A b s t r a c t o f M a s t e r ’s T h e s i s D e s c r i p t i o n : RENEWAL OF KATTENBURG POLDER IN AMSTERDAM REWITALIZACJA POLDERU KATTENBURG W AMSTERDAMIE
Tadeusz Kościuszko Cracow University of Technology Faculty of Architecture major: Architecture and Urban Design (Architecture) Instytut Projektowania Miast i Regionów Katedra Budowy Miast/Pracownia Odnowy Miast
Politechnika Krakowska im. Tadeusza Kościuszki Wydział Architektury kierunek Architektura i Urbanistyka (Architektura) Instytut Projektowania Miast i Regionów Katedra Budowy Miast/Pracownia Odnowy Miast
Thesis supervisor I: prof. dr hab. inż. arch. Zbigniew Zuziak Thesis supervisor II: dr inż. arch. Andrzej Hrabiec Reviewer: dr hab. inż. arch. Marek Kowicki Author: Joanna Bobik Academic year: 2013/2014
Promotor: prof. dr hab. inż. arch. Zbigniew Zuziak Współpromotor: dr inż. arch. Andrzej Hrabiec Recenzent: dr hab. inż. arch. Marek Kowicki Autor: Joanna Bobik Rok akademicki: 2013/2014
Date of presentation: 16.12.2014
Data prezentacji: 16.12.2014
R E N E W A L O F K AT T E N B U R G P O L D E R I N A M S T E R D A M Master ’s Thesis Desctription (abstract)
The project presented in the following Master’s thesis is an attempt to answer the question related to development of a post-industrial harbour area in Amsterdam. Kattenburg polder, which is the subject of the renewal, served as an active port in the 17th century, whereas currently it is non-public land that belongs to the Royal Netherlands Navy. The issue of port-related services within Amsterdam is connected with the gradual relocation of industrial port zones over the centuries. This journey of an active port within the city boundaries, upon which several factors were influencial (e.g. development of the port infractructure, depths of navigable channels, connecting Amsterdam’s bays to the North Sea by man-made channels) resulted in an expansion of post-industrial areas in the built-up city center. The changing relationship between the city and its port, as well as the way the post-industrial area is managed, are intriguing topics considered in the project of Kattenburg renewal. Kattenburg polder is one of three neighbouring polders (Kattenburg, Wittenburg and Oostenburg) reclaimed during the fourth and final inner city expansion in the 17th century. The fruit of this expansion, which is the 17th century reclaimed and reshaped band of parallel concentric canals, with its precious built-up area ,remains on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The situation of the polder, together with its rich history, requires a project that will fully respect this unique feature of Amsterdam in a broader sense. Consequently, the aim of this renewal is intentional intervention within the waterfront developmental axis so as to strenghten it with a high-quality multi-functional urban complex. The proposed land management of Kattenburg polder follows the overall vision of the Municipality Physical Planning Department (Dienst Ruimtelijke Ordening, DRO) which strives for integration of urban tissue with the isolated and extremely attractive terrain over the water of the former Eastern Docks. The variety of already-working projects within renewed riverbanks of the IJ-river, e.g. along Oostelijke Handelskade (former trading port polder) and the Eastern Harbour District encourages for expansion of this successful management up to the Eastern Islands (Kattenburg, Wittenburg and Oostenburg). This refers to the idea called “Anchors in the IJ”, according to which the post-industrial area of eastern residential districts was organised. A close-knit and dense network of such urban and architectural anchors/magnets in the form of spatial accents should also describe the development of the waterfront band including Kattenburg polder. Due to the unique situation, the polder has a chance to act as an extraordinary actor among these nodes or anchors with its broad variety of uses and architectural forms. Respecting the past and trying to make use of Kattenburg’s potential, proposed development ought to offer a meaningful exposition platform competing with the Museumplein (Museums Quarter) located in the southern part of Amsterdam. However, the idea of exposition here should be perceived more broadly on various levels, where art as one of the city’s engines is constituted among these levels. A thorough examination of the main currents followed by Amsterdam contributed to the general exhibition of its creative force wrapped within innovative urban forms. Thanks to Amsterdam’s multicultural inhabitants, this exhibition obtained even more expression. The project of Kattenburg renewal is thus a way to grasp and express in forms this dynamic development of Amsterdam. In the past the city expressed this vitality with a profitable harbour, which was a source not only of income but also of intellectual currents and a mixture of nations bringing fresh ideas on the incoming boats. Nowadays the waterfront plaform no longer serves its industrial harbour, which gradually drifts away from the city center. Instead, on the surface of its water it reflects bustling city life, and this Master’s thesis project is obliged