IFLA国际大学生设计竞赛作品选登
三等奖： 潮汐景观——以荷兰埃姆斯大坝为例 Tidal Landscape of the Eemsdam
流、潮汐湿地、盐渍草地以及淤泥，形成一个自然的沿海防御系统，以减少潮 汐振幅，并且防止洪水灾害。该项目促使代尔夫宰尔现有产业转移到埃姆斯哈 文港，而其逐渐转型为休闲港口。
基于形态学的海滨防御体系 本设计概念旨在给予瓦登海更多的自然动力发展的空间。目前的概念是
(荷兰)罗兰·米克 / (Netherlands)Roeland Meek 庄佳栋 译 / Translated by ZHUANG Jia-dong 文章编号：1000-6664(2013)06-0039-01 中图分类号：TU 986
文献标志码：A
收稿日期：2013-05-13；
修回日期：2013-05-22
边界景观 边境地区对景观设计师来说是一块可以改变、重建以及再塑造的区域。 边境景观的二元性是其主要特点。一方面，它是两国之间的边界线。而另一方 面，它本身也可以引发冲突和双重解读。边界线的周围地区常常是遍布矛盾以 及争议的地方，正是这种争议性，形成不同的边界和边界景观。
项目场地介绍 埃姆斯—多拉尔特河口位于荷兰东北部，与德国交界。其面积约 2
290km ，是荷兰四大河口三角洲地区之一。该河口是鸟类以及比目鱼的栖居 地。埃姆斯河还是通往荷兰与德国几大重要港口的要道。
让动态的潮汐景观显现出来，它将为海堤后方的土地带来丰富的沉积物。通过 这种方法，土地面积将不会像过去一样渐渐往内陆萎缩，而是会逐步被填埋增 长，甚至快过海平面的上升。
项目设计 本项目考虑到大坝能给人带来窒息震撼的体验而没做过多的休闲设计。该 项目的设计和概念反映了其周围景观的二元性。在这个设计作品里，作者想引 起路人对Eems-Dollard河口未来发展的思考。 该设计分为5个区，每一个都有自己的特色和功能。 区域1是人一般无法接近的“潮汐边疆”。这个区域完全是用于生态发 展，可以作为瓦登海比目鱼以及鸟类的繁殖地。 区域2是“海上花园”，这里将重点放在创新性耕作上。在大坝区域将会 有大约1 000hm2的空间作为海藻生产基地。海藻中富有多种有价值的元素， 可以用来取代一些靠土地种植的产物。此外，这里将放置27个风力涡轮机用 于发电。 区域3为“改变的土地”，从外观上看类似于区域1，但人们可以进入这
荷兰和德国的边界正处于该河口。而两国仍未为边界的确切位置达成一
个区域。许多旧渔船在这里将改造为临时住宅。船体的内部是现代风格的装
致。由于这个边境争端，两国都无法为该地区承担职责，导致一场看不见的生
修，而它们的外表因生锈和风化看起来陈旧。它们的方向和位置会随潮汐的变
态灾难正在发生。
化而做改变。
景观历史
区域4则是“43号防波堤”，它是最后一座连接到埃姆斯的堤岸。这块空
埃姆斯—多拉尔特河口的东部有一个明显的突起且不规则的形状，这就是
旷开敞的区域壮可供人们娱乐用。这个区域尽可能保持简单的。只有一些基本
多拉尔特湾，它是由1362年的大洪灾冲刷形成的。如今，多拉尔特湾是一个
设施：停车场，一个港口，观景点以及基本卫生设施。该设计寻求一种以人为
满布泥滩、河道的潮汐地带。退潮时，70%的泥滩是干燥的。
本、技术上可行和最实用的形状外观。
大洪灾使该地区形成不规则的潮差。土地复垦降低了潮汐的覆盖范围。因
区域5“终曲”将延展出大坝的末端。人将走在狭长的大坝上，感觉自身
为潮汐的海水供应一直保持不变，水无法再覆盖到原来的地方。这些极端的潮
的渺小与脆弱。但是当你到达终点时，你将豁然开朗，看到神奇壮丽的景观。
汐振幅，使该地生态系统获得一些得以开发与维护的空间。
混凝土结构观景点
当前危机与现状
这个观景点位于43号防波堤的一个小土坡上。它是基于开放与封闭，导
目前，该地区的港口活动仍不断需要对河道进行处理以保证航道的深度。
向与迷失2个相对立的二元性概念进行设计的。在土坡上和围墙内将有2种不
但是，不断挖掘航道会导致2个严重的后果。其一则是涨潮时潮汐会通过这些
同的空间感。人在封闭的空间内视野局限，然而快走到尽头时，又豁然开朗。
航道逐渐侵蚀内陆深远地区。这不仅导致了内陆地区的水环境问题，还导致几
利用潮汐，改造未来：景观设计师未来的角色
个村庄不得不在2012年被疏散。 其次，连续疏浚也导致河里含有高浓度的污泥。这些淤泥使水变得浑浊， 氧气浓度降低，从而阻碍了水生植物、海洋动物和土壤生物的生存繁衍。大多
埃姆斯大坝极大提升了该河口的生态价值并且将改善了德国和荷兰水滨应 对海平面上升的能力。这个项目显示了未来景观设计师和景观设计学的潜在作 用。它为提升整个地区的景观质量提供了新的重要举措。
数原本生存在水里的生物已经消失了，从而导致一个无形的生态灾难。
扭转现状的设计方案
注：竞赛图纸见拉页。
“埃姆斯大坝”项目试图在埃姆斯—多拉尔特河口放置一个南北走向长达 33km的水坝以改变目前的僵局。这个大坝适应了该河口独特的地貌，同时减
(编辑/曹娟)
少了河口处的潮汐振幅。大坝的形状和位置还为边境冲突提供了解决途径：荷 兰和德国的边界最后可以落在这个大坝上。 大坝将该地区分成2个截然不同的系统。大坝以北的德国境内，将注重开 发一种“快景观”，主要体现这里的工业特征以及用于获取风能和海藻栽培。 而大坝以南的荷兰境内，则更注重“慢景观”的发展，这里将遍布蜿蜒的溪
44
作者简介： (荷兰)罗兰·米克/1986年生/男/2012年毕业于万豪劳伦斯坦应用科技大学/ 万豪劳伦斯坦应用科技大学指导员 译者简介： 庄佳栋/ 1987年生/男/新西兰林肯大学景观设计学硕士
