village
The new island configuration will generate new metropolitan borders composed by dikes (fig.a) those are going to be the main infrastructures and fundamental structures for future developments, depending on necessities.(fig.b) Nomad village Nomad village Nomad village Nomad village
111
fig.a
new fast mobility (stronger metropolitan connection)
improve green & blue connectivity
Old City Strategy: The Cultural issue 2020-2050
densify in proximity of the fast mobility (800 m)
112
integrate production in the mobility pattern
downgrade inner cities into modest centers for agriculture hyperloop alternates height
develop new agricultural fields hyperloop alternates height
densify the urban border
stimulate agriculture variety and natural biodiversity
city protects inner green
create green crossable corridors
improve green “belt� in urban border to allow landscape tourism natural reserves densify the urban border
to block urban growth
select suitable industrial areas for urban development hyperloop as landscape element
improve multimodal connections
integrate existing mobility line glasshouses with productionhide leisure living
to reduce energy waste & light pollution
hyperloop as landscape element
improve multimodal connections
create site specific clusters production + work integrate existing mobility line improve leisure urbanliving green with production
& boulevards
green dikes & dunes create site specific clusters elevated hanged glasshouses to protect theand cities production + work
Compact cities strategy: maintaining the current urban quality and develop the former industrial areas first, for a mixed and balanced urban lifestyle. Decreasing the densification of minor cities in the Green heart.
hyperloop alternates height
new fast mobility (stronger metropolitan connection)
hyperloop a landscape elem
improve green & blue connectivity
integrate existing m with production leis
densify in proximity of the fast mobility (800 m)
new fast mobility (stronger metropolitan connection) downgrade inner cities into modest centers for agriculture
improve green & blue connectivity select suitable industrial areas for urban development densify the urban border
113
new fast mobility (stronger metropolitan connection) integrate production in the mobility pattern
densify inagriculture proximity ofvariety stimulate thenatural fast mobility and biodiversity (800 m)
improve green & blue connectivity densify in proximity of develop new agricultural fields the fast mobility (800 m)
integrate production downgrade inner cities create green crossable in modest the mobility pattern into centers for agriculture corridors
downgrade cities select suitable industrial areas hideinner glasshouses to reduce into modest centers agriculture for urban energy for waste & light pollution improve green “belt� in urbandevelopment border to allow landscape tourism
developselect new agricultural fields areas hide glasshouses to reduce suitable include living (control & knowlegde) improve urbanindustrial green & boulevards energy waste & light pollution of specialized production for urban development of mixed intensive agicultural product
Green Clustering: maintaining the qualities of the green hart by assigning a specific destination to each cluster, defined by geographical features, and preserving the cultural history and water management knowledge.
new dunes
p 114 eight
an border
Metropolitan Hyper-Connection Plan One of the main characteristics of a metropolis is the mobility system. This has to be improved in order to connect every part of it in a fast and efficient way. The introduction of the hyperloop is the main step to achieve this goal. Several capsules travel in a tube without air pressure move constantly in circles to guarantee a public metroplitan transportation system.
new fast mobility (stronger metropolitan connection)
imp green & blue
The stations of the hyperloop are going to be new mobility hubs able to connect the existing transportation system with the hyperloop.
hyperloop as landscape element
improve multimodal connections
new fast mobility (stronger metropolitan connection)
densify in proximity of the fast mobility (800 m) improve green & blue connectivity
downgrade into modest cent
integrate existing mobility line with production leisure living
integrate production in the mobility pattern densify in proximity of the fast mobility (800 m)
downgrade inner cities into modest centers for agriculture
develop new ag
select suita for urba
create site specific clusters production + work hyperloop hyperloop alternates heightalternates height
hyperloop alternates height as hyperloop as hyperloop landscape element landscape element
hyperloop as landscape element improve multimodal connections
integrate production in the mobility pattern
improve multimodal improve stimulate agriculture variety connections multimodal and natural biodiversity connections
develop new agricultural fields
create gree corri
hide glass energy was
115
(Fig.6) Randstad Mobility plan
New City Strategy: The Natural issue 2050-2200 densify the urban border
select suitable industrial areas for urban development
e
improve green “belt� in urban border to allow landscape tourism
hide glasshouses to reduce energy waste & light pollution 116 include living (control & knowlegde) of specialized production of mixed intensive agicultural product
improve urban green & boulevards new dunes
(new) super dikes production - hyperloop - leisure
green dikes & dunes to protect the cities
External border protection: The long term goal of this strategy is to create the island, in a safe way, through the construction of a super dike, the activation of bufferzones, and the institutionalization of natural reserves between every city, to improve the urban and natural metabolism.
