DORDRECHT A City Atlas
Kritika Sha (4505581) R & D Studio; Analysis & Design of Urban Form Tutor: B. Hausleitner MSc-1 Urbanism, TU-Delft 02. 11. 2015
We never map reality. We alw ays map how w e see reality. - Unknown
PR EFAC E This Atlas is an attempt to capture the essence of Dordrecht, The Netherlands in a few simple visual guides like maps, sketches and impressions. To understand the city, I have analyzed the various layers which can be used to characterise the city, first individually and then as a system. This approach is to see and observe the city through various ‘frames’ and present a different image of the city in each case, and draw a conclusion of a possible future Once I have an image of the current situation of the city, I have attempted to make an impression of how I would want Dordrecht to be perceived and developed in the forthcoming years.
Contents History; Location; Introduction
01
Pg 07 - 17
City as Landscape
02
Pg 18 - 29
City for the Public
03
Pg 30- 39
City and Urbanity
04
Pg 40 - 49
Understanding Potentials
05
Pg 50 - 61
Looking Forward
06
Pg 62 - 67
Appendix
07
Pg 68 - 73
Kublai Khan remains silent, reflecting. Then he adds, “Why do you speak to me of the stones? It is only the arch that matters to me.” Polo answers, “Without stones there is no arch.” - Italo Calvino (Invisible Cities)
01 H
I S TO RY
L
O C AT I O N
I
NTRODUCTION
THE GROWTH OF DORDRECHT OVER CENTURIES
08
1KM
H I S TO RY
L O C AT I O N
I NTRODUCTION
HISTORY OF DOR DR EC H T The location on the wide waterways has through the centuries, brought Dordrecht prosperity. Until the sixteenth century the city was a prominent trading town in Netherlands. All goods which were transported over the rivers of Holland first had to be discharged in Dordrecht and offered for sale, along with the ships paying a toll here. The town had a monopoly over trade position for products like wine, salt, timber and wool. It became an important link in the trade with France, England and the countries along the Baltic. To be able to receive all ships, the harbours were extended further and further as time went on. After the Wijnhaven, other harbours including Nieuwe Haven and Wolwevershaven were added. Of the old harbours, only the Bomhaven and Kalkhaven are still in use by the transport sector. The other historic harbours now provide mooring places for pleasure craft, old inland waterway vessels and steamboats. (Gemeente Dordrecht) 09
10
H I S TO RY
L O C AT I O N
I NTRODUCTION
50 KM
11
DORDRECHT’S LOCATION IN THE EUROPEAN NETWORK
12
40 KM
H I S TO RY
L O C AT I O N
I NTRODUCTION
LOCATION! LOCATION!! LOCATION!!
On a larger scale, Dordrecht can be looked upon as
an island on its own. Embedded in the heart of the Dutch Delta, Dordrecht’s strategic location was the prime reason for its surge. Surrounded by several rivers and waterways, such as, Oude Maas, Beneden Merwede, Nieuwe Merwede, Hollands Diep, and Dordtsche Kil, Dordrecht evolved as a port city, and a ga teway for trade to the inner areas of Europe. Dordrecht, until the 18th century, was thus identified as a major trading port and harbour with ‘Staple right’ granted to it. Dordrecht is still an important centre for inland shipping, distribution and transport. The three inland ports are easily accessible for ships supplying bulk goods. The harbours give access to the Dordtse Kil and the Oude Maas, leading to the Rotterdam Europort area. It still has a favourable position in the shadow of a seaport of global importance. 13
1 KM
TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP OF DORDRECHT
14
H I S TO RY
L O C AT I O N
I NTRODUCTION THE C ITY TODAY
Dordrecht, today, is the fourth largest city of the
province, having a population of 118,782 in 2014. It is the oldest city in the Holland area and has a rich background of history and culture. Apart from being the largest and most important city in the Drechtsteden, Dordrecht is also part of the Randstad, the main conurbation in the Netherlands. In 1970, the municipality Dubbeldam and the southern part of the municipality of Sliedrecht were incorporated into Dordrecht, making Dordrecht Island one municipality. There are 3 railway stations with one highway and a beltway. The Southern part of the island is separated by the Nieuwe Merwede from the Bies Bosch (one of the last freshwater tidal areas and an important national park). (Gemeente Dordrecht)
