Msc tudelft Q1 Gouda

gouda

Gouda

the story of reconnecting the city a portfolio of the project process

Colophon Master Urbanism TU Delft MSc1 Q1 Gouda R&D Studio: Analysis and Design of City form

Groupmembers: Anne Witteveen Maurice Giliams Onno de Vries Shyreen Shaib

4173759 1516051 4016211 4153081

Teacher

Els Bet

Date

November 04th 2013

Š 2013, Self publishing ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This portfolio contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. All the products in this portfolio are made by the group of authors. If not, the source of the product is mentioned. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this portfolio may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

index

1 introduction of gouda 5 2 analysis 9 3 vision 19 4 criticalprojects 35 maurice: the road 37 onno: the cityfront 57 anne: the storage 69 shyreen: the square 85 5 adapted vision 103 attachments 1 watersystem 2 visual map 3 landuse map

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  4

1 introduction of gouda

5  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

gouda: introduction of a city Gouda is a city of 70.000 inhabitants, located in the west of The Netherlands. The city is a part of the metropolitan area the Randstad.

Gouda has got a regional function within the Green Hart ( a green and less dence developed area in the metropolitan region) and is the second biggest municipality in the Green Hart.

Gouda is located at the crosspoint of two rivers and developed along the river banks of the two rivers. These rivers are the ‘Hollandse IJssel’ and the ‘Gouwe’ canal. Both fed by the river Rhine, one of the main rivers in The Netherlands.

Thanks to the inland shipping that make use of these two rivers, Gouda became in the middle ages an important city for trading. The city got cityrights and became the fifth city in Holland.

Gouda

In the inner city of Gouda, many historical and monumental buildings can be found, like the cityhall and the St Janschurch. They remind us to the historic value of the city. Beside the historical attraction of the city, Gouda is known for the Gouda Cheese and the Dutch coockie, stoopwafel.

The morphological location of Gouda is interesting. The city is build on a wet peat soil. Along the banks of the rivers, fertile kley soil is found.

This part of The Netherlands is below sea-level. Being below sea level as a city, and being build in the peat soils, the landscape of Gouda can be characterised as a water landscape.

Amsterdam

Gouda

The Hague

Rotterdam

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city 6

Utrecht

gouda: large scale connections Gouda is strongly connected to the surrounding cities in The Randstad.

Highways, railways and waterways connect the city to a larger scale.

The A12 is an important highway for the city. It is located on the North of the city and provide eccess to the city by a few exits towards the city.

The railway has got two train stations in the city: Gouda Central Station and Gouda Goverwelle. The central station is for many daily travelers the entrance to the city.

The waterways are formed by the two rivers. Trading and transport ships form together with recreational shipping the main use of the waters. A few city harbours provide an entrance to the city for these users.

7  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  8

2 analysis

9  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

current situation: water management Water and watermanagement has always been connected to Gouda and is still a major subject of interest for the municipality to deal with.

Gouda makes a difference between large waterways and the small ones. The large structures are the rivers. They provide opportunity for inland shipping, trading, manufacturing and transport of goods. The water should remain navigable for the ships, so the bottom of the rivers need to be dredged frequently. The bridges, slopes, banks and locks are a part of the maintenace of the rivers. The main function, transport of goods, ships and water, shoild always be feasible.

The small waterways, the canals of the city, have an introvert character compared with the rivers. The rivers pass the city and the canals are in the city. These canals play a hugh role in the watermanagement of the inner city and other neighborhoods. The city maintains fixed waterlevels in the canals. One of the reasons to do so, are the wooden pilars underneath the houses in the old city center. When the waterlevel would drop, oxigen can reach the pilars and they will rot. Causing instable houses and collaps danger.