y nnection)
y of
n ern
ariety sity
(stronger metropolitan connection)
improve green & blue connectivity
downgrade inner cities into modest centers for agriculture
densify in proximity of the fast mobility select suitable industrial areas (800 m) for urban development
green & blue connectivity
Urban densification
Urban densification
Natural barrier
Natural barrier
Urban growth limit line
growth limit line downgrade inner Urban cities into modest centers for agriculture Urban parks
Green corridors
develop new agricultural fields
integrate production hide glasshouses to reduce in the mobility pattern energy waste & light pollution
Urban parks
Green corridors
develop new agricultural fields hyperloop alternates height
hype landsca
117
new fast mobility (stronger metropolitan connection)
create green crossable corridors
natural reserves to block urban growth
improve green & blue connectivity
stimulate agriculture variety and natural biodiversity improve urban green & boulevards
densify in proximity of & dunes green dikes the fast mobility to protect the cities (800 m)
city protects inner green inner cities downgrade into modest centers for agriculture
create green crossable corridors
densify the urban border
integrate exi with product
natural reserves to block urban growthindustrial areas select suitable for urban development
Internal border protection: Creation of the last urban development for each city facing the green heart. The extrovert cities facing the metropolitan garden of the Randstad will represent the symbolic definition of to what extent the urban settlement is able to expand.
Phasing
6 8
1 118
2 4
3 5
7
9
1- Randstad nowadays 2- Compact city strategy 2020-2050 3- Green clustering 2020-2050 4- Hyperloop constructed within 2050 5- Space reservation for the dike 2050-2100 6- Preparation of buffer zones 2050-2100 7- Supedike constructed within 2100 8- Activation of the island and buffer zones 2150 9- Flooding 2200
2100
2020119
2020
2050
Main Actions
120
Connect
Protect
Define
Live inside
8.2 Main actions To ensure a well organized transition from destinated flood land to an island the focal interventions are: Connect the cities with an efficient Hyperloop system. This will offer new opportunities for densification and the development of New Urban Edges. This will Define the border of nature and culture within the Randstad. A new Superdike will protect the entire Randstad and Groene Hart from the flooding. Finally Nature and Culture will find a balanced and liveable example for other cities and communities.
121
10. Interventions The choice for interventions is as well as generic as specific. The characteristics of each type of intervention can also be applied to any other part of the strategic design. The hyperloop station must be a mobility hub capable of reconnecting the natural features nearby. When the dike has the potential to become a linear city, those principles can be extended. The urban edge can be applied to any new densification development facing the Groene Hart.
122
If the flood is very destructive the guidelines for the water village can be applicable to any rural context. Test#1 might be the physical translation of an ideal. Every design solution is suitable to bring guidelines for the overall territory.
Interventions 123
1 ZUIDAS STATION Urban Dike
2 SUPER DIKE Urban Dike Linear city dike
3 URBAN BORDER
124
Water village Linear city dike
4 WATER VILLAGE Logistic dike
Water village
5 SACRED SPACE
125
ZUIDAS STATION
126
“The contemporary traffic exchange station for the metropolis’
127
Hyperloop To connect a metropolis properly, the infrastructural system is the most important physical feature, more then religion and finance, maybe. The future contemporary metropolis has to have an efficient public transport system in order to support the massive exchange between all its parts. The proposal for the Randstad is to introduce an internal light train able to move people in a very fast pace. The transportation vehicle called Hyperloop is crossing the region, touching the border of every city with the natural core: the Groene Hart. 1:500
128
(Fig.1)Hyperloop proposal
This connecting gesture is going to generate new possibilities to densify the areas where the stations are going to be established. (Fig.1)(https://innovationorigins.com/nl/net-als-hardt-hyperloop-ingroningen-gaat-nu-ook-zeleros-een-hyperloop-testbaan-bouwenin-valencia/)
(Fig.2) Mobility hub
129
(Fig.3) Randstad mobility plan
Symbol
130
Name
Randstad Hyperloop
Length
150 km
Height
Max 20 m Min -10 m
Speed
400 km/h
Date
2030-2050
Location Development Aprox cost
Randstad Netherlands Public - Private partnership 7 billion for construction 20â‚Ź per ride
Capacity
20-30 people per wagon 40 wagons total
Stations
8-10
Material
Steel - Concrete - Glass - Carbon fyber
Benefits
Fast and energy neutral connection - 300 million annual revenue
Reference
San Francisco-Los Angeles proposal (The boring company)
Source: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/050815/elon-musks-hyperloop-economically-feasible.asp
Haarlem
CS
ida
Den Haag
lp
or
ph
ol
p
B
a
A
dd
131
he
n
t
Zo
et
er
m
ee
Utrecht C
S
R (Fig.4) Randstad mobilitymap
rd
am
uda
Go
a ud Go
ot te rd am
C
S
tte
W oe rd
en
r
Ro
ena
r Ar
e ijlm
en
of
hi
Ar
Ho
Sc
s
Utrech
L
Den Haag
Zu
n de
ei
st
en
Am
id
er
da m
CS
Haarlem Le
Wo e
rd
en
Zuidas station A playground for development and speed: One of the stations of the Randstad is located in Amsterdam Zuid, a strategic location for commerce, finance, residential development and recreational parks. The opportunity to realize a station in Zuidas increases the challenge of creating a sustainable neighbourhood with the issue of being divided by infrastructures.