AERIAL VIEW OF THE HISTORICAL CITY CENTER OF DORDRECHT
15
RIVER SYSTEM The Waterways
16
INFRASTRUCTURE LINES The Railway lines
The Built fabric
BUILT FABRIC The port areas
Major Dikes
2 KM
Vulnerable areas
H I S TO RY
Above 65
L O C AT I O N
Above 24,600
Below 25
PREDOMINANT AGE DISTRIBUTION
83816 (1960)
100935 (1970)
I NTRODUCTION
Below 18,200
1 KM
ANNUAL INCOME IN EUROS
108041 (1980)
110473 (1990)
120021 (2000)
118466 (2012)
118691 (2013)
POPULATION GROWTH ACROSS DECADES
THE C ITY TODAY
Analysing broad data, such as the population
growth over the last 50 years, one can see a very stable or rather static population growth. If we assume this trend to continue, one can conclude that there is very little need for Dordrecht to expand its boundaries. Rather the need o densify the city’s fabric and strengthen the boundaries further seems to be required. The division of income and predominant age, differ sharply from each neighbourhood (formed by the dividing infrastructure lines). 17
The key to the problem how to restore the people to the land - that beautiful land of ours, with its canopy of sky, the air that blows upon it, the sun that warms it, the rain and dew that moisten it - the very embodiment of Divine love for man — is indeed a Master-Key. Ebenezer Howard (The Garden Cities of Tomorrow)
02 C
ITY AS
L
ANDSCAPE
Older Dikes
20
Current Dikes
Polder Divisions
Areas conforming with the polder structure
1 KM
1 KM
T HE P O L DE R L ANDSC APE
The 16th century saw Dordrecht divided into
smaller land parcels, for agriculture. This was integrated with a system of dikes, which worked together to drain the land inside. It is essential to map and understand the system of older dikes and land parcels, so as to understand the present city structure. The first map overlaps the existing land form with the older dike system, as past of the initial stage to understand the city form, which has developed gradually over the years.
The second stage, begins by identifying which of the current dikes, still conform with the older system of the dikes and polders. The resulting conclusion, from overlapping all these layers, is that we can clearly identify which of the urban fabrics conform with the polder system. This connection strengthens the structural core of the city and identifies the areas in need for possible re-structuring.
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1
2 3
4
22
Public Park
Sports
Green edges
Major Access roads
Forested Area
Recreational
Agriculture
Minor Access roads
OV E RV I E W
Apart from the natural landscape of the Bies
Bosch, Dordrecht has a large number of public and recreational parks, which connect the urban fabric with nature. Each neighbourhood in Dordrecht has its own central or bordering ‘green’, around which it is oriented. However, the access network to these spaces vary largely from each other. In the following page, the access networks are mapped and understood for select areas, in order to understand where the it can be enhanced further to integrate them at a larger city scale. However, Wielwijkpark (4) has similarities in the built fabric and accessibility with Weizigtpark (2). Hence, one can assume that the these similarities would carry over in the conclusions drawn
1 KM 23
1.
PA R K M E R W E S T E I N
2.
W E I Z I G T PA R K
3.
D U B B E L M O N D E PA R K
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Public Park
Primary Access
Interconnecting Access
Sports
Secondary Access
Obstruction in Access
0.5KM
Set in the heart of the historical city, Merwestein park can be accessed directly from three sides, with a large network of secondary accesses leading to it. This leads to easy accessibility and a large usage of the public park.
Pedestrian Public Green
Pedestrian Vehicular Road
Residence
Private Green
Weizigtpark abuts Dordrecht’s main railway station, and is hence not accessible from its largest facade. It also has mixed-use buildings facing one of its edges. It is surrounded by a very large network of primary and secondary access roads, and hence is actively used by the residents.
Vehicular Road
Pedestrian Residential / Commercial
Parking
Pedestrian Public Green
Dubbelmondepark is a large park built in the 1970s for the local residents. It is mainly accessible by small network of roads, which do not have a lot of interconnection with each other. It is therefore used only by one neighbourhood, and not by the surrounding areas.