When it is raining, all the water from the paved area runs into the sewer system or into the canals. They transport the water to large pumps, who pump on their turn, the water into the rivers.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  10

current situation: barriers of the city The city of Gouda is framed between several borders: • the highway • the rivers • the railway These borders hold the city back from expansion. The municipality border (red line) is following these three borders. There are two exceptions. On the south east side of the city, the municipality border crosses the river ‘Hollandse IJssel’ and on the south west side the border crosses the other river ‘Gouwe’ canal. This last crossing is also the latest expansion of the city. An new neighborhood will be realized here, on the deepest part of The Netherlands. The polder reaches a dept of 6 meters below sea level.

11 Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

historical analysis: Reeuwijkse plassen

L

L

Reeuwijkse plassen

L

L

M

L

M

S To

S the

M

S

M S

To Utrecht

Hag

ue

M

M

L

M M

S S

S

To

To

Ro

Ro

tt

tt

er

er

da

m

da

m

S

M

S

1550

1850

1950

The city grew at the intersection of the two rivers, the Hollandse IJssela and the Gouwe. The Gouwe (north west side of the city) flows into the canal system of the city. Boats have to navigate trough the city to get from one river to the other. The surrounding peat landscape is cultivated.

The city grwe within the city walls. The railway was made and the station is just outside these walls on the north side of the city. The canal system in the city is slightly adjusted and a new waterconnection to the new lake de Reeuwijkse Plassen, is made.

The city grew and expanded beyond the city walls. The railway formed a new border of the city. The highway appears on the map. This road connects Gouda to other big cities in the country over land.

Along the river banks, the soil is more fertile, more firm and contains more clay than the soil in the polders. Because of these factors the plots along the rivers are smaller than in the polder. The landscape structure is smaller (S). North of the city the soil is more wet and the plots het bigger (M and L). Two old roads cross the polder and connect the city of Gouda to other surrounding villages.

The people were living within the city walls.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  12

The riverflows are adjusted to maximum shipping comfort and the innercity can be avoid. Inland shipping is passing the city on the west side. The innercity and the locks that connect these waters to the rivers become recreational waters.

2013 The city grew and now the highway is the nortern border of the city.

The canals and locks of the innercity are getting more attention and are restord for historical preservation.

A12

L

L

Reeuwijkse plassen

M S To Utrecht

M M

S

am

S

13  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

concept: current orientation On the previes pages we saw the growth of Gouda. The city was originally oriented towards the junction of the rivers, and it grew concentric. Other ways of infrastucture and transport appear oer time and they take over the function of the rivers. The city used to have one way to enter the city, and now it has multiple ways to enter the city. But the orientation of the city never shifted towards these new entrances, the old orientation towards the water remain.

Thereby we say that the orientation of the city is towards the water, that the city grew concentric and that the new infralines create entrances on the backside of the city.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  14

concept: wanted orientation In order to bennefit maximum from the infrastucture towards and from the city, we suggest that there should be a shift in orientation. The city should enhance theire entrances and welcome people in. The backside should become a frontside of the city.

15  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

entrances of the city: current and bad

GOUDA CITY CE NTER

gouda city center

wall

of

green

wall of business buildings and

wall

of

industrie

business buildings

exit from the highway A20

Exit from highway towards the city center. The center is not viseable at all. The business area forms a wall that blocks the sight.

This is the mainroad north of the railway that enters the inner city. Indusrty and business buildings form an impersonal wall that creates a separationENbetween the and the neighborhoods.

TRANCE TO WAroad RD S THE STATIO N

gouda city ce

housing area

gouda station

rie f indust o l l a w chaotic

ion ect r i e d tru

wanted direction

This road crosses the river arm Kromme Gouwe ent rance tro ugh and is an entrance for the neighborhood Kort Akkeren. The ind ust ria l area sees a chaotic wall of industry that should welcome you in. housing area is not visable at all, the eye only Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  16

This is the mainroad north of the railway that enters the inner city. Indusrty and business buildings form an impersonal wall that creates a separation between the road and the neighborhoods.

entrances of the city: examples and good

This main road reaches straight into the city center of Amersfoort. The church is visable and forms a guiding and focus object on the horizon.

The stationroad in Den Bosch is leading directly towards the city center. The old city gate is visable. All the lines on the street direct you to the city center and back to the station.