Selected Works of IFLA International Student Design Competition
Tidal landscape of the Eemsdam The changing attitude of the Dutch towards water and nature (Netherlands)ROELAND MEEK
Abstract: The project Eemsdam proposes a solution for the Eems-Dollard estuary in the Northeast of the Netherlands. This is one of the two remaining open sea estuaries after the realisation of the DutchDelta Works. The project Eemsdam deals with water safety, ecological values, an existing border conflict and cultural landscape identity. It illustrates a new Dutch approach of 'working with water'. Human interventions such as land reclamation and diking have led to a gradual reduction of the size of the estuarine area. The high concentration of sludge in the water causes serious ecological problems. The Netherlands and Germany still disagree about the exact border in the Eems-Dollard estuary, despite of a border agreement of 1960. Because of this frontier dispute, neither country currently takes responsibility for the estuary. The project Eemsdam presents an integral solution for the area by proposing the building of a real dam in the Eems. This 'Eemsdam' solves the sludge problem and thus greatly improves the ecological value of the estuary. At the same time it contributes to flood safety, strengthens regional and cultural landscape identity and will solve the border issue. Interestingly, the plan embraces natural processes as well as technical solutions for the problems at hand. It creates new, inspiring landscapes that offer new possibilities for recreation, nature development, agriculture and energy production. The project Eemsdam offers important new incentives for developing landscape quality of the region as a whole. The plan ‘Eemsdam’ was developed during my graduation stage at the University of applied sciences Van Hall Larenstein in Velp, the Netherlands. I worked on this thesis from February to July 2012. This publication is a summary of my master phase design, as well as a supporting design research and a detailed design. I would like to thank in particular my supervisors from University Van Hall Larenstein: Ir. A. Noortman, Ir. J. Vlug, Ir. C. Zoon, Ir. Veenstra R, Ir. I. Branderhorst and Ir. H. Smolenaers. Their sharp questions and helpful suggestions lifted the plan to a higher level.