Road Public Green
Private Green Residence
25
1 KM
26
Major avenues in the city fabric can accommodate the variable landscape in the sub-surface. These avenues can also involve the public and transform to accessible public spaces, which are integrated in the city fabric.
Backyards of houses incorporating the landscape and water to permeate inwards
Certain sectors of residential sectors can develop to adapt to integrate the landscape at both a surface and sub-surface level.
27
Existing Landscape
Possible Green Corridor
CONCLUSION
The strong division between the urban area and the
natural landscape stands out in stark contrast. The green inside the urban fabric are scattered, and are predominantly oriented along the infrastructure spine. The Southern edge of the city is divided from the agricultural fields by a dike which lends this area a strong character to be retained.
28
1 KM
POSSIBILITY
Is it possible to enforce a connection of a natural corridor connecting the existing green?
This new spine can also reach out to the agricultural divide at strategic locations, linking it with the existing natural landscape. As a result, Dordrecht’s strong connection with the landscape can be further strengthened and enhanced 29
Great cities are not like towns, only larger. They are not like suburbs, only denser. They differ from towns and suburbs in basic ways, and one of them is that cities are, by definition, full of strangers. - Jane Jacobs (Life and Death of Great American Cities)
03 C
ITY FOR THE
P
UBLIC
1
4
2
3
Public Buildings 32
Mixed-use Buildings
Private Buildings
OV E RV I E W
To understand what is the ‘Open City’ in the
context of Dordrecht, it is essential to understand which areas of the ‘City’ are for its ‘Citizens’. These areas can be quite varied, ranging from public squares, gardens, parks, to incidental open spaces in front of housings, street corners and road edges. Selected areas are representative in Dordrecht, and are identified to understand the quality of public space in each scenario. The public space is observed from a smaller scale and their impact on the larger city scale. 1 KM 33
1.
S TAT E N P L E I N
2.
D U B B E L DA M
3.
CRABBEHOF
4.
JAC O B C AT S S T R A AT
Public Space 34
Partially Accessible
Private Space
0.3KM
Statenplein lies in the heart of the historical city center and os surrounded by a large variety of functions (commercial, office, residential). It also hosts some festivals and major events throughout the year. Enclosed by tightly knit urban fabric, the openness of this area naturally translates to public space. Commercial
Commercial Pedestrian
Central Square
Pedestrian
The Dubbeldam district has developed in stages, beginning from pre-WWII to the last years of the 20th century.
Public Park
Pedestrian
Residence Vehicular Road
Private Green
The area is predominantly residential in its use. The built space is mainly low rise, spread over a large area. Apart from its bordering public park, the open spaces generated are not used and occupied as public space.
Crabbbehof, built during 1945-1959 is a predominantly residential area, with almost no commercial or mixed activity. It has a central supermarket and commercial area in the neighbourhood. The area has a dense network of vehicular roads combined with a mostly homogeneous use, leads to a poor quality of open space.
Residence
Pedestrian
Vehicular Road
Open Green
Vehicular Road
Pedestrian
Residence
Although the major parts of Jacob Catsstraat were built before WWII, there are several new built areas developed over the next 50 years. It can be characterized by large, inter-connected open spaces, surrounded by predominantly residential areas, with schools and offices at the corners of each sector. Residence
Pedestrian
Open Space Vehicular Road
Vehicular Road
Pedestrian
Residence
Quality in Open Space 35
4
3
2
1 KM
36
Dordrecht’s relationship with water, especially towards the historical city can open up so as to involve and engage the people of the city. The waterfront currently does not play a role in the network of open space in the city, and involving it into a integrated system can work for its future.
Scattered commercial and public areas are present throughout the city. Somehow these areas don’t organise to conform to a coherent network. Multifunctional areas are concentrated in the historical center, however these characteristics can be extended through avenues leading throughout into the city fabric.
37
Open Space
Possible Connecting Open Spaces
CONCLUSION
The historical core of the Dordrecht encompasses
the highest quality of public space. The other neighbourhoods predominantly have a central commercial area, which acts as a public space for that area. These are quite scattered and do not have any coherent connection between them.