This road reaches the village center direct from the landscape. The small scale landscape is surrounding the road and provides the crountry side feeling.

This road leads from the Middelburg station directly to the city center. The church is visable and the bridge is strengthening this connection.

17  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  18

3 vision

19  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

concept The vision phase started with a workshop ‘idea generating’ . During this workshop there was one exercise which was very useful for us, it led to our vision concept. In this exercise we had to go outside to find an object. When we returned we had to discuss in what way we could use the object for our vision. We brought back a traffic sign. After analysing and discussing we find out that the different parts and the way those are connected, are a metaphore for Gouda. As you can see in the picture below, the traffic sign consist of three parts; the platform, the pole and the connecting elements. The platform is the actual city of Gouda and there are two poles; the highway and the railway. The strenght of Gouda is being attached to it’s poles and therefore the rest of the Netherlands. So this attechment, which is made by connecting elements is very important for the city. The connecting elements we are talking about are the entrances. This means the stronger the entrance the stronger the city.

platform (surface)

connecting element (node) pole (line element)

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city 20

translation from concept to base vision 40.000-20.000 386

20.000

Gouda has two main entrances, one from the highway into the Goudse Poort area and one from the railway. The railway station is located just north of the old centre. Gouda is located on the route between Utrecht to The Hague, Rotterdam. This route is important in the network of the Randstad, therefore it is a busy one. The number of persons and cars entering the city illustrate this. From the highway, 20.000 to 40.000 cars enter Gouda every day. At the railway station there are 20.000 persons arriving every day. Since the city is not orientated on its entrances, all those who enter the city arrive at the backdoor.

When we want to improve the entrances, it is not a question of upgrading this specific location. The whole entrance route and therefore the whole area should be improved. When we can give these areas a boost, the entrances will be better and so will the city. The areas we are talking about here are; the Goudse Poort, adjacent to the highway, and the railway zone, adjacent to the railway.

The main focus is on those two areas, but since the vision is for Gouda in total, the whole city will be taken in account. By improving the entrance other problems can be tackled as well. On the next pages the research and analysis on the Goudse Poort are showed, which will result in a vision for this area.

21  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

goudse poort: relevant research Office vacancy Goudse Poort m2 185000 /m2 85000 % 45,9

Office vacancy NL m2 48000000 /m2 7000000 % 14.6

Goudse poort Housing shortage gouda 30540 :2010 total houses 490 :shortage

The Goudse Poort is at the moment an industrial and offices area in the northwest of Gouda. Currently they are developing a shopping area with DIY and furniture stores. The problem of this area is its vacancy.

Many of the building are vacant or partly vacant and not that old. In total there is 185.000 square meter of buildings. 46 percent of this is vacant; this means 85.000 square meter isn’t used. This is a very high percentage. When you compare it to the average in the Netherlands (15 percent), the vacancy rate in the Goudse Poort is three times higher.

Vacancy is a trend in every office area in Gouda, but in the Goudse Poort is the problem the biggest, especially when you realise it’s the entrance of the city.

The image below shows the buildings which are (partly) vacant. It’s difficult to map all the vacant buildings, because this information is not widely spread. We are sure about the red buildings, but there is probably more vacancy.

% 1.6

From research we found out that there is a little housing shortage.

There is a housing project developed in a polder west of Gouda, Westergouwe. When you take this in account there is still a shortage of 490 houses.

The problem of the vacancy and the housing shortage can be combined. The offices which are vacant can be transformed to houses.

When this is not possible, the office buildings can be replaced by residential buildings. This way, both problems will be addressed. This will make the Goudse Poort area livelier. Less vacant buildings and residents in this area will be an improvement for the entrance of Gouda.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city 22

In this industrial and office area is not much space for green. Almost all the green which is present in this area is situated in or around the sports park. The sport park is located in the northeast of the Goudse Poort. In between the sport fields there are small roads, with lots of green. It’s like a linear park. Employees from the offices use this linear park for a walk during their breaks. South of the sports facilities there is a recreational park which is connected to the neighbourhood Bloemendaal (in the east) by a bicycle path.

