TU Delft_ Urbanism_ Divya Gunnam_ Designing Urban Environments_ Rivierenbuurt, The Hague

Rivierenbuurt, Den Haag

Densification; Public space design proposal cracking the grid

Divya Gunnam 5099218 Msc Urbanism 1 TU Delft

Contents

2

• Reflection

.... p3

• Site Analysis

.... p4

• Site study

.... p11

• Densification strategies

.... p16

• Public space design

.... p27

Rivierenbuurt , Den Haag Cracking the Grid Sustainability; a synergy of flexible systems Rivierenbuurt is a quaint little neighbourhood in the central district of Den Haag, Netherlands. The first visit of the studio involved walking around the place on foot to get a sense of the neighbourhood. The entrance from the central station is sudden and unexpected. The walk is fairly simple, owing to its natural grid pattern. The dependence on the car and the constant reminder of the hustle-bustle of the city is evident through traffic and noise.

However, the neighbourhood has an intriguing quality where it suddenly transitions into a quiet area towards its heart.

Each street is its own, each district of the neighbourhood is unique. There is an order to everything, clearly stating their purpose. This rigidity also leads to inflexibility. Being a predominantly residential neighbourhood with a small number of car service shops, the place doesn’t offer much to its visitors. The presence of the canal is calming but no infrastructure would allow the residents to loiter in its streets.

This sense of structure often makes it very difficult for future interventions without significant energy loss.

The assignment of densifying the eneighbouhood needs to do more than just adding quantity. It needs to add quality to the life of its current and future residents. This report addresses the idea of sustainability in terms of flexibility of space. The grid is a metaphorical term that represents rigidity and strong barriers between different elements of the neighbourhood. This includes public and private, built and nature, vehicular and pedeestrian and volumes and eye level.

The densification strategy addresses this rigidity at multiple levels attempting to crack it and achieve these niches which in turn promote livability and quality.

Introducing possibilities by cracking open an axIs, a plane or a mass.

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an urban island surrounded by the sea of infrastructure and mobility networks

Rivierenbuurt is flanked on all four sides with busy infrastructure.

The pedestrian permeability through its edges is relatively less due to the viaducts, railway tracks and the canal. The neighbourhood is only used by its residents and the people attempting to reach the station or the central business district. This leads to a lot of through traffic and also high levels of noise and air pollution.

The edges which are heavily influenced by fast-moving transport are very defined and strong which obstruct the pedestrian movement. This is a pity because the neighbourhood is located at an ideal location for pedestrians. The edges need to be softened and lines blurred to increase the pedestrian permeability.

4

Viaduct on the southern side inhibits pedestrian movement and also fragments the neighbouhood

The motorway and the railway tracks to the eastern side contribute to the air, heat and noise pollution

The large office space and the viaducts block the view of the neighbourhood, hinders movement.

The western side has a beautiful canal but the edge treatment prevents people from lingering

Aerial photo of the neighbourhood, Rivieren buurt

Photo courtesy - Alex Gaio

Infrastructure 0 250

500

Green and Blue networks

Zones

1000

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fragments through order disconnected array of neighbourhood islands

The neighbourhood has a very dominant grid due to its heavy dependence on cars. This, in turn, influences the tangible and intangible aspects of the neighbourhood. The fragments act independently with very little interactions amongst them. This vehicular grid characterises the rigidity and the inflexibility of the neighbourhood to allow organic growth and natural flows.

main vehicular access

strong edges, no hierarchy of street network

main axes , dividers of the neighbourhood

isolated and inward looking fragments

streets mainly for parking, limited cross movements

6

very diverse districts no social cohesion

masterplan scale - 1:500

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stresses and oppurtunities disconnected array of neighbourhood islands

For densifying, it is imperative to understand the problems that the neighbourhood is currently struggling with. Bearing in mind the current paradigm of environmental instability and climate change, important issues of the neighbourhood are identified. A SWOT analysis is made to formulate an intervention plan that can simultaneously address today’s issues and future aspurations.

