The Rotte
The Rotte AR1U100 R&D Q2 Studio Social-Spatial Processes in the City (2015-2016)
Tutor
Dr. Luisa Maria Calabrese
Student
Pien Kuijpers 4157079 26 January 2016 Delft University of Technology Faculty of Architecture & The Built Environment MSc1 Urbanism // Fall Semester 2015-2016
Table of Contents Research 3 Threshold 4 The Rotte Sequence
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Sections Old references Monuments
Area 8 Location Who lives there? Creative Neighborhood Poetry Liveability History
The Rotte River?
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Research Question
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Design 19 Threshold? 20 Hardness riverbanks Visibility
Spatial Analysis 22 Awareness 24 Museums in Rotterdam
The Rotte; a reference
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Places along the Rotte
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Light Paving Bench Historical frame Wayfinding Tree gate
The Rotte Pavilion
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Mobility network Network of public life
Pavilion Design 32 Concept Pavilion inside Plan Sections Pavilion outside
Literature 37
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RESEARCH
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Threshold Threshold // Border // Boundary // Barrier // Mental image Theme In this project I am working within the theme Threshold. The Rotte can be seen as a threshold. It separates the neighborhoods along its transversal section. Streets and bridges crossing the Rotte, connect several neighborhoods and are interesting spots where socio-spatial processes take place. Besides the Rotte can be seen as a threshold because the river is not present in people’s life and it is not quite present in the mental image which people have of the city. However, the river has a rich history because it is the origin of the city Rotterdam.
“Public images. The common mental pictures carried by large numbers of a city’s inhabitants: areas of agreement which might be expected to appear in the interaction of a single physical reality, a common culture, and a basic physiological nature.” - Kevin Lynch, 1960, p. 7
Richard Sennett, The Open City In the open city, Richard Sennett mentions two types of edges. He makes a distinguish between boundaries and borders (Sennett, p.8).
“The boundary is an edge where things end; the border is an edge where different groups interact.” - Richard Sennett, p. 8
Kevin Lynch, The Image of the City In the image of the city, Kevin Lynch mentions edge as a type of element which is part of the content of the city images. Like Richard Sennett, he does not make a distinction between edge and border but he sees an edge as a barrier or a seam. According to Lynch, edge elements are for many people important organizing features (Lynch, 1960, p. 46). At this moment, the Rotte is somehow an organizing feature because a lot of people use the river as a guiding element to move from north (the residential area and neigborhoods) to the city center and vice versa. Therefore, to speak in the terms of Kevin Lynch, the Rotte functions also as a path (lynch, 1960, p.46). But the Rotte is not embedded in the memory of people as a characteristic or special element. They use it without being aware of its presence, spatial quality and history. Besides, in the neighborhoods along the Rotte, the river is not perceived as a public space. Even though it is a large open space which makes the neighborhoods less dense and could provide a pleasant spot to enjoy the open-air and the water.
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“Edges. They are the boundaries between two phases, linear breaks in continuity: shores, railroad cuts, edges of development, walls. (..) Such edges may be barriers, more or less penetrable, which close one region off from another; or they may be seams, lines along which two regions are related and joined together.” - Kevin Lynch, 1960, p. 47
“Paths are the channels along which the observer customarily, occasionally, or potentially moves. They may be streets, walkways, transit lines, canals, railroads. For many people, these are the predominant elements in their image. People observe the city while moving through it, and along these paths the other environmental elements are arranged and related.” - Kevin Lynch, 1960, p. 47
The Rotte sequence Sections
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AA’
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CC’ CC’ 1:650
DD’
DD’ 1:650
EE’ 1:650
EE’
In the sections it is visible that the Rotte river has different appearances. The river has a variety in width. Besides the access to the river differs and in some places it is not appealing to sit by the water. There are quays which are used for parking but there are also some quays with benches or even a footbridge. Along (almost) the whole sequence, the river is surrounded by the tree Platanus. The Rotte 1:10000
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Old References
View on the Rotte, Jan Gabrielsz SonjĂŠ, 1692
Map of Rotterdam, 1340
Map of Rotterdam, Jan Jansz. Potter, 1566
Crooswijk Cemetery, 1832
Toltoren near the Zwaanhals
Old situation Rotterdam
Oldest houses (1700) in the city center of Rotterdam
Heineken Factory, 1924
Noorderbrug, 1969
The Rotte is a very old river. Therefore, there are a lot of images which refer to the old situation and the old characteristic elements which were or are still located along the river. The images give a good impression of how the Rotte area has looked like and shows that it was one of the most important rivers of Rotterdam.