There are a lot of small waterways in the Goudse Poort present. When you look at a map of 1850, you can see the old polder landscape in this area. There is only one waterway left from this period. Another thing which still exists from the old Gouda is; the Winterdijk. This is one of the oldest road which ran 150 years ago straight through the Goudse Poort.

At the present, this structure is still there, but it is interrupted in the Goudse Poort. South of this area it is a bicycle route to the old centre.

North of it, the polder structure still exists.

The Goudse Poort is at the moment just a offices and industrial area with no identity. When we bring the characteristic landscape back in this area, we can create a new identity with relates to its history and the surrounding landscape. By doing so, the Goudse Poort can be transformed into an attractive entrance of Gouda.

23  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

The Goudse Poort area is a loose area in the city. It is the entrance of the city from the highway; therefore the road connections are good. The non physical connections are actually not good, which make this area a loose object. The first steps to make this entrance area a part of the city are already done. The sport spark and the shops in the Goudse Poort are functions for the whole city. Those functions don’t make this area immediately part of the city. So by creating a new improved entrance and transforming offices to housing, the Goudse Poort should be a part of Gouda.

There are only two connections to the south for slow traffic. Both connections are showed below. The reason why there are just a few connections is because of the railway. Those routes crossed the railway, both go underneath. The left one is the biggest but isn’t used that much. The other one is quite important for the Goudse Poort. Everybody who wants to go from this area to the old centre or somewhere else in the south has to take this crossing. As you can see on the image, it’s a very narrow road and you can’t if someone is coming from the opposite direction. When you take in account that this is the main connection to the south, this one has to be improved.

Besides of this, there need to be more connections crossing the railway in order to make it better accessible.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city 24

Goudse poort

When you put all previous statements together, you will get the vision map of the Goudse Poort (see image). The main goal for this area is to improve the entrance to the city from the highway. To achieve this, the whole area of the Goudse Poort should be connected to the rest of the city. For connecting this area to the city, the physical connections to the south are important. Furthermore the vacant office buildings can be transformed to or replaced for residential buildings. This will ensure the liveliness of the Goudse Poort. When the old landscape and its characteristics get restored, this entrance area will get its own identity which is typical for Gouda. In the end, development according to this vision will lead to and better entrance for Gouda to the highway. It will tackle the current problems in the Goudse Poort and make it part of the city.

25  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

spoor zone: relevant research The Municipality of Gouda has their own plans for the railzone. They already build a new cityhall and a new office building at the eastside of the railzone and they’ve got plans for a hotel and a cinema as well.

A new busstation is also located in this area. This is the area near the central station On the westside of the railzone, near the Goudse Poort, the municipality wants new office buildings to be build. The area between the office blocks and the eastside of the railzone can be used for green.

Below you see impressions of the plans made by the municipality.

Offices

Cinema Green/Water

Hotel

Cityhall Offices

Parking lots Offices Bus

station bycicle storage

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  26

Parking lots

Here you see the current situation of the station area of Gouda. The city centre is in the south of the central station. There isn’t much storage for bicycles over here as you can see on the first picture.

When you leave the station on the south site you see a square. You’ll think you must go this way for reaching the city centre. This isn’t true.

For the city centre you have to go another route. Next to the central station a busstation is situated The new cityhall of Gouda is on the northside of the central station and is a landmark for the municipality. It looks like a stroopwafel, one of the thinks Gouda is famous for.

Bicycle storage Bus station Public square Townhall / Landmark 27 Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Landscape

ha 5 =

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  28

Current watersystem can’t handle peak moments. A peak moment is a short time where a lot of water has to be pomped out of the area.

In order to handle the peak moments 5ha of waterstorage has to be made. This is for the area of the centre city and the Bloemendaalse polder. This is when the capacity of the pomps is doubled. We want to relocate the extra water to new storages in the railzone.

