Oostelijke Havengebied | Eastern Docklands

Oostelijk Havengebied Directed Studies - Topics in Europe By: Bruce Mans & Lynn Roxburgh

School of Planning (Dalhousie University) For: Susan Guppy

Introduction Situated along the northern periphery of the Netherlands is the city of Groningen. A visit to the city today would reveal a unique mix of medieval structures, towering churches, walkable plazas, and modern buildings – all densely packed within an outer canal called the Diepenring. This arrangement did not come by accident. Groningen has a storied history regarding its carefully constructed binnenstad (downtown), dating back to the 10th Century. During the past one thousand years, Groningers have expertly constructed epic buildings and charming open spaces, and drafted unique laws and regulations to both protect and perpetuate these places.

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Outline This paper will outline the most important physical elements of Groningen as they were introduced into the city throughout time. This history will be divided into two sections - prewar history and postwar history. Thereafter, this paper will analyze how Groningen has recently enhanced this medieval heritage and contributed to its contemporary livability with carefully thought-out plans and innovative policies.

It should also be noted that all text and visual references are specifically listed in the end of this document.

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History

Oostelijk Handelskade Groningen originated as an esdorp; a Dutch word with no English equivalent. Esdorpen are typically small villages centred around a square or church, and surrounded by farmers fields. In the case of Groningen, settlements were centred around a square called Martinikerkhof and a church called Martinikerk. The earliest records of Martinikerkhof can be dated back to the fourth century, while the first version of Martinikerk was a wooden structure built in the 800s. This area originated as an important burial ground and the religious centre of the village, and subsequently became the focal point for all future development.

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Oostelijk Handelskade Oostelijke Handelskade was traditionally used for harbour purposes, and primarily hosted wharfs and warehouses. Although the site is still used as a cruise port, the district has been completely cleansed of all industrial activity. Today, the neighbourhood has been converted into a cultural destination, hosting several music venues, restaurants, design studios, and art halls. Furthermore, the district also includes office and retail space, and apartments. The southern quay of the Oostelijke Handelskade has been recently named Piet Heinkade (named after the famous Dutch privateer, Piet Hein).

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Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ Oostelijke Handelskade is the site of several commercial and recreational complexes. One of the most striking buildings in the neighbourhood is the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ. Built in 2005 by Danish architects 3XN, the building was designed to host contemporary classical music concerts and has become a cultural anchor in Amsterdam. The building is connected to by the Bimhuis, which is another concert hall for jazz and improvised music. Both buildings are built in the westernmost portion of Oostelijke Handelskade, overlooking the IJ river.

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Pakhuis Amsterdam In the past, the majority of Oostelijke Handelskade hosted many warehouses. Eventually these warehouses became redundant and faced demolition as port activity in the surrounding area reduced. One warehouse called Pakhuis de Zwijger reveals how planners initially dealt with these warehouses. Originally built in 1933, this warehouse faced demolition as the City considered building a road and bridge that would connect the neighbourhood with the newly built Java-eiland.

Architect AndrĂŠ van Stigt eventually designed a solution that would allow the bridge to built while converting the warehouse into a new arts and cultural centre. The result was so successful that other warehouses were also converted into retail and office space.

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Jan Schaeferbrug Built in 2001, the Jan Schaeferbrug connects Java-eiland and Oostelijke Handelskade. The bridge was built by Ton Venhoeven and required several imaginative solutions to be built. As previously mentioned, the southern entrance to the bridge had to be built through the Pakhuis de Zwijger.

The bridge also had to allow for tall ships to pass through from time to time. As a result, the bridge design included a middle section that can be temporarily removed for these special circumstances.

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Java-eiland Java-eiland was designed by architect Sjoerd Soeters, who took a traditional approach in the layout of the neighbourhood. The architect paid homage to the “ring of canals” approach that is common in Amsterdam’s historic neighbourhoods by placing houses side-by-side in a continuous manner along small, dissecting canals throughout the island. Soeters used these dissecting canals to create small blocks throughout the island. Housing units are placed around the periphery on each block facing outward, with their rears backing onto a large communal courtyard that provides green space. Also, because the island is so narrow, there is no centre road for vehicular traffic, which is instead placed along the northern side of the island.

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Voetbruggetjes van Java Four narrow canals intersect Java-eiland and are connected by a series of unique bridges. The bridge system was designed by architect Paul Wintermans, who designed mason bridges on the northern boundary for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. He also collaborated with artists Guy Rotbouts and Monica Droste to build s series of small pedestrian bridges throughout the island.