Located between three main transit points, Rivierenbuurt has the highest urban island heat effect in Den Haag.

The neighbourhood is grey due to the paving for the cars. This leads to flooding and water clogging at certain areeas during monsoons.

8

SWOT analysis

enclosed from all sides

location

existance of the canal

less vegetation

accessibility

predominantly residential

Flat roof Sloping roofs

flat roofs

Attic slope and Flat roof

Flat roof

Flat roof

Sloping roofs

Sloping roofs

Attic slope and Flat roof

Attic slope and Flat roof

grey surfaces ;parking areas

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densification; cracking the grid densifying the place by adding value and quality The flexibility of a space can be measured at different scales and in terms of how various elements interact with each other. The sustainability of a place relies on its ability to function efficiently in the long run. The capacity of a place to adapt itself to new demands and constantly evolve in this regard attributes to its sustainability.

The densification strategy of rivierenbuurt is built around the same principle. The area epitomises rigidity and wholeness which in itself can be a challenge. This order that is seen at every level is mapped and questioned. The idea that when something is broken open, new things can be generated is largely at play here. These new instruments can then organically weave with the existing adding value to the place.

This theory is applied to breaking visual continuity, creating interest, introducing hybrid zones to smoothen the public-private realm and also making space for the new influx of residents.

Introducing possibilities by cracking open an axIs, a plane or a mass.

10

people of rivierenbuurt existing trends and future projections rivierenbuurt in numbers

RivierenBuurt Noord Total homes - 1989 Total Population - 3690 RivierenBuurt Zuid Total homes - 494 Total Population - 850

Total homes - 2483 Total population - 4540 New housing units proposed under the new densification strategy - 4500 (derived from the Hague resilience strategy) Projection After densification

Current 2019 10%

15% 25%

35%

65%

50%

0 - 25 25 - 65 65 -

Target Groups - By Age 10%

10%

20%

30%

45%

60%

students middle class upper middle class upper class

35%

Target Groups - By Income • Deriving typologies based on new target groups • Balancing the quality after considering the needs of different target groups • New diverse population - Families, kids, Elderly, Students, Immigrants, Singles Current Projection Residential

Retail

Commercial

Recreational

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rigidity in activities introducing vibrancy to the neighbourhood The map shows the distribution of activities across the neighbourhood. These activities are not attractive and do not contribute to active street life. These are mostly car repair shows, service-oriented offices that do not cater to a wider range of inhabitants. The rigidity in the function I;e the residential should be mixed with active community-building functions.

Residential only Residential + Amenities Residential + Shop + office Residential + shop Without residential

The streets are presently used for mobility of cars. Introduction of community-related functions like studios, gymnasiums and other sports facilities would attract people and contribute to active streets filled with people walking. It also makes people cross isolated fragments and increase interactions.

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rigidity in activities

Under the strategy, each street will have a unique purpose that helps modulate the movement of people. It proposes a pedestrain network on top of vehicular networks.

Not changed Low rise housing Mid rise housing High rise housing Sky scrapers

The edges of the neighbourhood are vulnerable to noise and air pollution. Towers and skyscrapers with multi functions are proposed and thee heart of the neighbourhood is relatively quiet.

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Each street is flanked by functions varying from local amenities like a community centre to retail functions that act for the whole city.

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rigidity in volumes lack of visual stimulation

Existing

Top - up

Cracking the mass

different terraces and microclimates

The neighbourhood predominantly consists of row houses that have an average height of 10 mts.

This rigidity gives very little scope for micro climates and dynamic functions. The strategy breeaks this rigidity by offsetting the massed to give way to these platforms that can be claimed by residents. It adds a sense of visual stimulation while walking.