1 Border Landscapes
is often left blank. Frequently, we only see a boundary line drawn that
In 2012, my year of graduation, landscape architecture focused
indicatesand marks the contour of the neighbour country. For landscape
on the border regions of the Netherlands. After the formation of the
design and development this boarder can't be marked or indicated so
European Union in 1958, European countries still held their own spatial and
hard. Scenic landscapes or landscape systems never end at borders
economic policy. For years, individual countries hardly looked across their
devised by humans. For example, the Netherlands isa delta country
national borders. In this way it could happen that areas developed entirely
inextricably linked to and dependent of the water from the rivers beyond its
different in economical and scenic way on both sides of a national border.
own borders. Therefor, the Dutch water policy is presently determined by
Differences of insights, opportunism and lack of cooperation often led to
the European Union of Water Boards in Brussels.
conflicts between neighbouring countries. Opportunities to collaborate with
On a lower scale, you will never experience a national border as a
neighbours often remained unexploited. Besides, border regions usually
hard limit or boundary when you walk through a border landscape. A
have their own specific problems, such as limited possibilities for economic
border often exist exclusively in our minds. Many borders are determined
development, social and demographic decline. Along the coast, salinization
without being visible in a landscape. An interesting or fascinating thought is
of agricultural and natural areas may cause problems.
that, in theory a borderisonly an abstract body of thought. Purely because
Because of the globalization of economies and communication
we collectively have determined its positionit is actually there. But if we
through Internet and social media as well as by a better understanding of
were to agree that it would be 100 meters in another direction it could
issues such as climate change, we become more and more aware that
be possible as well. This indicates that a border is not determined by a
we have to look across our own borders for the sustainable development
landscape phenomenon or appearance but is only a territorial demarcation
of a country or region as a whole. We realize that cooperation with our
of countries. Within different disciplines there is also a different approach
neighbours is necessary to increase the quality of a border landscape.
or view towards a border. The more contemplative disciplines such
As a landscape architect, border landscapes have always fascinated
as geographers and historians see a border more often as a result of
me. If we look at most maps of the Netherlands or other European
constructions, processes and historical events, a logical consequence of
countries, it is remarkable that they are often detailed and colorized up
a number of events and facts. The more designing disciplines, for instance
to the border of a country. The area of our neighbours behind the border
landscape architects, see a border rather as a region or area that could be
45
IFLA国际大学生设计竞赛作品选登
changed, redeveloped and shaped again.
mentioned above, a complex system of waterworks, known as the Delta
What makes border landscapes particularly interesting and fascinating
Works, was built after our latest major flood disaster in 1953. This complex
is that there is always a duality. Drawing a borderline between two
system of waterworks protects the country against the constant threat
countries, thus agreeing that this is mine and that is yours, gives on the
of flooding. Only two main estuaries were not barred in this system: the
one handpeace, because uncertainty is resolved. On the other hand,
Westerschelde in the southwest of the Netherlands and the Eems-Dollard
the borderline in itself can be a new source of conflict and duality. In the
in the northeast of the Netherlands.