Map of Rotterdam, Jacob van Deventer 1562
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Monuments along the Rotte
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1. Wooden sluice
2. 3. 2. Hildegardiskerk
3. Gate building cemetery Crooswijk
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4. Heineken office
5. Hofbogen
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5. Laurenskerk national monument municipal monument
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Area “At every instant, there is more than the eye can see, more than the ear can hear, a setting or a view waiting to be explored.” - Kevin Lynch, 1960, p.1 Location For the design project, I chose the Zwaanhals (Swan Neck) area as the specific place to work on. The area is situated halfway the Rotte river sequence and it is surrounded by the districts Crooswijk and Oude Noorden.
Oude Noorden
Zwaanhals Crooswijk
Who lives there? In the districts Crooswijk and Oude Noorden different kinds of people are living there. There are inhabitants who live in those districs for a very long time or their whole life. In Crooswijk, these inhabitants are called the ‘‘Crooswijker’’. There are also a lot of non-western inhabitants, mainly of Moroccan origin, who came to these districts later. Moreover, especially in Oude Noorden, a lot of children are living there. In the area are a lot of one person households and single parent households. Besides, the average income is low in this area. The amount of inhabitants without a job is quite high (analysis week 1-3).
Non-western inhabitants
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Children
Children
“old” inhabitants
Creative neighborhood The district Crooswijk is known as a creative neighborhood. There are a lot of artworks on buildings, in public spaces and on the streets. These are hidden qualities that give the neighborhood its identity. Besides, especially in Crooswijk, a lot of residents are actively committed to the neigborhood. The districht Oude Noorden is becoming more and more a dynamic neighborhood. A lot of shops and business in the creative sector/industries have settled here the last few years.
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Poetry about the Rotte Verknocht nog De zon op de Rotte met tramgedender achter mij En dan weer verder zo in mijn kano. Tot aan de Noorderbrug, waar krijsende meeuwen schreeuwen. En dan weer terug! En de peddel in mijn handen wiekt draaiorgelmuziek Die uit Isaac Hubertusstraat komt. Waar ik woonde in mijn jeugd en die mij nu zo heugt.
Joop van den Bos
De Rottestroom Ziet hoe teêr zy Krooswyk kuscht, Hoe zy akkers, beemden, weijen, Die haer looverkransfen breijen, Lachend lokt uit hunne rust’. In haer geestverrukkend wezen, Dat een’ heldren glans verfpreit, Is, by ftille eenvoudigheit, Heufche nedrigheit te lezen. Haer bekorelyk gewaedt Hangt, van boven tot beneden, Luchtig, zwierig om haer leden, Zonder opgefmukt fieraedt. Naer de windt, in bemde en hoven, Oost- of westwaerds adem haelt, Zien wy dat haer boezem daelt, Of weêr langfaem zwelt naer boven. Op een watermolenradt Rust ze, in aendacht’ opgetogen, Bogende op haar ftroomvermogen; Met de rechte hand’ omvat, (..)