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movement; lack of hybrid zones providing transitional realms to crack the movement

building foot cycle road

park

road cycle foot building

building

semi cycle

lingering walk cycle semiprivate building

Proposed situation

Present situation

Car free neighbouhood - The roads of rivieren buurt are littered with car parking and moving vehicles. There is hardly any place for pedestrians to walk, let alone linger and have conversation. Once the streets are rid of cars, hybrid zones or transitional areas are created to soothe the transition between public and private zones.

rigid edges, built and nature introducing vibrancy to the neighbourhood

building foot cycle road car

canal

car road foot building

building

semi cycle lingering

canal

walk cycle foot building

The canal has a very strong edge which is currently being used for parking. The car parking areas should be repaved and seating arteas created for the residents of the neighbourhood.

The edges between the nature and built should be softened.

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densification strategies open spaces - fringes, courts and open spaces

The neighbourhood is very dense with existing buildings.

Proposing 200 percent densification comes is challenging when the existing scenario and the limitations are examined.

New densification strategies have to keep this in mind while proposing for addition. Taking inspiration from densification strategies in Sweden and Germany, unique approaches weere created for each type of area.

The limitations and constraints have been identified to examine the scope of these strategies. Demolition is a major source of environmental pollution and hence is only restricted to already dilapitating buildings or buildings with high energy labels. This is also used to break the rigidity of a block to facilitate pedestrian permeability. Most of the density is acheived by topping up on existing buildings and restructing urban blocks to add more volumes.

The neighbourhood will be perceived as a car free neighbourhood and all the parking areas will be converted into communal gardens, walking paths and meeting points.

C - Constraints V - Variations E - Effects Transform Small changes the function of a public space Pedestrianize

Green patches

C - traffic flow

C - sidewalk space V - ‘geveltuintjes’, remodeled parking spaces

V - broader sidewalks, complete pedestrianization

E - greening of streetscape - increased surface porosity

E - loss of space for car traffic

Space Large modifications of public spaces to intensify use C - availability of space

Greening of spaces

Integrate ecology

V - green square , garden park, sports

C - location near water system V - rain buffer, canal overflow buffer, urban farming

E - greening of streetscape - increased surface porosity

E - water buffer

Mass Addition of building mass on open space Build in public spaces C - availability of space, pollution V - pavillion, tower, block E - loss of public space

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Build in courtyards C - availability of open spaces, sight lines V - low block, tower E - loss of (parking) spaces

densification strategies built spaces - existing buildings, footprints and functions

Transform Preserve the mass but change the program C - floorplan

Transform function

Split dwellings

V - office to apartments, school to family homes

C - floorplan V - portico, central lobby

E - loss of non-residential function

E - change in dwelling type

Extend An extension to an existing building Build in gardens

Top up

C- availability of open spaces

C - roof types - historical/morphological value, ownership

V - dwelling extension,addition

V - setback, multi-storey

E- loss of private gardens

E - changing streetscape

Add A larger addition to an urban block Build over buildings

Top up infrastructure

C - daylight, span

C - safety regulations, budget V - park bridge, sky street, neighbourhood on tunnel

V - build over and through existing buildings

E - crossing the setback

E - changing streetscape

Restructure A restructuring of a part of the urban block C - sight lines , ownership, historical/ morphological value

Towers

Break through

C - historical/morphological value, ownership V - build for the same residents, new typologies

V - skyline accent, skyscraper E - changing streetscape

E - displacement

Rebuild Demolition and new construction of an entire block C - historical/morphological value, ownership V - demolish building, E - create new walking routes, access to new areas

Demolish

Convert to public space C - historical/morphological value, ownership V - park, square, street E - loss of mass

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strategy applied to the plan

Preserve Demolish Add/ extend Restructure Transform

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block; analysis and proposal providing transitional realms to crack the movement

Visions 1. Car free Neighbourhood 2. Greenification 3. Cracking the Grid 4. Inclusive Neighbourhoods Each block is studied in its demographics, vulnerabilities and suitable interventions are provided. The cark parking areas are removed and the surfaces are repaved with permeable materials to allow water percolation.