1810
The challenge of the municipality to hide the highway underground is the starting point for this crucial intervention.
132
The intervention will consist of improvements in terms or efficiency and liveability of an area that already nowadays is: a mobility hub, financial and business centers, and a residential development. In addition to this features the intervention for the Hyperloop station will bring liveability as the first prerogative for a better neighbourhood.
1920
The historical connection between two landscape features like Amstelscheg and the Amsterdamse Bos is reintroduced using the infrastructural corridor of the A10 which is now dividing the North and South parts of the entire area. An ambitious and new metabolic connection will guarantee to the new southern centre of Amsterdam an ecological aspect; healthy and respectful development.
2019
133
(Fig.5) Zuidas connector of two green corridors
134
(Fig.6) Masterplan for Amstel-Zuidas-Rai
135
Phasing
136
Within 2050 the hyperloop system can be developed as a loop system connecting every edge city facing the Groene Hart. This intervention will activate new developments in order to establish a new harmonic balance between build and unbuild. 1 Space for underground infrastructure is reserved 2 The A10 is placed underground together with the line for the hyperloop 3 A new park covers the train station which allows heat reduction and a new public space for the area
(Fig.7) Phasing by plan
500
1:500
1:500
500
1:500
1:500
137
4 The park will connect the existing parks such as Beatrixpark, Amstelpark and Park Schinkeleilanden 5 The coverage and the new station are completed and generate a new orientation for the road along the A10 6 New urban profiles are creating openings and new areas for horeca mobility exchange, hotels and economical activities. The intervention goal is to activate a new center for Amsterdam in a direct relation with the Groene Hart, with the Hyperloop and to solve the infrastructural issue dividing the North and South districts.
(Fig.8) Phasing by section
138
139
SUPER DIKE
140
“A construction of an eroic border for the cultural settlement to resist to the water invasion’’
141
Super Dike The Randstad Island will have natural borders in the west coast such as the dunes. Yet the rest of the boundaries will be uncovered and in order to protect the natural and urban heritage of the Randstad a dike has to be built. A Superdike is needed, not only for safety reasons but also for programmatic and efficient purposes such as mobility, production, leisure and living. There will be many types of uses along the longest dike of the Netherlands, depending on the connection to its direct existing tangent element. 142
The focus of this intervention is going to be the design of the portion between Amsterdam and Utrecht.
1:500
(Fig.1) Relations with the dike
143
(Fig.2) Contextual map
Symbol
144
Name
East dike Super dike
Length
175 km
Height
20 m
Width
200 m
Date
2050-2100
Location Development Aprox cost Area
(Ijmuiden-Zandam-Amsterdam-Utrecht-Rotterdam-Haven) Public - Private partnership 200 billion 35000 m2
Program
Defense-Production-Infrastructure-Recreation-Living
Material
Concrete - Stone - Sand - Ground
Benefits
Protection from flooding-view point
Reference
Camouflaged dike - Delta dike
145
(Fig.3) Superdike plan
East Dike The location for the dike on the East between Amsterdam and Utrecht, is combining several existing systems that might improve the functioning of the island as a new metropolis. The Rijn canal, the Vinkeveense Plassen, Loosdrechtse Plassen, The A2 highway and the train track are fundamental starting elements for the correct placing of the dike. The design methodology is an attempt of realizing an artificial intervention, with the goal of making it the most natural possible. Following the geographical features of ground heights, expected floods, lakes, rivers and man made infrastructures. 146
1810
The East dike is a tool to protect the metropolitan region of the Randstad, with the aim to be flexible, the dike can be used for several purposes, depending on the scenarios.