Dirk Smits, 1750
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“The sweet sense of home is strongest when home is not only familiar but distinctive as well.�
- Kevin Lynch, 1960, p.5
"When my guests and I walk through the district and we pass the singel, they are a bit surprised: oh it is quite nice here. I don’t know if it is pride but it feels like that." - movie about Oud-Crooswijk
Liveability The liveability in de area of the Zwaanhals is weak (Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties, 2014). Not every inhabitant is happy with their neighborhood but there are elements that encourage pride. For example the singels. The Rotte river could also become an element where people are proud of or become a very important characteristic in the district. If the inhabitants see more the beauty of their neigborhood, they will propabaly appreciate it more. The Rotte river should be an attractive place that people are proud of and want to spend their time in. Besides, it should not only attract the residents of the surrounding neighborhods but the residents of the city of Rotterdam and people from other places as well.
weak negative 10.
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History The Zwaanhals (Swan Neck) is a special spot. It is the place where once the second dam in the Rotte was situated. Besides, there are suspicions that a customs tower, het Duifhuis, stood near the Crooswijkse curve. We know for sure that the country seat, Huis te Crooswijk was situated on the site of the current cemetery and near the Zwaanhalsbug (Termorshuizen, 2013).
Huis te Crooswijk was situated on the site of the current cemetery and near the Zwaanhalsbug
Huis te Crooswijk
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Toltoren het Duifhuis
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V RI
RO
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The Rotte river?
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“It is visually of high quality. I look at the boats and observe the swans in the summer.” “I have no relation with the river but i would like to keep it in the neighborhood.”
“The river is often dirty but in winter, when frozen, a magical place.”
“I live close to the river and pass it often.”
“The river is a recreational, clean open space.”
“The river is just there, the area has a weak connection with it, because the buildings were just built around it and avoid its presence.”
“I have no distinctive relation to the Rotte.” “I use the river as a daily route.”
“It is a beautiful open space, but quite dirty.”
“I have no opinion on the river, but I walk my dog there on a daily basis.”
“The Rotte is the origin of the city. Nowadays I go fishing there during summertime and I only cross it to go to work. When I was young I used to swim and jump of the bridge with all the kids from the neighbourhood.”
“I only use this area to walk my dog.” “I have no relation with the water.”
What do people think or say about the Rotte river?
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“The Rotte is quite dirty, they should clean it. It should be possible to walk on the banks of the Rotte all the way to the city centre.”
“The river is quite nice on summer days.”
“I have no opinion on the river, but I think it improves the visiual quality of the area.”
“I have no relation to the river, but it is a beautiful open space for other people.”
“I would like the Rotte to be more part of Rotterdam because it is the origin of the city. And a cleaner Rotte because it is filthy now.”
“I have no opinion on the river, because cars are parked in front of it. The other side of the river has some green space and is more appealing to me.”
“I don’t use the river, I only drive down to the city center.”
“I wish the riverfront was more public, it feels private.”
“I like the lake on the North; the children like a park nearby.” “I have no relation with the river” “I like the area around the lake, but there is nothing to do along the river.” Nothing happens along the river. Yes sometimes they do something on the other side. A bit of light on the waterfront is enough to make it more pleasant You could definitely make something nice of it.”
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Research question How can the Rotte be part of the image of the city - which is embedded in the collective memory of people - in order to create a liveable neighborhood.
Keywords
Accessibility Imageability Visibility Collective memory Creative neighborhood Border Boundary Space
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DESIGN
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Threshold? - What creates threshold? What prevents people from experiencing the Rotte? Hardness of the riverbanks Along the whole Rotte river, the riverbanks are quite hard; a wall. The hardness of the riverbanks prevents people from enjoying the presence of the river. It is not possible to sit or walk very close to the river or to touch it. On some places there is a footbridge/path along the river which gives quite good access to the river but this path is not continuous.
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Hard river bank, wall Low hard river bank, wall Hard river bank, access to the water Steep river bank with grass Soft river bank with grass and footbridge
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Visibility of the Rotte river in adjacent streets
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1:2000 Visibility
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On several places, the view to the river is blocked by parked cars
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Spatial analysis Sections of the current situation
Plataan
Lijsterbes
AA’ 1:400 Hard riverbank
No public function
EE’ DD’ CC’
BB’
AA’
Plataan Gewone Lijsterbes
BB’ 1:400
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Soft riverbank with footbridge
Plataan
CC’ 1:400 No activity on the waterfront
Hard riverbank
Plataan Beuk
Plataan
DD’ 1:400 Hard riverbank Playground Railing and wall > Threshold
Plataan
EE’ 1:400
Hard riverbank Unused open space close to the river
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6500
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Awareness How to create awareness? How to make people more aware of the Rotte river?