to contribute to, assist and develop this quality of waterfront tissue even farther. In order to present the unique location of Kattenburg polder and its transformation during the development process of Amsterdam, it is essential to refer to the broader urban scale which includes Randstad conurbation and its “command center”, Deltametropolis. Both structures, following the idea of a border city with its dense network of transportation system between all Randstad’s nodes, are characterised by strictly defined urban expansion. The latter means protecting the Green Heart, which is said to be the blue-green gold of the Netherlands, as well as reasonable densification of rich urban tissue within this edge/border city. Consequently, all the nodes of Randstad urban tissue, e.g. Rotterdam, Utrecht and Amsterdam, follow this directed expansion. Perceiving this situation in Amsterdam, the 1
R E N E W A L O F K AT T E N B U R G P O L D E R I N A M S T E R D A M Master ’s Thesis Desctription (abstract)
horizontal (east-west) main developmental axis is clearly visible here. It results from the proximity of Haarlem (western neighbour of Amsterdam) as well as Almere and Utrecht (eastern neighbours). Natural spatial constraints of protected Green Heart on the nothern and southern side of Amsterdam additionally strenghten this horizontal axis. Nevertheless, this is not the only significant axis shaping the city which should be mentioned while discussing Katenburg’s renewal. Extremely vivid nodes within Amsterdam are also: the harbour (spreading its infrastructure westward along the North Sea Canal), Schiphol airport (around which the airport-city emerges), economic southern axis (Zuidas) embracing the city with its band of lively developing tertiary sector and constantly revitalised waterfront over the IJ river (dynamically expanded eastwards with the polder system such as Ijburg and “struggling” westwards with the active harbour). Connections and relations between the aforementioned nodes create a dense network which is a base for city prosperity, gaining the image of a well-administered and robust organism of advanced service and industrial sectors. However, the project’s site relation between Amsterdam’s port and waterfront requires detailed insight in order to fully understand the location of Kattenburg polder and all the influences concerning its proposed land use. Along the area port-waterfront (horizontal developmental axis of the city) a noteworthy and influential transformation is observed. Numerous representative residential districts with well-developed service and recreational uses of revitalised post-industrial port tissue is proof of efficient management of Amsterdam’s unique potential along the IJ river. Here, according to the Department of Physical Planning, Kattenburg polder should also join the current and be appropriately exposed. The attitude toward Eastern Harbour District development (of mainly residential function) and its composition idea “Anchors in the IJ” mentioned above provide us with the tools or the language which can be used while expanding waterfront renewal. Post-industrial areas around the urban collar of Kattenburg polder and of course the polder itself can continue this consistent policy while developing a new, highquality image for the waterfront. Originally the idea of “Anchors in the IJ” was to create a network of outstanding structures or public spaces among the “sea” of the residential Eastern Harbour District. These spatial accents are intended to generate intense flows of pedestrians and cyclists acting literally as magnets or anchors. Natuarally, they are linked by transportation and view corridors. Including Kattenburg polder in this system is justified by numerous historically and architecturally significant places (public spaces and buildings) which, as a ring, surround the polder. Among these “Anchors in the IJ” there is a variety of acclaimed buildings and therefore land use of Kattenburg polder should be integrated into this ring co-operating and making use of such an extraordinary neighborhood. Located to the north of the Kattenburg polder, elongated Oostelijke Handelskade (with its representative and recongised buildings) or equally attractive Oosterdok, with its cultural edifices over the water of the former Eastern Docks are already extremely characteristic places and prime examples of working renewed spaces. In any case, Kattenburg polder remains in a peculiar situation. It is separated from the previously mentioned attractive built-up areas with the canal’s water, and the only land connection there provides the eastern side with Kattenburgerstraat. Remaining a built-up area it serves as a residential site of the Kattenburg. The residential district spreads over neighbouring polders such as Wittenburg and Oostenburg towards the east. Therefore, any new development of the polder has to take this into consideration, as it deals with large number of residents of different ages. The group of three polders (Kattenburg, Wittenburg and Oostenburg) as a fruit of the fourth and final inner city expansion conducted in the 17th century, is currently on the UNESCO