Netherlands there are numerous examples of neighbour conflicts about
The Eems-Dollard estuary is located in the northeastern part of
the border between two gardens or the placement of a fence. A border
the Netherlands at the boundary with Germany. With a surface of
is a double-sided and often contradictory phenomenon and the influence
approximately 290 km2, it is one of the four major estuaries of the Dutch
of that dilemma is frequently present in the direct surrounding of borders,
delta region (the other estuaries being formed by the rivers Schelde, Maas
also on a large scale. It is this duelling characteristic, which ensures that no
and Rijn). Besides the Westerschelde (the western estuary of the Schelde)
border and no border landscape is comparable. This makes border regions
it is the last estuary with a free outflowing river. The Eems-Dollard estuary
so interesting for a graduation assignment.
is connected to the much larger Wadden Sea, which extends from Den Helder in the Netherlands to Esbjerg in Denmark. The Eems-Dollard
2 The Dutch and Water
estuary is home to the largest bird colony of Pied Avocets (Recurvirostra
Water has always been the strongest enemy as well as the best friend
avosetta ) of Northwest Europe. Migratory birds like Common Teal (Anas
of the Dutch people. The Dutch country is indissolubly connected with
crecca ), and Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus ) make a stop there
water: Salt water from the sea as well as sweet water from big European
during migration to recuperate. In addition, it acts as a nursery area
rivers. Dyke construction, land reclamation, Delta Works and Dam's
for flatfish. Around 75% of all the flatfish in the North Sea is born in the
are all terms that make it possible for the Dutch to live and function in
Wadden Sea. Of these 75%, 25% is born and nursed in the Eems-Dollard
their country. These days, the Dutch are not in an enviable position. The
estuary. The major species of this flatfish population is Plaice (Pleuronectes
land is sinking while at the same time the sea level is rising, posing new
platessa ). Besides this ecological function, the estuary also hosts a lot
challenges for the Dutch to keep their feet dry. As most people know, a
of economic activity. The Eems is the gateway to the Dutch harbours of
large part of The Netherlands lies below sea level. As a result, the struggle
Delfzijl with its chemical industry and the rapidly developing energy harbour
against water characterizes the Dutch and the Dutch landscape. To deal
Eemshaven. At the German site these are the harbours of Papenburg,
with the water, technical solutions like dikes, pumps and dams were built
with the largest drydock in the word, and Emden, the third largest vehicle
to protect the country against the constant threat of flooding. As people
port of Germany. The activity in these harbours requires good accessibility
say: "God created the earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands". The
for large vessels. Therefore, continuous dredging is required in order to
Delta Works, a complex system of waterworks that was built after the flood
keep the shipping lane at depth. These harbours are economically very
disaster of 1953, is perhaps the most famous example of this technical
valuable for the region. Probably, the Eemsdelta will suffer in the future from
approach. Behind the dikes, the land was cultivated and used for living,
social and demographic decline. Employment is an important agenda for
working and agriculture areas, leaving little space for nature and natural
the provinces and municipalities on both sides of the border, in order to
processes to take place.
maintain the liveability in the area.
Nowadays the Dutch attitude towards water and nature seems to
The border between the Netherlands and Germany is positioned
be changing. In the last couple of years new types of plans are being
through the Eems-Dollard estuary. The Netherlands and Germany still
presented. Instead of fighting the water, the tendency seems to change
disagree about the exact border location. According to the Netherlands
towards working together with the water, allowing water and nature to take
the border is located through the main shipping channel. According to
their own course. We are looking for long-term alternatives for the current
Germany the border is located in front of the Dutch city Delfzijl. In 1960, a
strategy of building higher and higher dikes and pumping water as hard
border treaty was established in which agreements were made for mineral
as possible. No longer we want to fight against the water, but instead we
extraction, use of the waterway and water management. Due to this
want to profit from its natural dynamics. New projects seem to mark a
frontier dispute neither country takes responsibility for the estuary and an
change in thinking about defence against water, which will also affect the
invisible ecological disaster is taking place.
development possibilities for nature, as well as our view towards nature.