1920
2019
147
Phasing 1 The first action to take regarding the defensive system for the Randstad and Groene Hart is the spatial reservation for the dike (200 meters circa) 2 The clustering of the Groene Hart is going to be a strategy to preserve built and unbuilt. Zones in the landscape of the Vinkeveense Polder will become recreational and agricultural clusters able to exchange facilities with the dike 3 The Hyperloop rail is constructed along the railway and the rein canal. A possibile station in Breukelen can be instituted in the future in case the dike will host a linear city 148
4 The bufferzone belonging to Het Gooi is going to be activated in order to prevent the flood in both shores 5 The hard side of the Hollowdike (50 meters wide x 20 meters high) is going to be realized first, after the rest (150) will constitute space for protection and development 6 The inevitable water rising given by a controlled flood will happen along the East coast of the Randstad island by the flooding of the Loosdrechtse Plassen
200 m
200 m
200 m
149 5m 200 m
(Fig.4) Phasing by section and plan
!
200 m
!
200 m
!
150
(Fig.6) Superdike scheme
151
(Fig.7) Spatial principles
+8 +8
P P
+15 +8 +8+20 +15 +20 +15 +8+15 +8 +15 +20 +8 +20 +8+15 +8+15 +15 +20 +15 +8 +15 +15 +20 +20 +20 +15 +15 +15 +8 +8 +8 +8
+15
+8
+15
+8
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P P
PP
P
P
P
P
P
PP
P
P
P
Dike construction
Circulation of the outside
External orientation
Landscape lines overlapping
Adaptation
Grid pattern
Dense core variation
Organic variation
Business district variation
152
(Fig.8) Design process
153
154
155
156
157
158
“A perspective on the old landscape from a completely new point of view�
159
160
161
“New habits might emerge by facing the water that has never been there�
URBAN BORDER
162
“The ultimate urban development to face the natural element of the metropolis’’
163
Urban Border The Island strategy envisions a double protective border: the artificial border composed by the dike to protect the Randstad from the flooding and the urban border to protect the Groene Hart from urban sprawl and expansion. The definition of an ultimate urban development is a physical and symbolic gesture that represents the importance of natural proximity to the city.
1810
The Urban Border strategy is dictated by the presence of the hyperloop, which is generating new opportunities for densifying and new accessibility of central areas which where previously periferic. 164
The intervention in this project is focused on a city: Gouda. Yet the main principles can be applied to every new dense areas that face the Groene Hart.
1920
2019
165
(Fig.1) Context
Symbol
Name
Gouda Border
Length
3 km
Area
2 km2
Density Date
166
Location Development Aprox cost
FSI: 2.3 2020-2050 Gouda Public - Private partnership 1 million
Program
Business center - Recreation - Hyperloop station - Residential development
Material
Brick - Concrete - Wood
Benefits
Accessible dense neighbourhood
167
(Fig.2) Three Linten
168
(Fig.8) Design process
169
(Fig.7) Spatial principles
170
(Fig.8) Urban Border masterplan
171
P P
P
P
P
P P P
-1
P
-1
-1 +10 -1 -1 +20 +15+6 -1 -1 -1 -1 +20 +10-1 +20 +15+6 +15+6 +10 +10 +6 -1 +10 -1+6 -1 +15-1 +20 +6 +10 +10 +6 +20 +10+15 +6 -1+20 -1-1 -1 +15+6 +10 +6 +10 +10 +6 +20 +15+6 +10 +10 +6 +20+10 +15+6 +10 +10 +6 +10+20 +6 +15+6
+10 +6
Hyperloop
Hyperloop station and connection
Historical guidelines
P
P P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P P
P
P
P
P
172
Landscape lines overlapping
P
Linten principle
Wijken cells
P
P P
P
P
P
P P P
P
First stage
(Fig.9) Design process
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P P
P P
Second stage
P
P
Third stage
P
173
P
(Fig.10) Section
174
175
176
177
178
“The transition space is a contrast between city and culture, both for slow and fast mobility�
179
180
181
“New density generates new spaces and new routines of a village that is also a metropolitan district�
WATER VILLAGE
182
“An example of adaptation to the inevitable flooding’’
183
Water Village By 2200 the sea level will rise with at least 5 meters and the altitude of South Holland is going to be a problem for their citizens. The Superdike will be constructed. Nevertheless, some places will not be part of the island or the buffer zones. The Waal river will flood and all the villages around will probably flood too. The proposal for a Water village faces the issue of the flooding by the method of design with water. Instead of building dikes and pump the water out, the strategy here is to live with the water. 184
1810 1810
Old canals will turn into waterways, their banks are going to function as anchoring system for old and new developments. A new economy strictly related with water can arise here and might bring more cultural awareness to the population of the island as much as to the outside population.