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KNSM-eiland The layout for KNSM-eiland was designed by the famous Dutch architect-urbanist Jo Coenen. This neighbourhood differs from Java in that it large housing superblocks are preferred to smaller single housing units. Skydome is a twenty storey apartment complex with 95 dwelling units. Barcelona is a five-storey, neoclassical apartment complex with 300 dwelling units. Emerald Empire is a cylindrical apartment complex built along the eastern side of the island, with 224 luxury units.

The island also includes a retrofitted warehouse called Loods 6, which now includes studio space for designers and visual artists.

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Piraeus One of the many residential superblocks on KNSM-eland is Piraeus, designed by German architects Hans Kollhoff and Christian Rapp and includes over 300 dwelling units. Interestingly, Piraeus is built around a small pre-existing harbor building that was not allowed to be demolished. When juxtaposed against this small building, original designs of the tall superblock dwarfed its neighbour, creating an awkward juxtaposition. As a result, the architects tapered the height of Piraeus down around the building to create a more pleasant appearance. Also, the architects incorporated several artistic elements into the building, including a unique staircase underneath a section and an installation by artist Arno van der Mark in the western facade.

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Sporenburg The residential neighbourhoods of Borneo and Sporenburg were planned by Adriaan Geuze of West 8 Landscape Architects. The primary objective of the development was to create a highdensity neighbourhood of quality low-rise housing. In order to accomplish this objective, Geuze developed a new land lot model for the two peninsulas by introverting the typical dwelling unit.

Housing complexes were built side-to-side and back-to-back. In place of backyards, West 8 introduced roof terraces, small courtyards and patios for increased privacy and use. The end result of this land lot model is an endless repetition of small, but unique, blocks of housing.

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The Whale West 8 also designed several housing blocks in Borneo-Sporenburg. The largest block on Sporenburg is a unique structure called “The Whale�, designed by architect Frits van Dongen in 2000.

The building is clad with zinc and aluminum plates, and has opposing angled facades, giving it the appearance of a whale. These angled facades are designed to maximize sunlight exposure into its inner garden courtyard. The Whale includes 214 dwelling units (of which 150 are social housing) and a small amount of office space.

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Voet en Fietsbrug Sporenburg is linked to Borneo by two award-winning, steel bridges that cross the Spoorwegbasin canal, designed by Adriaan Geuze. The eastern pedestrian bridge is doubled-arched and is high enough to allow boats to pass through. The western pedestrian and bicycle bridge is single-arched and shorter than its counterpart, allowing on flatboats to pass under.

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Borneo Borneo was also designed by Adriaan Geuze and West 8 Architects, and has a similar land-lot division model. After all the housing in Borneo-Sporenburg was completed, Geuze’s new lot concept introduced a building density of 70 low-rise dwelling units per hectare. With the large housing blocks included, the neighbourhood has a total density of 100 dwelling units per hectare. Also, Borneo was built from scratch with the exception of one pre-existing harbor building called De Oceaan. Today it serves as a popular restaurant in the area.

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Scheepstimmermanstraat Two canal-side blocks along Scheepstimmermanstraat in Borneo were built with a slightly different approach that the rest of the neighbourhood. Although they still maintained the same type of lot division as the rest of the neighbourhood, West 8 allowed land owners of these two blocks to hire their own architects to design the buildings. Privately hired architects were obligated to maintain similar dimension requirements as other complexes, including a 3.5m ground floor and a maximum height of 9.2m, but could design their own layout and exteriors. Over 60 unique designs were created, which noticeably improved the architectural diversity of the area.

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Cruquius The Croquius district was where the first development of the Eastern Docklands began in the late 1980s. The Abattoir neighbourhood formerly served as a cattle slaughtersite, but became unnecessary as cattle began to be imported frozen rather than live. The city then decided to convert the neighbourhood and its surrounding area into a new residential district. While many structures were demolished, many existing warehouses were converted into new uses.

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Entrepotbrug Another interesting buildings in Cruquius is a long and meandering residential complex that is built over the Entrepothaven canal. The building was originally planned to be built to dam the canal; however, an architecture firm called PRO won the bid with their proposal to bridge the building over the canal in order to preserve the waterway. The five-storey building includes 600 dwelling units, including a mix of social housing and owner-occupied units.