This are the bicycle paths near the railzone. There aren’t many passages in the railzone where you can cross the railway. There are just two passages in the railzone. There are a lot more passages at the area on the right side of the railzone. For a better connection it is important to improve the passages in the railzone.

Nowadays all the infrastructure comes together in two nodes. Those nodes are both chaotic. One is at the north of the railzone near the cityhall and is on the picture at the bottom. The other one is on the south near the city centre. When you want to go towards the city centre of Gouda you have to cross one of these nodes. These nodes have to be improves to get a better way to the city centre.

29  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

The railzone is a hot item according to the municipality of Gouda. They have their own plans for the railzone at this moment. They allready build a new cityhall over here.

The vision for the railzone is a combination of the points showed before. The main point for the railzone is to relocate the water to a new storage location in the railzone. Other points are a better bicycle route through the railzone and to improve the infrastructe of the two nodes.

By improving these points Gouda gets better connected and good entrances to the city.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  30

Convert vacant offices to new (housing) projects Return the historic landscape to the area Physical connection from Goudse poort to the southern part of the city Hot item - Zone of interest More bike storage needs to be realised around the station

Create more public space around the station

Relocate the water to new storage location in the spoorzone

Make the spoorzone more bike-friendly Improve the infrastructure of the nodes 31  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

1

exit highway and it’s surroundings

2

bicycle connection

through the railzone

3

waterstorage

4

route from exit towards the center

5

dealing with vacancy in the goudse poort

6

area around the station

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  32

Now the vision is known we can see how we can implent this vision.

We found six specific problems which must be solved. Some are for the Goudse Poort, others are for the railzone. At the left you see the six problems. By dealing with these six specific points Gouda must get better connected

33  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  34

4 criticalprojects

35  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  36

Maurice: the road 1 Analysis

37  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Current situation My critical project is about the exit of the highway and its surroundings and the route from this exit towards the centre of the city. At the left you see the location where this project is located. It is one of the main entrances from the highway A12 to the city centre.

The road is located between an industrial area called de Goudse Poort on the left side and a neighbourhood called Bloemendaal on the right side of the road.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  38

Area and routing On the left picture you see the exact location of the critical project.

It’s the area inside the orange dotted line. As you can see the road is surrounded on the left side with offices and on the right side with water and a sportpark. At the end of the road there are two nodes wich direct you to the entrance of the Goudse Poort, to the housing area of Bloemendaal or to the central station and the city centre.

The picture on the right tells you something about the infrastructure.

The redline is the main structure and is the main entrance of the city.

The pink one is the secundairy structure. The roads which direct you to the neigbourhoods belongs to this structure. The third line, the purple line, shows the bicycle roads in the area. As you can see the bicycle roads are mostly next to a main or secundairy road. Only in the park, the bicycle roads are on his own.

Main structure

Secundairy structure

Bicycle route

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39  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Whats wrong?

But what is the real problem? What is problematic in this area?

When you drive off the highway, the first thing you see is the image on the left. You don’t have any idea where you’re going to. The only green you see is green as a barrier. The green stroke between the two roads is as a separation for the roads. The threes work as a barrier for the sport park and the offices which are next to the road.

It’s a road without an identity.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city 40

Whats wrong?

When you drive further you will have the same view. A small verge of the road which is a seperation between the roads. At the back you have a view to an office building. It looks like this is an important building because it’s in your sightline but it isn’t. Its just an office building with no spicific use.

41 Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

specific research green and vacancy When we have a better look into the green structure of the area, we see that there isn’t so much green at all. It looks like there is green in the area but most of this green can’t be used or belongs to the sport park.

In the Goudse Poort isn’t any green at all.

The only green in the area that is valuable is the park in the southeast of the area. People who are working in the Goudse Poort are coming here in their lunchtime to make a walk through the park.

The functions in the area are mostly office buildings. A problem in the Goudse Poort is office vacancy. In the area of my project are some vacant office buildings as you can see in the right picture. The red buildings are vacant or partly vacant office buildings.