The history of the Rotte
The environment along the Rotte
The presence of the Rotte
The quotes from the interviews (p. 14-15) show that a lot of people have no relation with the river. They say that the riverfront feels private, that there is nothing to do along the river, the area has a weak connection with it and on some places is a lack of green. A few mentioned the qualities of the river and some know that the river is the origin of the city. But this last group is in a minority. Therefore, the presence and history of the Rotte river should be made more clear and the activitiy/ dynamic along the river should be encouraged Because, the river could be a quality where the neighborhoods and the city of Rotterdam could benefit from; a big, nice, green open space.
people from the recreational landscape in the north - and their neighborhoods - to the city center and vice versa. These urban furniture elements are primarily designed for the scale of the city. The second component will be a special spot on the Zwaanhals (Swan Neck): The Rotte Pavilion. It is a sheltered place where people can gain information about the Rotte and expositions or workshops can be held. It functions both on the neighborhood and the city scale. Besides there is both an inside and outside space (public space). It is a place where people from the neighborhood can meet each other, enjoy the open-air and the view on the river.
The Rotte; a reference to the present and past. The Rotte sequence as a ‘museum’. In order to make people aware of the Rotte, the river will be considered as a (open air) museum. The Rotte sequence as a museum, a reference to the present and past - the design project - will consist of two components. The first component are small elements; urban furniture. These elements will be placed along the whole Rotte sequence to put more emphasis on the river, to make the presence of the river more clear in order that people will consider and use the environment along the Rotte as a pleasant public space. Besides, the urban furniture makes it clear that you are still sitting, walking or moving along the Rotte river. Because in the city centre, the river is quite unrecognizable. Moreover it will guide
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Besides, people from outside can visit the place. The concept of a Rotte Pavilion can be repeated on the Rotte sequence. An other interesting spot is the place where the river once crossed the borders of the city. From this point, the river was named Binnenrotte. Nowadays, the water is no longer there. There is a railway underground instead. It is a very lively street with the library, weekly market and the Markthal.
Museums in Rotterdam
Museum The Rotte sequence The Rotte Pavilion
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The Rotte; a reference
The Rotte Pavilion
Pavilion #2
Bench - Light - Wayfinding - Tree grate - Historical frame - Pavilion
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Huis te Crooswijk
Places along the Rotte Light
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Corten steel
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Glass
On some places along the Rotte it is quite dark in the night. Especially, in the north part of the river. In order to make the Rotte more visible during the day and night this luminous element will be placed on several spots along the river. Because of its recognizable appearance it functions also as a guiding element. All furniture is made of corten steel because of its robust, solid and weather-beaten look in time.
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400
Front 1:20
Side 1:20
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Paving The riverbanks of the Rotte are not paved everywhere. To give the elements/urban furniture a clear place, a special paving is needed. Below, three types of paving are shown. They fit in different situations.
Brown concrete tile and rough gravel - situation: landscape / grass
Grey concrete tile and gravel - situation: urban / grass
Grey concrete tile and gravel - situation: footbridge
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Bench
500 500 500
Along the Rotte sequence more benches will be placed. It invites people to sit by the river and enjoy the view of it. The benches will have a mirrored surface. The surface reflects the river and the activities along it. Because of this, the river is not only present horizontally but also vertically. Wood
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Above 1:20
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140 140
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100 100
340
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340 340 100
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Corten steel
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Mirror
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Front 1:20
Side 1:20
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Historical Frame 150
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i 1000
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Front 1:20
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Side 1:20
The Rotte river has a long and rich history. Nowadays, some references to this history are still present. In order to make people more aware of this history, every interesting spot along the river will be “framed�. Besides, this framing element will give the visitor information about the place.