38
1 KM
POSSIBILITY
Is it possible to develop a new line of public
space which efficiently connects the existing space Dordrecht? Instead of individual centers, the new structure can integrate the public space network in one combined system. The area along the infrastructure belt offers us this opportunity, as with a only few inserts, the public space network becomes much more coherent. 39
A city is more than a place in space, it is a drama in time. -Patrick Geddes
04 C
ITY AND
U
RBANITY
1
2
3
42
Office / Industry
Commercial use
Roadway
Public Buildings
Residential
Transit Stops
OV E RV I E W The quality of urban fabric varies from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, mainly dependant on its chronology of the area. Four neighbourhoods are selected and three are analysed in term of a typical block in its area. The adaptability and re-use options are explored for each case, which leads us to predict the future usage of that particular area. Each neighbourhood comes together again at a larger city-scale form a coherent development plan. 1 KM
43
1.
JAC O B C AT S S T R A AT
2.
D U B B E L DA M
3.
STERRENBURG
44
Office / Industry
Commercial
Roadway
Public Buildings
Residential
Major Roadway
0.5KM
Located on the Southern side of the Railway Station, the typical form of this neighbourhood has low-rise and densely built urban fabric. Mixed-use functions are found along the major roads which connect to the historical city. Because of its typology of the fabric, it is difficult to adapt it to suit other functions easily.
This area is characterized by high-rise residential and commercial buildings, offsetted from each other and the roads. The open space generated here gives rise to the opportunity to increase the density and the typology of usage in this particular type of urban fabric.
Sterrenburg has predominantly low-rise residential buildings, with a large abutment form the main access roads. It’s intricate road network make the adaptability of the area less. However, as illustrated, the peripheral roads, especially along the national road, provide opportunities for increased multi-functional use.
45
1 KM
46
The dikes with commercial and mixed use activity
Private residential areas integrated with the landscape
The dikes can adapt to incorporate a dense urban fabric. This can transition to a more private residential realm on the lower areas. These areas can also absorb the landscape within its fabric, thereby strengthening its core.
High density of multifunctional spaces
The main infrastructure spine
Enhancing the existing spatial quality of the infrastructure spine
The infrastructure spine with the railway cuts through the city, enhancing the separation between different neighbourhoods on the city. Is it possible to take advantage of the existing spatial qualities of this area and adapt it to suit a function that integrates the different neighbourhoods.
47
Existing Neighbourhoods
Possible Multifunctional Areas
Vulnerable Areas
Possible area for expansion 1 KM
CONCLUSION
Dordrecht can be categorised into several separate neighbourhoods, based on the quality of the urban form it contains. The majority of them are homogeneous in usage (predominantly residential). Each sector has a distinct quality of built fabric with different levels of adaptability to future possibility of mixed-use.
48
POSSIBILITY
Is it possible to adapt certain neighbourhoods to
an increased usage and a variety of functions? Depending on the typology of built fabric, parts of certain neighbourhoods are identified, so as to have a possible increase in multi-functionality of the urban space. Certain areas of the city can be deemed as vulnerable towards the water, and hence need to adapt to a future of possible flooding. The area around the infrastructure spine and along certain avenues leading from the historical center have the spatial potential toadapt new functions. 49
For our habita t is not crea ted in vacuum – it is the compulsive expression of beliefs and aspira tions (implicit & explicit) tha t are central to our lives. -Charles Correa
05 U
NDERSTANDING
P
OTENTIAL
52
5 KM
PERCEIVING THE CITY’S ENVIRONMENT Key to the form of Dordrecht’s self-image is its projection into the space around. We may consider the surrounding environment to be dynamic and subject to change in nature. The series of maps illustrates how fragile the relationship between land and water is in the deltaic region. Dordrecht’s urban form in its environment is highlighted, with respect to the neighbouring land form to understand the movement of water into land and vice versa.
53
54
1 KM
PERC EIVING THE C ITY IN LAY ER S
The Urban City
The Connectors / Dividers
The Delicate Landscape
The Waterways
The built fabric is concentrated along the Northern edge of the island. The historical city core formed at the junction of the waterways dominates over the other parts of the city in terms of multi-functionality and quality of the spatial structure.