4 Chronicle of the Landscape 3 Introduction in the Project Area
If we look at the shape of the Eems-Dollard estuary it is immediately
Disastrous floods in the past have encouraged the Dutch people
apparent that the estuary has a crazy bulge and disproportional form on
to continually strengthen their defence against the sea and rivers. As
the east side. This part of the Eems-Dollard estuary is called the Dollard.
46
Selected Works of IFLA International Student Design Competition
This unnatural shaped Dollard area istheresult of a great flooding. Up to
as the “yellow river� of Europe. Caused by the sludge of the dredged
1362 the Dollard didn't exist. In that year, during the Marcellus Flood, large
fairway and the disproportional form of the estuary that resulted from land
parts of the habitable land were swept away by the sea. Only few people
reclamation in the past, the characteristic gully system is silting up, the
know that the Eems-Dollard estuary lost a lot of villages to the sea. Only
water gets murky and oxygen concentrations diminish, thus hampering
Zeeland, in the southwest of the Netherlands, lost more villages during the
the development of aquatic plants, marine animals and soil biota. Over
flood disaster of 1953. More than 800 years ago, the current Dollard was
the years, most life in and above the Eems-Dollard estuary has gradually
a prosperous agricultural area, where 30 to 35 villages were located and
disappeared, resulting in an invisible ecological disaster. Environmental
even a small city. During the Marcellus Flood in 1362 and the emergence
care organizations and harbour industries are constantly arguing. As a
of the Dollard, waves have swallowed all these villages. After this
result, the landscape development stagnates and neither can realize their
breakthrough, the Dollard arises in the following 150 years, and in the next
ambitions. The biggest excuse that is used by both countries is the frontier
300 years the surface of the Dollard floodplain is slowly diminishing caused
dispute. This disagreement allows neither country to take responsibility
by human interventions such as land reclamation and diking, eventually
for the area. It seems as if both countries have turned their backs to the
reaching its present shape and size. Nowadays, the Dollard is a tidal area
estuary and are only lookingtowards their own inland.
of mudflats, channels and plates. During low tide, 70% of the mudflats are dry. It has a brackish water system, influenced by salt water from the North Sea and fresh water from the rivers Eems and Westerwoldse Ae.
6 Redemptive Design Response The 'Eemsdam' plan tries to breach this stalemate situation by
Because of the historical events just described, a unnatural tidal
placing a 33 km long dam in the Eems-Dollard estuary, with a north-
amplitude has arisen in the Eems-Dollard estuary. Reclamation of land
south orientation, starting in Germany next to the town of Ditsum and
that was swallowed by the sea has brought much wealth in the region,
ending in the Wadden Sea. This dam respects the unique open estuary
because this land was highly fertile. However land reclamation reduced
system, and simultaneously reduces the tidal amplitude in the estuary,
the tidal volume. Since the tidal supply of sea water has remained the
thus enabling new opportunities for the Eems-dollar region on both the
same, the system can no longer find space for all the water and the level is
land- and seaside. Besides the technical advantage of parallel positioning
elevated at high tide. Consequently the disproportional shape of the Eems-
of the Eemsdam in the estuary this shape and location of the Eemsdam
Dollard estuary causes extra high water levels and thus unnatural high
also offers reason to resolve the border conflict. The border between the
tidal amplitudes. Because of these extreme tidal amplitudes, the ecology
Netherlands and Germany will definitely be positioned at the Eemsdam.
system gets little space to develop or maintain itself.
