SchieDaM nl

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IntErvIEW

of the Site’S repreSentative rob cHrIstIAAnsE & roElof gEIjtEMAn, Municipality of SchieDaM

presentation of the site within the context of the city development and in terms of strategy

koemarkt serves as a traffic entrance from the east and for public transport. over the years, however, it has become a place where people pass by and travel through the city. in terms of enhancing social function, developing this square will have an impact on the city centre. the developments and the development of koemarkt itself cannot be seen in isolation from the city as a whole and the centre in particular, whether it involves clustering infrastructure, improving public space or more programme-based developments. the vroM site resembles an abandoned space between a business park and the historic city centre. because of the proximity of the glass factory, it is hardly suitable for traditional programmes and, given its location, it deserves an unconventional infill. though the site is considered part of the business park, the influence of the city centre is palpable. in this respect the strict division between city and working area is increasingly under pressure. these days, there is much greater overlap between working and living overlap and the rigid separation is becoming blurred, generating a challenging demand for programmes that temporarily or permanently reconcile these functions. possible options are a modern continuation of the development along lange haven, or repair of the uncompleted spatial structures round the site.

How can the site be integrated in the issue of the adaptable city and how do you consider this issue?

the main priority throughout Schiedam today is gradual transition. historical legacy and old structures are deployed as core components for new developments. in addition, Schiedam wants to focus again on “giving weight to” the river Schie, the waterway that connects the city to the big river in the south and the polder landscape behind, to the north. long-term plans for development, external space and traffic determine the nature of an interplay between modest, carefully-targeted interventions. the central question is how can the municipality both guide this process and at the same time create space for the changing (social) reality? how can Schiedam concentrate on a genuinely sustainable intervention in its structure, as the basis for a long-term vision? the answers to contemporary, economically-programmed issues will determine the feasibility of an initial step in a development that will need to be conceived and remain sustainable in the long term. an infill for the vroM site, as the large missing piece of the puzzle next to koemarkt and a defining location in the city, can provide the initial impetus to such a new initiative.

At the time of sustainable development coupled to an economic crisis, have you already defined a specific strategy for the urban development of the site?

it is best for the processes and interventions to be combined. a dynamic underlying structure can form the base on which interventions are interconnected. not a single project with one final outcome, but rather an interplay of projects, interventions and developments that share the same strategy. in this way private and municipal investments can reinforce each other.

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StuDio koMMa, copernicuSStraat 163 2561vt the hague, the netherlanDS t. +31 629572757 Mail@StuDiokoMMa.nl WWW.StuDiokoMMa.nl

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A new start with old genes

team point of view in order to revive Schiedam’s inner-city, the river Schie is used as a platform for urban interventions. this is accomplished by a customizable system of pontoons and containers. the pontoon system works bottom-up and top-down. it reacts to the needs of inhabitants or can be used by the municipality. by facilitating activities along the Schie, it makes the river once again the heart of the city and a catalyst for urban transformation. the vroM-site accommodates the pontoon concept by offering a customization site and an open plan hall. the project achieves a dynamic environment that facilitates working spaces as easily as big events. the koemarkt square is radically cleaned up. the existing kiosks are assembled in a pavilion, creating an intimate square focused on the river.

jury point of view the project’s strength lies chiefly in the analysis, based on the higher scale-level of the river Schie and Schiedam city centre. proposing small interventions at numerous places along the river Schie incorporates the europan site into a larger structure. Moreover, with the proposal for koemarkt, the designers succeed in creating an intimate square. a wider flight of stairs makes the river Schie more accessible, while a similar stairway on the opposite side of the river integrates it with koemarkt. the connection between koemarkt and the vroM site is improved.

plan DraWing

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complete schiedam

team point of view the plan embraces Schiedam’s urban setting where the historic core and the city’s industrial zone coexist in close proximity. it connects these two conditions into one functional and legible whole. the proposal reestablishes the Schie canal as the main spine of the city and the project area as a key location along it. here a meeting point has been introduced that consists of two elements with two development strategies: clean the koemarkt: the square is cleansed of all all the noisy details and obstacles and connected to the canal. it defines the entrance to the historic city. Densify the vroM site: vroM site is envisioned as a programmatic booster. programme the scale and programme type are in harmony with the historic city and industrial zone. a new destination in Schiedam.

jury point of view the project has two visions. in contrast to the proposal to “have a good clearout” on koemarkt and clear away all the superfluous elements, the infill proposed for the vroM site is high-density construction. of all the projects for Schiedam it presents the best design to make koemarkt an attractive city square. furthermore, the designers are not afraid of making a number of bold choices such as including the public space on the opposite side of the river Schie in the design.

vieW on the vroM-Site

vieW on the koeMarkt