The infrastructure lines harshly cut across the urban form, dividing the built fabric into several isolated islands.
The dynamic marshland of the Bies Bosch contrasts sharply with its structured urban fabric. This variation further highlights the direct relationship Dordrecht shares with nature.
The water and Dordrecht’s vulnerability to it forms the base of the city. The complex network of dikes formulate the sharp edges which define the urban borders.
55
56
1 KM
PERC EIVING A NEW STRU C TU R E
The city is visualized with its anchor in the historical city center and the landscape, spreading and intertwining towards each other. These two elements are crucial to understand how the urban form of the area is created. The urban fabric, becomes less defined as the junction of these two parts.
57
1 KM
CURRENT SCENARIO OF DIVIDED SECTORS
58
POSSIBLE LOCATION FOR INTEGRATION
Harbour belt with predominantly industrial
Predominantly residential neighbourhoods
Vulnerable areas to water
Railway Major Roadways
1 KM
THE DIVIDED C ITY
Dordrecht is also seen as a city divided internally
by strong infrastructure lines cutting across its urban fabric. Each sector also has is own distinct typology of built fabric, open space and a landscape form. Certain areas can also be classified as vulnerable to flooding because of its border with the changing landscape form. This disconnection has the potential of being bridged at certain strategic locations. This would enable the isolated archipelago of Dordrecht, become integrated and provide a new structuring system. 59
A
D B
C
60
1 KM
A. Historical City Center B. Using the Infrastructure spine to connect the Urban fabric C. The dynamic landscape of the Bies Bosch D. Strengthening the vulnerable edge
AR EAS WITH FUTUR E POTEN TI A L The broad essence of the city is categorized as: 1. The historical center with its waterways towards its Northern side; 2. The variable landscape of the agriculture and Bies Bosch on its South; 3. The infrastructure lines which connect the city to other parts of the country, but dividing it internally. Dordrecht’s future potential lies in the integration of all of the above, which will strengthen their interrelationship, thus improving the quality of the existing urban fabric. 61
“Would you tell me which way I ought to go from here?”, asked Alice. “That depends a good deal on where you want to get” said the Cat. “I really don’t care where”, replied Alice. “Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go”, said the Cat. -Lewis Carroll (Alice and Wonderland)
62
06 L
OOKING
F
O R WA R D
63
C O N ST RU C T IN G A F UT URE
64
Introducing a new network of urban landscape to connect the existing. Existing Landscape Possible Green Corridor
Introducing additional public spaces to reduce the isolation of the existing. Open Space Possible Connecting Open Spaces
Introducing increased multifunctional spaces to densify and activate existing sectors. Existing Neighbourhoods
Vulnerable Areas
Possible Multifunctional Areas
Possible area for expansion
1 KM
65
VISUA LI S IN G A FUT URE THE BUILT FABRIC Increased densification around the infrastructure spine, drawing it away from the historical city center, by means of increasing the functionality of spaces along these routes.
THE CONNECTORS Instead of the Autoweg N6 becoming a dividing element in the city, increasing the connnectivity between the two sides can help it become a structural spine for the city.
THE LANDSCAPE ELEMENT Additional structuring of the landscape elements throughout the city, would help it form a cohesive network. Additional permeability with the natural landscape will help strengthen its core .
THE DEFENSES Undeniably, the main element which would define Dordrecht would be its vulnerability towards the water. Increasing its defences at a strategic location would form a key part of its future. Therefore an additional layer of a dike can be an important part of Dordrecht’s future.
66
IS IT POSSIBLE TO INTEGRATE THE CITY WITH THE LANDSCAPE ENABLING A NEW SPINE, WHICH INTEGRATES THE DYNAMIC LANDSCAPE WITH THE CITY STRUCTURE?
THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE SPINE PROVIDES A POTENTIAL TO INVOLVE MORE FUNCTIONS, AND HENCE CREATING A OPPORTUNITY TO DENSIFY THE AREA A TERTIARY DIKE OUTLINES THE CITY EDGE, FURTHER STRENGTHENING IT THE STRONGLY SEGREGATED INDUSTRIAL BELT WILL GENERATE SPACE IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WHICH ENABLES US TO INTEGRATE IT WITH THE NEW CITY SPINE LINKING THE EXISTING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO THE LARGER STRUCTURE, BY CREATING AVENUES TO DRAW OUT THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE ALONG THE SPINE.