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Maandag t/m Zondag One pair of long warehouses called Maandag tot en met Zondag (Monday to Sunday) were formerly used as customs bastions. The easternmost pair of the warehouses (called Maandag t/m Zaterdag) was up to 300 metres long. It was retrofitted into 300 dwelling units by architect Chris mSit, of which 110 units were designated as social housing. The structure includes a glass-clad, interior street allowing residents to access their units. The westernmost building (called Zondag) was retrofitted into 60 owner occupied apartments by architect Pieter Weeda, and was very well preserved from its original form.

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Rietland Rietland is final piece of the puzzle within the Eastern Docklands. It is the linchpin that connects all the districts together and it is the “entrance portal� for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and tram-users coming in from the rest of Amsterdam. Aside from being a transportation hub, Rietland serves a variety of other purposes. It hosts many large residential complexes, expansive green spaces, office space, shopping, and recreational uses.

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Hoop, Liefde, en Fortuin The largest housing block in Rietland is a building called Hoop, Liefde, en Fortuin (Hope, Peace and Fortune), designed by architect Rudy Uytenhaak. The title of the building was derived from three famous windmills that were formerly used in the area. The block includes 300 dwelling units, including a mix of social housing and owner-occupied units.

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Piet Heintunnel The Piet Heintunnel is a 1.9km tunnel that runs between Borneo and Sporenburg and beneath the Spoorwegbasin canal. The tunnel connects the Eastern Docklands and Amsterdam with IJburg (another district to the east of the Docklands). The tunnel was completed in 1997 and was designed

by Van Berkel + Bos Architects. The tunnel provides space for vehicles and a tramline.

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Post-war History

Urban Analysis

Introduction (p. 1)

Outline (p. 2)

Photo:

Map:

Martinikerkhof (p. 4)

Martinikerk (p. 5)

Jan van den Broek (2010) 1000 Jaar Groningen.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl Map: Scheepvaartmuseum (1649) Kaart van Groningen

Jan van den Broek (2010) 1000 Jaar Groningen.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl Photos: (top left) Foppens: Les delices des Paisbas (1743) Groningen Martinikerk. (top right) Het verhaalvangroningen.nl (unknown) Martinikerk. (bottom) Aheroy (flickr.com) Martini church.

Martinitoren (p. 6)

Der Aa-Kerk (p. 7)

Grote Markt (p. 8)

Jan van den Broek (2010) 1000 Jaar Groningen.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl EO van der Werff (2007) Martini: kerk en toren.

Assen: The Netherlands.

Photos: (left) Akbar Simonse (flickr.com) Martini Tower. (right) blikopgroningen.nl Grote Markt Groningen.

Jan van den Broek (2010) 1000 Jaar Groningen.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl EO van der Werff (2007) Martini: kerk en toren.

Assen: The Netherlands.

Photo: Gerrit Stel (flickr.com) Der Aa-Kerk.

Jan van den Broek (2010) Grote Markt Historisch.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl Martin Buijs (2010) Architectuur in de stad Groningen. Retrieved at http://members.multimania. nl/gebouweningroningen Image: Otto Eerelman(1920) De Paardenkenring

Vismarkt (p. 9)

Goudkantoor (p. 10)

Korenbeurs (p. 11)

Jan van den Broek (2010) 1000 Jaar Groningen.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl Images: (top left) Wegman (flickr) Vismarkt. (top right) Gerrit Stel (flickr) Vismarkt. (middle left) Daniel (flickr) Vismarkt. (middle right) Melilei (flickr) Op vismarkt. (bottom left) S. Berghuis (1857) Vismarkt. (bottom right) C Prank (1754) Vismarkt met Aa Kerk

Jan van den Broek (2010) Grote Markt Historisch.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl Martin Buijs (2010) Architectuur in de stad Groningen. Retrieved at http://members.multimania. nl/gebouweningroningen Photo: Marketing Groningen (flickr.com) Goudkantoor.

Martin Buijs (2010) Architectuur in de stad Groningen. Retrieved at http://members.multimania. nl/gebouweningroningen Photo: StephenTamminga (flickr) De Korenbeurs

Stadhuis (p. 12)

Rijksuniversitiet (p. 13)

1940s - Wereldoorlog (p. 15)

Jan van den Broek (2010) Grote Markt Historisch.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl Images: (top left) M Krooshof (1810) Stadhuis. (top middle) Kiekert (flickr) Stadhuis. (top right) Kiekert (flickr) Stadhuis. (bottom) Franklin (flickr) Stadhuis en Grote Markt.