1920
The intervention of the watervillage in the South East shore is an example or a pilot project for other rural centers that one day have to face the water issue.
2019
185
(Fig.1) Context
Phasing 1 The first action to take regarding the defensive system for the Randstad and Groene Hart is the spatial reservation for the dike (200 meters circa) 2 The Hyperloop stations of Gouda and Woerden are going to be the closest fast connection for the water village that will lay outside the dike as a linear city 3 The consequences of densification of the areas along the Hyperloop stations will guarantee job opportunities and the chance to move for people who prefer the urban lifestyle above the rural one
186
4 The bufferzone belonging to Waal-Zuid Holland is activated in order to prevent the flood in both shores 5 The hard side of the Hollowdike (50 meters wide x 20 meters high) is going to be realized first, after the rest (150) will constitute space for protection and development. At the same time the villages can start to develop along the Langsing canal parallel to the N210 and N228 6 The inevitable water rising given by a controlled flood will happen along the East coast of the Randstad island by the flooding of the Waal. The Village of Polsbroekerdam will be the pilot project for this new way of living on water.
200 m
200 m
200 m
187 5m 200 m
(Fig.2) Phasing by plan and section
!
200 m
!
200 m
!
Symbol
Name
Water Village
Length
7 km
Area
5 km2
Density
FSI: 1
Date
2020-2050
188
Location Development Aprox cost
Polsbroekerdam Private partnership - Different developer 2 million
Program
Residential - Commercial - Productive
Material
Ground - Concrete
Benefits
Possibility to live on water
Reference
Former polder - Semarang Indonesia
189
190
(Fig.8) Design process
191
(Fig.7) Spatial principles
+1 +10 +20 +10 0
Village preservation
Connection
Historical guidelines
Landscape guidelines
Former river as main infrastructure
Anchored platforms
Floating villages extension
Gated communities
Developers zones
192
(Fig.8) Design process
193
194
195
196
197
198
“How to live with water in the former traditional landscape’’
199
200
201
“The advantage of a water village is the possibility to move freely in every space’’
SACRED SPACE
202
“A protected but accessible space dedicated to nature and agriculture’’
203
The Sacred Space The Groene Hart is one of the main symbols of the Randstad. Polder systems, windmills, lakes and canalization are the documented steps that Holland took over centuries of traditional water engineering. The preservation of this space is crucial for the culture of Holland and the maintenance of the 10 million inhabitants. Actually the production that takes place there is been distributed all over the word.
204
Food production, vegetal maintenance, boat industry, flower production and portal activities are the main productive features that make the Randstad one of the most productive regions in central Europe. The presence of lakes, grass and natural reserves makes the Groene Hart a recreational area that satisfies the need of sport, vacation, entertainment of more then 17 million people. (The Dutch population plus tourists) Cultural activities are also taking place here such as museums and farming. The residential development due to cheaper land value is threatening the ethical value of this land, this is the reason why the intervention will treat the Groene Hart as the garden of the Randstad: A sacred space.
205
(Fig.1) Clusters
Groene Hart Clustering Discourage Residential development Due to lower land value the cities of the Groene Hart should also adopt a compact city strategy. Hoofddorp, Nieuw-Vennep and Zoetemeer will stay the major cities with an ideal dimension of 130.000 inhabitants. Agriculture Some clusters can adopt the majority of agricultural landuse. Westland & Haarlemmermeerpolder will increase the productive rate in order to be the core of agricultural production.
206
Nature and recreation The majority of the clusters near the cities have to become natural reserves. Amsterdamse Bos, Amstelpark & Zweiland are good examples for this action. Midden-Delfland will increase the cultural value in order to preserve more land use. Water basins Due to safety and preservation some unproductive areas might host water basins that can be turned into fish breeding centers or lakes for the new water control system. Westeinderplassen & Braassemermeer might be part of this system. The georaphical clusters with the lowest altitude can partly be turned into lakes and water reservoirs.