These new courts will act as focal points for pedestrain movements and help increase social cohesion.

Design Spill over functions, private green pockets, hierarchy of volumes, community gardens, introduction of swale for climate moderation Demographics Total dwellings - 455 units Avg ht - 10-40 mts Types - Mixed user groups

Issues High noise level Vehicular domination Cluttered planning Paved parking areas

Strategies Demolish, add, transform Target Groups Students, Singles, Middle and Upper middle class

Functions Offices, Residential, Amenities, Religious Densification - 800 units Heights Top up - 55 - 75 mts

Strategies Top Up, Restructure

Demographics

Target Groups Families with kids, Elderly

Total dwellings - 597 units Avg ht - 10 mts Types - Single family units

Functions Amenities, Residential, Retail

Issues Rigid structure Vehicular domination Grey surfaces Paved parking areas

Densification - 675 units Heights Top up - 10-15 mts Design Spill over functions, private green pockets, some multifunctional buildings, community gardens, introduction of swale for climate moderation

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block; analysis and proposal providing transitional realms to crack the movement

Demographics

Strategies Top Up, Restructure

Total dwellings - 421 units Avg ht - 12 mts Types - Family units, Shared units

Target Groups - Students, Elderly, Single Functions Amenities, Residential, Retail

Issues Closed block Vehicular domination Dense and cluttered buildings Paved parking areas

Densification - 675 units Heights Top up - 15-20 mts Design Spill over functions, mixed use building, main pedestrian axes, wandering pathways, community courtyards

Strategies Add, Top Up, Restructure Demographics

Target Groups - Families, , Singles, Students

Total dwellings - 416 units Avg ht - 12 mts Types - Family units, shared units

Functions Mixed, Residential, Amenities, Cafes, Retail markets

Issues Noise Pollution Vehicular domination Busy and noisy infrastructure Via duct, no place to cross

Densification - 1200 units Heights Towers - 40-52 mts Top up - 10-15 mts Design Reintroducing canal, clusters with green pockets, people’s edge, commercial activity

Strategies Add, Top Up, Restructure Demographics

Target Groups - Families, Elderly, Single

Total dwellings - 322 units Avg ht - 10 mts Types - Single family units

Functions Mixed, Residential, Amenities

Issues Noise Pollution Vehicular domination Busy and noisy infrastructure Paved parking areas

Densification - 675 units Heights Towers - 24-30 mts Top up - 10-15 mts Design Overlooking terraces, towers to block the noise pollution, introduction of a swale for micro climate moderation, spill over areas for community building

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new masterplan scale - 1:500

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schenkviaduct the economic centre of rivierenbuurt

Cracking the existing road network. The viaduct will be transformed into a pedestrian bridge. The width of the road will be used to reopen the canal.

This road will become a vibrant city centre that will attract people from all around the cit giving the necessary economic boost.

key plan

current

proposed The platerijstraat will be transformed into an important pedestrian promenade. The ground level spaces will be transformed to host neighbourhood amenities like laundry, stationery, cafes, gyms to attract people. It acts as an important catalyst for movement and interaction.

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pletterijstraat the vibrant centre of rivierenbuurt

Cracking the existant order of functions. The platerijstraat will be transformed into an important pedestrian promenade. The ground level spaces will be transformed to host neighbourhood amenities like laundry, stationery, cafes, gyms to attract people.

key plan

current

proposed The platerijstraat will be transformed into an important pedestrian promenade. The ground level spaces will be transformed to host neighbourhood amenities like laundry, stationery, cafes, gyms to attract people. It acts as an important catalyst for movement and interaction.

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densification of rivierenbuurt

Section before densification

Section post densification

25

Section courtesy - Jort , View courtesy - Kinga muwraska

new additions top up

26

introducing water streams regulating microclimates

The rigid surfaces of asphalt are broken open and vegetation and water are allowed to take over. This brings down the heat stress of the place and acts as a magnet for pedestrian activity.

key plan

schenkviaduct - plaza in front of the historical monument

Maastraat The social housing will have front gardens and community gardens that will acts as proponants of environmental and social sustainability. These swales and green pockets reduce the air pollution and bring down the heat complex of the neighbourhood. The surface treatments are permeable.