Consequently, there will be certainty about the management of the EemsDollard estuary. In this way the focus of both countries will turn 180
5 Crisis and Current Condition
degrees, from inwards to their own inland to outward to the Eems-Dollard
The significant ecological importance of the open estuary has been
estuary. The dam will divide the estuary in two distinct systems. North
acknowledged in 2007 by its addition to the Natura 2000 Wadden Sea
of the dam, at the German side, a 'fast landscape' will develop, with a
area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides being an important natural
predominantly industrial character. Harbour industries may be extended
area, the Eems-Dollard estuary also has an important economical function.
and intensified here and in addition the dam will provide opportunities for
The estuary provides an entrance to important harbours as mentioned
harvesting wind energy and seaweed cultivation. South of the dam, at the
before. The current economic developments around these harbours
Dutch side, a 'slow landscape' will develop, existing of meandering creeks
continuously require interventions in the estuary in order to keep the
and tidal marshes, with salt meadows and mud plates. At the southwest
shipping lane at depth. The continuously dredging of the fairway has two
side of the dam, new salt meadows will form a natural coastal defence,
major consequences.
leading to reduced tidal amplitudes, thereby defending the land from the
The first consequence is that the tidal amplitude easily reaches further
sea. At the land side around the Eems-Dollard estuary, the reduced tidal
and further inland during high tide through the deep dredged fairway. This
amplitudes will prevent flooding caused by abundant rainfall, since sweet
causes dangerous inland water problems. Sweat water from the inland
water can be more easily drained away into the estuary. The expected
cannot be disposed anymore into the estuary during high water levels at sea.
hydrodynamic changes at the Dutch side of the dam will induce the
As a result, several villages had to be evacuated in 2012 since water from
transformation of the city of Delfzijl into a recreational harbour, inaccessible
the "Eemskanaal" could not be drained into the estuary. This problem will be
for large vessels. By gradually moving the existing industry near Delfzijl
reinforced in the future by the expected sea level rise due to climate changes
to Eemshaven, a process that is already taking place because of better
as well as by land subsidence caused by gas extraction from this region.
development opportunities in Eemshaven, the city of Delfzijl will gain new
Secondly, the continuous dredging also causes high concentration of sludge in the water. The river Eems is presently negatively indicated
ĂŠlan, focussing on nature development, high quality living, water storage and recreation.
47
IFLA国际大学生设计竞赛作品选登
surrounding landscape of the Eemsdam, it is immediately apparent that the
7 Morphological Coastal Defence
landscape is characterized by the continuous conflict and duality between
The open connection with the North Sea characterizes the Eems-
economic and ecological activity, either the natural versus the created. The
Dollard estuary. Gullies and plates are constantly moving and changing
design and concept of the Eemsdam reflects this duality in the surrounding
in this system. These dynamics are the main strength of Eems-Dollard
landscape. While designing the Eemsdam I have asked myself which
estuary, but are difficult to predict. New plates and salt marshesand gullies
architectural terms characterize a fast landscape and which architectural
will occur because the construction of the Eemsdam will interfere with
terms characterize a slow landscape. Eventually, the concept is based
these morphological processes. I made a scale model of the estuary to get
on wonder. You will see continuously different characters on both side of
a rough understanding of the morphological changes and processes that
the dam, which unconsciously will provoke questions to passers. With
will arise. In this model high and low tides can be simulated. By adding
this concept, I want to provoke passers to think about the development
sand and coffee dregs, the model showed how and where erosion or
of the Eems-Dollard estuary. Should the landscape be conservative or
sedimentation would occur in the estuary.
innovative, economically or ecologically equipped, should it have a neutral
Based on the outcome of this model, a literature study of sedimentation and sea-level rise and discussions with professional hydrologists, I have implemented the following concept, which adapts
or expressive appearance and so on. The design of the Eemsdam distinguishes 5 zones, which each will have there own appearance and function.
the costal defence to the expected rise of the sea level. In this sediment-
Zone 1, indicated as "The Tidal Marchland" is inaccessible for
rich Eems-Dollard estuary, a natural dynamic coastal defence seems a
humans. This area is fully meant for ecological development. The important
promising long-term alternative to the current strategy of building higher
ecological function of the Eems-Dollard estuary as a nursery area for flatfish
and higher dikes and pumping water as hard as possible. The design
in the Wadden Sea will be preserved here. Thousands of birds will make
concept gives more space to the natural dynamics of the Wadden Sea
nests and will find food on the vast tidal flats. In this way an answer is given
area. With the present proposal, a dynamic tidal landscape arises, which
to the Natura 2000 legislation and requirements.