World Heritage List and this fact has a direct impact on high-rise buildings and their location. The aim here is to protect the historical silhouette of the heart of Amsterdam with its precious view corridors. On the other hand limitations are introduced by the railroad from the northern side along the Dijksgracht canal. It is the fruit - blessing or curse - of the industrial heyday (during the end of 19th century and the beginnig of the 20th century) of the city’s harbour, active in Eastern Harbour Disctrict. The neighbourhood of Central Station in the west and the rail network with its wide parking spaces was crucial for the prosperity of the harbour at that time. Unfortunately, while the port has been relocated, these conditions are not planned to be changed or modified in the near future according to the Department of Physical Planning of Amsterdam. These 2
R E N E W A L O F K AT T E N B U R G P O L D E R I N A M S T E R D A M Master ’s Thesis Desctription (abstract)
are extremely significant factors that have to be taken into consideration while designing a new future for the Kattenburg polder. Because of the listed spatial limitations which have direct impact on communication with the polder, the main idea of the project is to promote open-air public spaces in which the built-up area plays a rather secondary role. It houses a rich functional-utility programme and is intended to enclose the second side of Kattenburgerstraat, stretching all the way along it. The street is a connection to the A10 beltway through an underwater car tunnel (IJtunnel) crossing Ossterdok and the IJ river. Taking into consideration flood protection of the Kattenburg area, which remains outside the city’s main dykes (along Zeedijk, Haarlemmerdijk and Hoogte Kadijk), it was decided to locate all significant buildings along the Kattenburgerstraat. The profile of the terrain here clearly illustrates that the street is significantly elevated in relation to the western site of Kattenburg. The idea of the project’s composition relies on two urban nets. The first one refers to an important Amsterdam monument which is the National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) located on the sounthern edge of Kattenburg. The building has a rectangular plan with a spacious courtyard and its dimensions were used while shaping new architectural tissue. Reference lines of the museum continue the built-up band along the street and the rectangle of the museum’s plan provides a module for the orthogonal net of the project. With such strict reference to the museum’s location, the new buildings found their proper sites stretching the designed architecture toward the north-east. The effect of such a maneuver was covering only the south-east side of the polder with a built-up area, leaving the rest as an open, accessible landscape surrounded by the water of Dijksgracht and Oosterdok. Additionally, the purpose of such a maneuver is to strenghten the position and view of the Science Center NEMO from the polder, which is undoubtedly the focus of the city’s contemporary architecture. The Center is located on the nearby tip where the IJtunnel begins to enter the crossing under the water of Oosterdok. What is important to stress is the broad panoramic view from the upper deck of NEMO (serving as an urban beach) which gives an opportunity to grasp the whole space and the tranquility of green Kattenburg polder. The second urban net that shapes the conceptual design of the site can be called its major communication spine - a dense network of footpaths as shared zones for cyclists, pedestrians and ,in restricted areas, nearby Kattenburgerstraat for cars. While demarcating them, the idea was to follow existing directions provided by neighbouring transportation paths and forms within the builtup area of the residential site of Kattenburg. It was crucial to connect, as much as possible, new and exisiting passageways used by vast numbers of Kattenburg residents. Futhermore, “welding” Kattenburgerstraat and the street along Dijksgracht canal in order to expand the network of cycle lanes following the railroad embankment was the purpose of the new net. Additional directions for the system provided the coastlines of nearby Wittenburg and Oostenburg polders, as well as the shape of the bay within Kattenburg. They all continue in forms of communication paths within the project. Kattenburg’s neighbour - glamorous built-up, elongated polder Oostelijke Handelskade, with its high-rise accents, was also treated as a reference for the designed passageways. Several of the view corridors of the passageways were closed or embraced in the north side by these high edifices of Oostelijke Handelskade. Among the designed communication spine, its three main “bones” can be pointed out. These axes organise the overall space, limiting the site for buildings and public spaces. As for the idea of the functional-utility programme, the designed land use of Kattenburg polder is an attempt to clarify and extract Amsterdam’s essence - three main currents that flow through the city reflecting its spirit. They are as follows: harbour character, creativity and multiculturalism of the society. Therefore, all designed buildings, as well as public spaces were equipped with a programme that in broad sense expresses those three currents. As a consequence Kattenburg polder’s environmentally friendly Eco-plein (plein=square) emerged, housing a node of creativity and making use of a talented society. The way the space within the polder was organised can be clearly described following the 3