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public space - design community space inside the social housing

The selected site is the courtyard between social housing units.

It is predominantly used for car parking currently. After the neighbourhood becomes car free, the these grey courts can be designed to become something of great value.

The view shows the heights and the grey surfaces for parking and lack of vegetation at the site.

The courtyard will become a semi public plaza that caters to the needs of different inhabitants as well as the neighbourhood as a whole.

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densification around the block Building information

Existing Dwelllings - 85 units Proposed - 185 Units Retained buildings - 69 Restructed buildings - 7 Demolished buildings - 9

Concept Juxtaposition of grids to create spaces

Existing grid

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New movement pattern of residents

Overlapping the grids

densification built - new mass additions

Top - up

Existing

Restructure

Proposed

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evolution of design applying the concept to the public space; cracking the elements

Vehicular Private

Existing path

Semi Private

New path

Semi Public

Lobby

Public/open

Common activities

Pedestrian

Vehicular

Existing Highly vehicular, grey courtyards and very little transition place

Private Semi Private Semi Public Vehicular Public/open Private Pedestrian Semi Private

Breaking the mass to facilitate movement

New path Lobby Common activities Existing path New path

Semi Public

Lobby

Public/open

Common activities

Pedestrian

Residential

Add/ Top up

Lobby

Transform

Amenities

Restructure

Water flow

Demolish

People flow

Residential

Add/ Top up

Lobby

Transform

Amenities

Restructure

Water flow Residential People flow Lobby

Demolish Add/ Top up Transform

Amenities

Restructure

Water flow

Demolish

Densification strategy

Existing path

Natural and human flows

People flow

Residential

Residential

Lobby

Lobby

Main axis flow

Cracks/ Fragments

Secondary flow

Residential

Residential

Lobby

Lobby

Main axis flow

Cracks/ Fragments

Secondary flow Residential

Residential

Lobby

Lobby

Main axis flow

Cracks/ Fragments

Secondary flow

movement patterns and axes

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formation of clusters by cracking the grid

plans of each floor restructuring the urban block

Row houses

Row houses

Stairwell / Lift

Towers; Studios

Cycle parks/ Storage facilities Row housesfunctions Community

Row houses

Community functions

Waste collection areas/ Stairwell / Lift Retail Cycle parks/ Storage facilities Community functions

Towers; Studios Community functions

Waste collection areas/ Retail Row houses

Ground Floor Lvl - +00

Stairwell / Lift Cycle parks/ Storage facilities Community functions

Row houses

First Floor Lvl - +3.00mts

Towers; Studios Community functions

Waste collection areas/ Retail

Row houses

Towers; Studios

Towers; Studios

Apartments

Apartments

Terraces; Green roofs

Row houses Viewing Gallery

Towers; Studios

Towers; Studios

Apartments

Apartments

Terraces; Green roofs

Viewing Gallery

Row houses

Towers; Studios

Towers; Studios

Apartments

Apartments

Terraces; Green roofs

Viewing Gallery

Second Floor Lvl - +6.00 mts

Fourth Floor Lvl - +12.00 mts

Third Floor Lvl - +9.00mts

Towers; Studios

Towers; Studios

Apartments

Apartments

Terraces; Green roofs

Terraces; Green roofs

Towers; Studios

Towers; Studios

Apartments

Apartments

Terraces; Green roofs

Terraces; Green roofs

Towers; Studios

Towers; Studios

Apartments

Apartments

Terraces; Green roofs

Terraces; Green roofs

Fifth Floor Lvl - +15.00mts

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people flows ownership and claim of the people

Vehicular Private Semi Private Semi Public Public/open Pedestrian

6:00

8:00

10:00

12:00

2:00

4:00

6:00

8:00

10:00

flows of people - time based movement Vitality of the space depends on how well and how efficiently it is being used by the residents of the area. The community space caters to people of all age groups all around the day. It acts as a catalyst for social cohesion and belongs to each and everyone.