Nature & Recreation Nature & Recreation Agriculture & Production Agriculture & Production Water basins Water basins Urban Centers Urban Centers (Fig.9) Clustered Groene Hart
Zoetermeer
Amterdam Bos Amstel park
Vinkeveen
Alphen
Vinkekade
Vleuten-De Meern
Hoofddorp Nieuw Vennep
Amstelveen
Zuideinde
Zweiland
Hazerswoude Dorp
Boskoop
Midden-Delfland Maasland
Rietslootje
207
Haarlemmermeerpolder
Vinkeveen
(Fig.10) Programmatic Matrix
Laagebroek-Mijzijde
Braassemermeer
Westland
Vlietland
Westeinderplassen
Eendragtspolder
Boskoop
Symbol
Name
Groene Hart
Area
450 mi2
Inhabitants
500.000
Date Location 208
Development Aprox cost
2020-2050 Randstad Green core Private partnership - Different developer 1 milion
Program
Agricultural Productive Recreational Residential
Benefits
Maintain natural heritage
209
210
(Fig.9) Clustering icon
211
(Fig.10)Design principles
212
213
11. Panorama Randstad The previous interventions are only five of many others that can be worked out. The symbolism of those is an example for the rest that might follow in a regionalmetropolitan project for the Randstad. The Panorama is an overview executed with the same visual freedom as in the beginning of this project/exploration.
214
Design by image is a statement in which every designer should at least begin with the design discipline. However the discipline is now very rational and dictated by commercial purposes and iper-realistic images, that does not allow the recipient to imagine the contextualization of a project. Panorama Randstad is the last view on top of the Island to observe how life will be with a strategy that works together with the flooding. New dikes will be able to protect the innerland and regulate the altitude of the water. Watervillages can be built by a floating principle that makes it possible to be moved and replaced. New urban boundaries will define the last stage of urbanization of the unconscious Ring city, while extremely fast trains will bring inhabitants and passengers through a land of cities, nature and water.
Panorama Randstad 215
216
217
View from the hyperloop 218
Dike view
View from Amsterdam dike 219
Watervillage boulevard
220
Groene Hart
221
New densification boundary
Bibliography & Sitography Bridges, A. (2019). Nature and Cities: The Ecological Imperative in Urban Design and Planning Edited by Frederick R. Steiner, George F. Thompson, and Armando Carbonell. Friedman, Y. (2006). Yona Friedman ProDomo. L’architecture mobile. Lynch, K. (1961). The pattern of the metropolis. Daedalus, 90(1), 79-98. Sapinsky, M. (2019). Het Eiland Schaap, T. (2018). Real Urbanism Decisive Interventions. Architectura & Natura Stichting Rotterdam-Maaskant. (2000). 4--Edzo Bindels, Ruurd Gietema, Henk Hartzema, Arjan Klok. 010 Publishers. Weller, R. (2019). The City Is Not an Egg: Western Urbanization in Relation to Changing Conceptions of Nature. Nature and Cities
222
Blauwe Kamer (2019). Special: Ontwerpers Schetsen Nederland in 2300 Toen het water kwam, retrieved from https://www. blauwekamerezine.nl/ezine-2019-8/ Blauwe Kamer (2019). Oproep: schetsen voor Nederland in 2300, retrieved from https://www.blauwekamer.nl/2019/06/07/ oproep-schetsen-voor-nederland-in-2300/ Nath, T. (2019). Hyperloop vs. High-Speed Rail Travel: What’s the Difference, retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/ articles/investing/050815/elon-musks-hyperloop-economically-feasible.asp
223
TEST #1: The Island: Translating an urban ideal into an urban design Abstract This project is an attempt for a work methodology where imagination is considered to be the main design tool. The idea is to introduce imagination as a more consistent tool for guiding the process of designing the city.
224
In order to multiply the range of possibilities for a final result I explored the first ideas with the drawing tool; the main medium language of urban design and figurative art. Subsequently, the imagination was confronted with the urgencies of the contemporaneity. The results were analyzed in a theoretical framework. By doing so the view on the ideal was rephrased through imagination and the production of new visual material. Which served as inspiration for the design test: The Island. This project represents the way I would like to work in the field of urban design.
225
226