allows feeding the land behind the dikes by sediment-rich tides. In this way
Zone 2 "The Sea Garden" will be focused on innovating cultivations.
we are not reclaiming land further and further seawards, like we did in the
Due to the growing human demand for food and energy, opportunities
past, but instead our country could grow simultaneous with, or even faster
for sustainable exploitation of sea products receive increasingly more
than the sea-level rise. The proposal offers space for nature, agriculture
attention. In this zone of the dam there will be roughly 1 000 hectares of
and new salt-crops. In this way we no longer have to fight against the
space for seaweed production. Seaweeds are known for their diversity of
water, but we can profit from the dynamics of this system. This proposal is
valuable elements that may replace land-cultivated biomass and fuels. In
inspired by a concept of H+N+S Landscape architects.
addition, 27 wind turbines will be placed here.
8 Designing the Eemsdam
Marshland", in terms of appearance, with the difference that it is accessible
Zone 3 "The Changing Land" is similar to the first zone, "The Tidal As a landscape architect, I attached great importance to the creation
to people. A number of old fishing boats will function here as temporary
of new, attractive and inspiring spaces for humans during the design
residences. The interior of the boats will have a modern character, whereas
of the Eemsdam. In most cases, the appearance and shape of a dam
their outside will look old, rusty and weathered. Their orientation and
is determined by its primary function. However, an additional aspect of
position will change twice a day due to the effect of tides.
dams is their enormous attractiveness to the public. Walking on a dam
Zone 4 "Breakwater 43" is the last rockfilled breakwater connected
will make you feel small and vulnerable towards the huge dimensions of
to the Eemsdam. It is meant for recreation in an area dominated by
this construction and the power of the water. Especially this experience
emptiness and openness. People are free to give their own meaning
of the littleness of man makes dams attractive for people. The design
to this region. There are only a few basic services, including a parking
of the Eemsdam accounts for these human feelings without too much
space, a harbour, a viewpoint and a building with basic sanitary facilities.
predetermined recreational design. This would overrule the pure
This subdivision of the Eemsdam offers an interesting and exciting space
experience of the dam and its environment. The experience at the end
to the recreating public.
of a dam is in itself spectacular enough and does not need additional
Zone 5 "The End" will lead to the outer end of the dam. A walk from
design measures. The challenge is more to seduce people to take a walk
breakwater 43 to the end point of the Eemsdam in the Wadden Sea will
to the end.
induce an increasing tension along the route. In these last five kilometres
By constructing the Eemsdam two types of landscapes will develop,
all human dimensions disappear. One feels small and vulnerable on the
a slow and a fast landscape. In the design and materialisation of the
long but narrow profile of the dam. At the endpoint, however, you will be
Eemsdam itself, this concept is further elaborated. If you look at the
rewarded with a fantastic view. The waves and crests stretch up to the
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Selected Works of IFLA International Student Design Competition
horizon and you can see the curvature of the earth.