R E N E W A L O F K AT T E N B U R G P O L D E R I N A M S T E R D A M Master ’s Thesis Desctription (abstract)
arrangement of three main axes of the communication spine. Beginnig with the first one - the architectural axis is stretched from east to west along the entire site of the polder. From the western side it emerges with spreading of the terrain and a sculpturesque low building over the bay which houses a sailing school, gastronomy section (the “so-called” market of world cuisine) and service for the marina. On the other side of this axis from the east there is a closing accent, in the form of high-rise hotel (90m) which offers art studios in its lower wing. The area between these two buildings, embracing this architectural axis, is filled with a system of various public spaces diversified by finishings materials, urban furniture and levels of the ground. The importance of this group of public spaces is intensified by the fact that three major axes of the composition intersect there. As a result, it constitutes the main node of the Kattenburg public space, concentrating flows of people and offering numerous spaces encouraging relaxation and integration among greenery and high quality urban design. The linear array of the public spaces, following the architectural axis, is embraced from the south by two buildings clearly resembling the shape of the Maritime Museum. A conference center is located close to the hotel and both buildings are served by an underground automated car park, as well as underground automated bicycle parking. The second building near the marina serves as a multi-functional creative space that is intended to stress the general artistic spirit of new Eco-plein. In its several segments, the following programme was arranged: an outdoor and indoor climbing hall, photography lab and language school which cooperates with a travel center. The latter has an elevated wing which provides covered ground floor of green public space with a direct view of the marina. This elevated section facilitates an unobstructed view from the central node of public spaces toward the picturesque bay and the historical exhibition of the Maritime Museum’s boats. The second of the three major composing axes of the project is called the green axis. It begins in the southern part of Kattenburg with a spacious public square near the Maritime Museum, in an area of intensified flows of people brought about by the museum’s activities, as well as passageway exits from the residential site of the polder. The square, accentuated with an urban sculpture, serves as a foreground for the glazed organic form of a botanical garden. Together with its secondary, smaller pavillions along the inner Kattenburg bay, the garden provides a green wedge into the urban park. The park plays the role of buffer between Kattenburgerstraat and the tranquil bay, and due to the types of planted trees it is intended to resemble the character of a natural Dutch forest. Through the passage of the botanical garden flows of people discover the inner space of the Eco-plein walking along the bay, marina and water parks within wide basins leading to Dijksgracht canal, where this green axis is enclosed with a high wooden pergola. The structure of glued laminated timber accentuates the park character of the axis and remains open receiving flows of pedestrians and cyclists from all four directions. Furthermore, it invites passers-by to cross the footbridge spanning the Dijksgracht canal. The last of the three described composing axes is the sculpture axis, which arises from the direction given by passageways (Kattenburgerkruisstraat) and buildings’ arrangement on the residential side of Kattenburg polder. Staying perpendicular to Kattenburgerstraat from this side, it is enclosed by a sculpted gate spanning high above the entrance path. The axis then continues through Ecoplein, housing on its way sculptural accents located on nodal points which are intended to enhance integration of Eco-plein users. The highlight and culmination point of the axis is the main green public space of renewed Kattenburg - a sculpture garden located in the northern part of the polder. It encloses the sculptural axis with an elevated observation deck equipped with a wooden mast which resembles sail cloth and informs about the current exhibition theme. The sculpture garden is an attempt to grasp the character of this unique site filled till the edges with rich history. Slanted floating green lawns and finishing materials are intended to recall the harbour spirit and refer to the hull of the NEMO Science Center. Among meandering exhibition paths, over the lawns enriched with vivid greenery, people flows are distributed. This type of public space is undoubtedly precious for a city with a tradition of outdoor picnics. Visitors of this outdoor museum have an opportunity to delight in and contemplate works of art and the quiet of this green retreat (the sculpture garden is located outside of the noise pollution caused by public transport) overlooking the picturesque waterscape accentuated with the NEMO copper-clad 4