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Wayfinding 80
The north part of the river is a transition between the recreational landscape and the city of Rotterdam. A good wayfinding is necessary to guide people from the recreational landscape - and their neighborhoods - to the city center and vice versa. Besides the information panel gives information where some interesting spots are located in the surroundings of the river.
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Corten steel 500
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600
Wood
Front 1:20
Tree gate
variable
variable
Along the river are a lot of trees. The tree gates give the trees a clear appearance and it refers to the Rotte and Rotterdam.
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The Rotte Pavilion Mobility network around the Rotte Pavilion
Cycleroute Tram, bus or metro stop The Rotte Pavilion
The map above shows that both pavilions are good reachable by public transport. In the north, station Rotterdam Noord is located. Besides near the Rotte Pavilion (Swan Neck) are bus and tram stops. The second Pavilion at the Binnenrotte is close to the station Rotterdam Blaak. The pavilion is surrounded by bus, tram and metro stops which are nearby. The whole Rotte sequence is part of a regional cycle network. This cycleroute crosses the Rotte Pavilion at the Swan Neck.
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18 min.
6 min.
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Network of public life In the neighborhoods along the Rotte is a variety in the size and amount of public spaces. Some places are just a playground and others are a large park. Besides, some streets are quite dynamic because shops and business are located there. These are the places where public life takes place. Along the Zwaanhals is also activity on the streets. At the Linker Rottekade are shops located. For example, the well known supermarket Aldi. On the corner of the Linker Rottekade and the Crooswijksebocht are two bars. Close to the river, there is a playground as is shown before in the sections.
Facilities Zwaanhals
Public spaces; playgrounds, squares, parks Lively streets with facilities Connecting paths
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Pavilion Design Concept
Functional. The pavilion is located near the corner between the Crooswijksebocht and the Linker Rottekade. The pavilion fits in with the public facilities which are already there. The watersquare makes a transition between the accessible riverbanks and the park on the leftside.
Land
Land
Land
Water
Water
Water
Spatial. The interaction between water and land. On some places there is a distance between the land and water, sometimes water and land ‘touch’ each other. On the left, water and land cross each other with a watersquare and steppingstones.
Pavilion inside toilet 7 m2
entrance & info 44 m2 desk 9 m2
pantry 4,7 m2
expositie 157,3 m2
Interior
Plan 1:200
A
B
A’ Area 1:600
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B’
Sections
Plataan
AA’ 1:400
Plataan
BB’ 1:400
Pavilion outside As mentioned before, the Rotte Pavilion functions both on the neighborhood and city scale. The illustrations below show how the Pavilion works on these two scales.
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Neighborhood scale. Here, the wooden footbridges are primarily designed for the inhabitants of Crooswijk and Oude Noorden. They can enjoy the presence and the open space of the river.
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6500 6500
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Neighborhood scale. The watersquare (± 40 cm deep) is also more an element for the inhabitants of the neighborhoods. Children, parents and adults can sit, play and walk here.
City and Neighborhood scale. The Pavilion building itself functions on both scales. People from all places can visit it to gain information or to look at the expositions. The expositions will also be focussed on the neighborhood because Crooswijk and Oude Noorden are very creative districts. The illuminating prints brings the inside of the pavilion to the outside, to the surrounding neighborhood.
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Literature Lynch, K. (1960). The Image of the City. Massachusetts: The MIT Press. Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties. (2014). Leefbaarometer. Retrieved on 6 January 2016, from http://www.leefbaarometer.nl/kaart/ Sennet, R. (n.d.). The Open City. Stichting Plezierrivier De Rotte. (2015). De Rotte beweegt je. Retrieved on 17 November 2015, from https:// derotte.timelink.eu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/12/Brochure-de-Rotte-beweegt-je.pdf. Termorshuizen, K. (2013). De Rotte; van wilde veenen tot wereldhaven. Zwolle: Waanders Uitgevers.
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