estuary and will improve the protection of Germany and of the Netherlands against the rising sea. Nowadays the Dutch attitude towards water safety
9 Designing Empty Spaces
seems to be changing. In the last couple of years new types of plans are
I have made a detailed design of Breakwater 43 as a final clarification
being presented. Instead of fighting the water, the tendency seems to
of the Eemsdam design. Breakwater 43 is the last concrete breakwater
change towards working with the water, allowing it to take its course. A
connected to the Eemsdam. The area has a recreational function,
recent example of this changing attitude towards water safety is the 'Sand
which is different compared to the rest of the dam. Breakwater 43 is
motor', a coastal defence project. In this project, a sand flat has been
easily accessible by car and all basic recreational facilities are present
created in front of the beach leaving it to the sea currents to divide the sand
here. Consequently, the remaining part of the dam may stay simple and
along the coastline, instead of strengthening the North Sea coast with hard
pure. People can walk from breakwater 43 to the end of the dam until
dams to break the waves. Although this is still a pilot project, it seems to
gradually all elements and human dimensions have disappeared and one
mark a change in thinking about defence against water. This will affect the
is exclusively surrounded by the sea, feeling small and vulnerable. The
development possibilities for nature as well as our appreciation of natural
parking place is the central point in the design. All other functions are
processes. Likewise, my proposal tries to use the natural dynamics of the
designed around this parking place. The area around breakwater 43 will be
Eems-Dollard estuary. In my opinion this project demonstrates the potential
characterized by emptiness. I am convinced that designing empty spaces
role of landscape architects and landscape architecture in the future.
and areas will stimulate people to feel free to give their own meaning
Together with technical solutions designed by other disciplinesfor rising
to these areas and that they will do this naturally. The appearance of
problems and threats, landscape architects may combinethese technical
Breakwater 43 will be robust, reliable and straightforward. There are only a
designs with increased opportunities for ecology, sustainability and quality
few basic facilities designed: parking space, a harbour, observation point
of life. Pure functionally, the dam could have been designed very differently,
and a building with basic sanitary facilities. Here the design challenge is not
more simple and clean. However, I tried to create new, attractive and
to find the perfect organic shape or line, but to find the most civil, technical
inspiring living environments for humans. The Eemsdam project shows that
and most functional shape. The same story applies for materialization.
this may well be combined with the stimulation and extension of economic
Cheap but reliable materials will be used, mainly basalt and concrete.
functions in the region and increased human profits from nature. Thus, it offers important new incentives for developing landscape quality for the
10 Concrete Observation Point
region as a whole.
I have included a concrete objectbased on a design of Fokke de Kam as final detail of the Eemdam design. This object functions as observation
(Editor / CAO Juan)
point and is located on top op the viewpoint hillat breakwater 43. This object is intended to strengthen the purpose and function of my concept. Similar to the total Eemsdam design, I want to provoke wonder with this object as well as to show the duality of this border landscape. In this way I hope to inspire people to think about the future development of the EemsDollard estuary. The object is based on the duality between openness versus confined space and orientation versus disorientation. The viewpoint hill allows for a good overview of the Eems-Dollard estuary. From this height, you can orient yourself properly, but when you walk through the concrete object you will suddenly loose all sense of scale and orientation. The concrete walls and the confined space between them force you to reflect on yourself. Then suddenly your view escapes the concrete walls, attracted by the vast and endless landscape of the Eems-Dollard estuary again.
11 Shifting Tides and Times; the Future Role of Landscape Architects
Biography: Roeland Meek was born September 04, 1986 and grew up in the little village Altforst, Gelderland, the Netherlands. When he was 16 years old, he moved to Nijmegen to study traditional landscaping. As a qualified landscaper he continued his education at the University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein, part of Wageningen UR, where he graduated Cum Laude in 2012 in landscape architecture. Roeland Meek worked in 2009 as a trainee and in the summer of 2011 as employee at H+N+S Landscapearchitects in Amersfoort. In 2011 he started the design group Happyland Collective with ten other landscape designers, which still flourishes and exploits a common studio and project space in Arnhem. Besides, he works as independent garden designer. In 2012 he started as an instructor at the University of Applied Sciences Van Hall Larenstein. In April 2013, his graduation project ‘The tidal
The Eemsdam can function as stimulator or motor for further
landscape of the Eemsdam’ has won the 3rd Prize of the IFLA
development of the region in the future. By building a single dam, the
student competition, awarded at the 50th IFLA world congress in
project 'Eemsdam' gives an enormous boost to the ecological value of the
New Zealand.
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