Rijksuniversitiet van Groningen (2010) Groningen: universiteitsstad. Retrieved at http://www. rug.nl/museum/geschiedenis Photo: 22388246 (flickr) RUG.

Jan van den Broek (2010) Grote Markt Historisch.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl Photos: (left) Nord Nederlands (1945) Verwoestingen. (top right) Beeldbank Groningen (1945) Parade der SSVerf端genstrappen in Groningen. (bottom right) Beeldbank Groningen (1945) Stadhuis.

1950s - Grote Markt (p. 16)

1950s - Grote Markt (p. 17)

1960s - Nieuwe Stadhuis (p. 18)

Jan van den Broek (2010) Grote Markt Historisch.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl Photo: Gerb. Janssen (1945) Herestraat.

Jan van den Broek (2010) Grote Markt Historisch.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl Photos: (top left) Allesoorlog.nl (1940) Grote Markt. (top right) Foto Noord Nederlands (1900) Panorama van de Grote Markt. (bottom) Watsje Wikipedia (2010) Grote Markt.

Jan van den Broek (2010) Grote Markt Historisch.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl Photos: (top three) Hetverhaalvangroningen.nl, Nieuwe Stadhuis. (bottom) seniorennet.be (1989) Nieuwe Stadhuis.

Gurdo Musch (flickr.com). Oude Ebbingsestraat

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Schoepcaartmuseum (1649). Kaart van Groningen

1970s - Traffic Circulation (p. 19)

1970s - Traffic Circulation (p. 20)

1980s - Districts (p. 21)

S. Tsubohara (2007) A traffic plan to make residential areas car-limited − traffic planning in Groningen.

University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

Jan van den Broek (2010) Grote Markt Historisch.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl Fietsberaad (2010) Continuous and integral:The cycling policies of Groningen and other European cycling cities. Utrecht: the Netherlands.

Photos: (all) Beeldbank Groningen (unknown) Untitled.

Christopher Boyko (2001) Groningen’s Binnenstad: Informed Perceptions on its Design. University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

Fietsberaad (2010) Continuous and integral:The cycling policies of Groningen and other European cycling cities. Utrecht: the Netherlands.

Photos: (top left) K Huitsing (flickr) Markt. (top middle) Lesneyman (flickr) Fietsen. (top right) M Thomas (flickr) De Korenbeurs. (middle left) loonatic (flickr) Fietsen in GM. (middle) S Pathuis (flickr) Vismarkt. (middle right) drbakker (flickr) Grote Markt. (bottom left) tocan (flickr) Grote Markt (bottom middle) Gory73 (flickr) Oostzijde. (bottom right) Watsje Wikipedia (2010) G. Markt.

Christopher Boyko (2001) Groningen’s Binnenstad: Informed Perceptions on its Design. University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

Photo: Kodia (flickr) Herestraat.

1990s - Waagstraat (p. 22)

1990s - Groninger Museum (p.23)

2000s - Groninger Forum (p. 24)

Jan van den Broek (2010) Grote Markt Historisch.

Retrieved at www.groningerarchieven.nl LD Badia (unknown) Adolfo Natalini:Waagstraat, Groningen. Retrieved at http://www.floornature.com/progetto.php?id=4554&sez=30 Photos: (top) Guido Musch (flickr)Goudkantoor. (bottom left) Arend Jan Wonink (flickr) Waagstraat. (bottom right) Henk Tammens (flickr) Waagstraat.

Martin Buijs (2010) Architectuur in de stad Groningen. Retrieved at http://members.multimania. nl/gebouweningroningen Photo: Groningen Museum (2008) Groninger Museum

Groninger Forum (2010) Over het Groninger Forum. Retrieved at http://www.groningerforum. nl/over-het-groninger-forum Images: All images from groningerforum.nl

Urban Analysis (p. 26)

Urban Analysis (p. 27)

Urban Analysis (p. 28)

Photo: toxan (flickr) Vismarkt.

Images: Bruce Mans (2010) Groningen In-

Photo: Frenklin (flickr) De Grote Markt

Urban Analysis (p. 29)

Urban Analysis (p. 30)

Urban Analysis (p. 31)

Photo: stormblast (flickr) Diepenring.

Photo: itisaai (flickr) Vismarkt.

Photo: ivlys (flickr) Groningen Station

tersections (Based on GIS data from Groningen Gemeente)

Urban Analysis (p. 32) Photo: industrialbirds(flickr) Feel the Groningen!

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