Vehicular

Vehicular

Private

Private

Semi Private

Semi Private

Semi Public

Semi Public

Public/open

Public/open

Pedestrian

Pedestrian

openness of the block - rearranging the open areas of the block

Vehicular

Vehicular

Private

Private

Private

Semi Private

Semi Private

Semi Public

Semi Public

Semi Public

Public/open

Public/open

Public/open

Pedestrian

Pedestrian

Semi Private

Existing - Backyards with sheds

Claimed land for densification

Providing both front and backyards

The rowhouses currently have long backyards with garages. In the new proposal, half of this area will be taken up for the community space and front gardens are proposed. This maintains a public to private hierarchy around the house and also helps greenify the roads.

Vehicular Private

Private

Semi Private

Semi Private

Semi Public

Semi Public

Public/open

Public/open

Pedestrian

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determinance flexibility of the space

circulation area

Flexible/ open to interpretation Unspecified Fixed function

The public plaza is a flexible area that can accomodate different age groups and social groups.

For this reason, the area is further divided into equal fixed and flexible areas. There are also provisions for adaptability in the future. The space can transform keeping up with the demands and this flexibility lends to a sustainable space.

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plan of the public space - 1:300 Block overview of proposals

Swale Shallow flowing wate reduce the micro cli increse the ground quali

Amphitheatre Competitive kids performance areas, and other social events. Steps for seating and reecreational purposes

Covered pergola Gathering places that are flexible in nature; community kitchens and get togethers

Community hall Houses gym, yoga area on the ground floor, sports facilities underground that opens up to the sunken garden.

A

Gardens Flexible areas for playing, meeeting and other recreational activities

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er to help imate and ity

Rainwater collection pond These water ponds are supplied by water harvesting systems and can be used for gardening and recreation purposes

Library For book clubs, and also hosts a viewing gallery on the top

Gardens Flexible areas for playing, meeting and other recreational activities

A

B Green house It houses ancillary functions necessary for urban farming and also indoor crops that need special light and heat.

Allotment gardens Soil beds are provided for growing small scale crops for inter communal consumption.

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sections of the public space - 1:300 Connections of plaza with the block

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Section AA’

Section BB’

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public space view space with the surroundings

Terraces The breaking of mass modulates the perception of overbearing buildings all aroung the plaza. The visual line is always at 10 mts to maintain human scale.

Sunken Plazas Cracking the ground plane to create different microclimates for different organsims. These also act as catchment for water during monsoons. Dubs as a waterpark.

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Towers The north houses used for installing

s the tallest towers and g solar panels

Terraces The overlooking terraces are used for terrace farming and green roofs

Viewing Galleries Maintain visual connection between the buildings and ground plane engaging social activity.

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materiality open spaces - fringes, courts

Permeable paving

Shrubs for spatial differentiation

Random rubble steps for seating

play area, light grazing

Paver blocks Swale, natural growth

material palette

Reference - images taken from google

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Detail plan materials, edges and surfaces

A

A

paver blocks

wood

curb stone

sand

permeable pavers

earth for mounds

Section A-A

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view of the sunken courts with the building space with the surroundings

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bibliography WEBPAGES https://www.pps.org/ http://www.urbanisten.nl/ wp/?portfolio=waterplein-benthemplei https://www.citylab.com/ https://streetmix.net/ http://bauland.lt/Europan-14-Productive-Angers https://www.sidewalktoronto.ca/ BOOKS The concise townscape- by Gordon Cullen The City at Eye Level- STIPO Make Your City- Eva de Klerk Urban Grids Urban Design Reader Urban Space, Public Place Flexible City

thank you

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