THE LANDSCAPE IS FILTERED INTO THE URBAN FABRIC AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS, INTEGRATING IT WITH CITY STRUCTURE
61
07 A
PPENDIX
1 KM
70
0.3 KM
LA N D-USE MAP The area for my proposed land-use map or the formal urban drawing, has been selected from a small area out of my perceived vision for Dordrecht. The area around the infrastructure spine has been developed to include increased multi-functional spaces. The existing open green network has also linked via this map.
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REF E RE NC E S IMAGES: Page 06-07: ‘The Maas at Dordrecht’ by Aebert Cuyp; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aelbert_Cuyp_The_maas_at_Dordrecht.jpg Page 08: www.ufmdordrecht.nl; www.levenmetwater.nl Page 10-11: www.maps.google.com Page 14: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dordrecht-plaats-OpenTopo.jpg#/media/File:Dordrecht-plaats-OpenTopo.jpg Page 15: Joop van Houdt, http://www.watericonen.nl/de-iconen/dordrecht Page 17: www.cbs.nl; www.edugis.nl Page 18-19: bertknot; https://flic.kr/p/r9MCV3 Page 20-21: www.topotijdreis.nl; www.dutchdikes.net Page 50-51: Joop van Houdt, https://beeldbank.rws.nl, Rijkswaterstaat Page 62-63: Taras Kalapun; https://flic.kr/p/pAr3q1 Page 69: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dordrecht-plaats-OpenTopo.jpg#/media/File:Dordrecht-plaats-OpenTopo.jpg Page 71: www.ruimtelijkeplannen.nl Page 73: John Tenniel, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alice_par_John_Tenniel_15.png#/media/File:Alice_par_John_Tenniel_15.png All other photographs used in this atlas have been taken by Xiaohang Feng, Marit Haaksma and myself during our field trip to Dordrecht.
WEBSITES: www.dordrecht.nl (Gemeente of Dordrecht) www.edugis.nl www.geoplaza.vu.nl www.cbs.nl www.topotijdreis.nl www.dutchdikes.net www.maps.google.com www.bing.com/maps www.ruimtelijkeplannen.nl
LITERATURE: Atlas of the functional city - CIAM 4 and comparative urban analysis; Evelien van Es, Jill. Denton; Bussum, Thoth publishers; 2014 Design of Cities; Edmund N. Bacon; London, Thames & Hudson; 1967 Atlas of Dutch water cities; Fransje Hooimeijer, Han Meyer, Constance. Darhorst, Virtual Words; Amsterdam, SUN, cop; 2005 Image of the City; Kevin Lynch; Cambridge, Massachusetts; The M.I.T. Press; 1960 Garden Cities of Tomorrow; Ebenezer Howard; Charleston, BiblioBazaar; 2008. Design with Nature; Ian L. MacHarg, Garden City, N.Y., The Natural History Press; 1969 Barcelona: The Urban Evolution of a Compact City; Joan. Busquets; Rovereto, Nicolodi editore; 2005 City and Port: Urban planning as a cultural venture in London, Barcelona, New York, and Rotterdam: changing relations between public urban space and large-scale infrastructure; Han Meyer, D’Laine Camp, Henk. Pel; Utrecht, International Books; 1999 Dutch Dialogues: New Orleans - Netherlands - Common challenges in urbanized deltas; Han Meyer, Dale. Morris, David. Waggonner, Piet. Dircke; Amsterdam, SUN, cop; 2009. Invisible Cities; Italo Calvino; New York, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich; 1974
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“What is the use of a book”, thought Alice, “without pictures or conversations?” - Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland)
This atlas would be incomplete without recognizing the contribution of my tutor, Birgit Hausleitner, whose guidance is reflected on every page. The discussions and debates with my wonderfully international studio group (especially Xiaohang Feng and Marit Haaksma), has unconsciously left an indelible impression in this book. Also, special thanks to Rahul Dewan for his support and much needed feedback.