R E N E W A L O F K AT T E N B U R G P O L D E R I N A M S T E R D A M Master ’s Thesis Desctription (abstract)
boat. The stretched, wide slopes of the garden express a respectful attitude toward the neighbouring architectural icon - the NEMO Science Center. Kattenburg polder is embraced by the water of Dijksgracht and the Eastern Docks from all three sides, and this fact of direct accesibility to this Dutch “blue gold” encouraged to introduction of two different recreational coastlines. The first one follows meandering lines along Dijksgracht canal and is intended to be the active bank filled with a diversity of sports facilities: a sports square with multifunctional field and athletics track, wide skatepark and jogging and walking alleys incorporated in the greenery. Conversely, on the western side all the coastal recreational forms follow polygonal chains. This space is enriched by tailor-made wooden urban furniture and the paths’ finishing surfaces. The paths along the bank embrace squares - significant spaces of integration. They offer a functional programme which allows a neighbouring public library, conservatory, contemporary music center, jazz cafes and museums to influence the type of social activities taking place there. In this part of the polder a spatial accent provides a gradually elevated footbridge which begins at the marina’s market of world cuisine and, step by step, approaches ground level in the northern part of the sculpture garden. This urban accent is a reference to the Parisian elevated footbridges of Parc de la Vilette, trying to grasp its unique spirit over the canals. They act as an addtitional elevated platform from which all the activities of the bustling ground floor of the coastline can be observed. The name given to the polder - Eco-plein is an intentional reference to Museumplein (Museum Quarter) in Amsterdam. Exhibition space applies to the broadly perceived art which is experienced in various ways within the site. However, Eco-plein also stresses the diversity of environmentally friendly approaches among Kattenburg space, which enables it to stand out from the anchors along the IJ river. Due to the accumulation of green surfaces in the forms of green roofs, vertical gardens, elevated slopes and urban and water parks isolated from car traffic, this place is justified in being called “ the green heart” of the city. The way it manages solar energy contributes to this statement - Eco-plein uses not only photovoltanic panels but also optical systems fully integrated into double ventilated facades which make use of condensed natural light beams distributed into the buildings. Additionally, acoustic insulation of public spaces and buildings thanks to green roofs, previously mentioned double facades and the relocation of car parks underground contributes to the Eco-plein’s character. Last but not least, the eco-friendly nature of the project is expressed also by the exceptional management of rainwater, which is an increasingly urgent issue nowadays in the Netherlands. Various urban solutions enhancing the second important role of public squares as storage reservoirs provide innovative ways to integrate such water into the cityscape. The general idea of creating so-called “water plazas” or “water squares” is expressed in the project with the system of sunken concrete skatepark basins which serves as a functional skatepark when partially filled with rainwater. Urban renewal of Kattenburg polder in Amsterdam contributes to the development of vision for the port-waterfront axis. The site is prominently located in the dynamic waterfront band along the IJ river and a large number of organisations (port and city-related) foresee huge opportunities for this currentlyisolated polder. The approach towards its land should follow the general tendency of post-industrial port areas, which gradually change its functional programme from heavy industry and production to high quality public spaces and services for inhabitants. This transformation will be even more visible in the city which has a rich offering of goods worth exposing - related to the progress in science, industry and the arts. They all need proper urban and architectural forms. The following Master’s thesis presents an answer to the issue of urban renewal of a post-industrial city area, proposing such forms that will house Amsterdam’s goods. This city hides a rich history shaped by a wandering port which was its main engine from medievial times. However, renewal of the polder should also assist the new engine, energizing the society and providing it with an integration space where the exchange of “goods” can be continued. With the creativity of this multicultural society the process of flourishing will remain where it began centuries ago - along the IJ-waterfront. 5