In the curves of the roads are two gasstations located. These gasstations are a mark for the entrance and exit of this area from or towards the highway.

An impression of the park

n Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city 42

Concept Route with identity The concept of this area is to create a route with identity. This must be done by adding green area. These areas must give a better connection between the surrounding areas.

The diagram on the left shows a way how this can be done. The next pages explain how this concept becomes an urban plan.

43  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Process structure of the area My first idea was to add some green into the Goudse Poort. A green lane between the office buildings must connet the Goudse Poort with the green park on the other side of the road. The buildings which are vacant are demolished and the open places can be used for the small green areas in the Goudse Poort. The most open areas next to the office buildings are private areas and are used for carparking. So there where only 2 areas where green can be added. After all this wasn’t the right solution for the problem.

By adding green in these two areas another problem came up. Adding green as a stroke between the office buildings didn’t fit into the structure of the area.

It wasn’t possible to change things in the private area. Therefor I changed things in the surrounding area. This improves the overall coherance.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city 44

Process broader road To create a more open road, the road had to be made broader. This isn’t possible on the side of the office buildings. There isn’t enough space because the road is close to these office buildings. The road to the highway moved more to the right.

By moving this road to the right, the whole profile of the road becomes broader. The two roads stays 2 lanes each. So the middle verge between the road becomes a lot broader. It makes the road a lot opener.

The right drawing shows the first attempt to make a more open road.

n

45 Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Process Gasstation As told before, the gasstations are a mark for entrance and exit of the city. But the gasstations couldn’t stay on there current location. They didn’t fit in the open green road.

On the left you see some design options for the gasstation on the side of the Goudse Poort. All of those 4 options had the same problem as the current gasstation. they are still next to the road. The solution is a combination of those options The gasstation moved into the Goudse Poort. It didn’t only get a new location but it’s also becomes a lot bigger. It’s combined with other functions, which are usefull for the employees in the Goudse Poort, as a supermarket and lunchroom.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city 46

Process bicycle route Another point that needs to be improved is the passageway under the main entrance into the Goudse Poort. This passage is the only direct passage in the area. The other two are at the two nodes in the south of the area. You have to cross the road if you want to get to the other side.

The passage is now a quit small bridge over the water and a dark tunnel which is beneath the road. By improving this bridge and tunnel a better connection between de Goudse Poort and Bloemendaal has been made. There is a better route to the Go Stores which are located in the Goudse Poort. This could be a new main bicycle route just like the ones on the picture.

e r o

Go

st

Picture above: the Go Stores nowadays Picture beneath: the passage nowadays

47  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Final Design specific area 1:2000 This is the new design for the north part of the area. At the top the passages becomes a lot broader. It must be attractive for cyclist to use this passage.

The main entrance becomes a lot broader as well. The small verge has been removed and replaced for a much broader green verge. A sightline is created towards the new and larger gasstation. People who enters the city must see this gasstation when they arrive.

The trees on the right side of the road are removed so you could see the water on this side. It gave the road a more open character.

The two sections on the next page are made at two specific places in the design. The first one shows a section of a part of the new gasstation and the new broader main entrance of the city. The arrows on the design on the left shows where the section is made. The second section is made more to the south near the park. The verge is a lot broader and more open over here to create a sightline. In both sections the openess of the new road is visible.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  48

n

Final Design section 1:200

49  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Final Design specific area 1:2000 The gasstation at the south part of the area has been moved just like the other gasstation and it got an upgrade as well. The area around the gasstation is connected with the park.

Between the roads there is an broad verge. A sightline towards the gasstation is created. The gasstation is a mark for the entrance and exit of the city so this must be in sight. The black line shows where the section which is on the previous page has been made.

At the most south point of the area is another green area. This green area is part of the railzone and can be used for waterstorage. At the left is a small green area next to the mc Donalds. Here you have a view towards the green recreation area on the other side of the water.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  50

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Final Design bird eye

George Washington Parkway

51  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Final Design planmap 1:5000 An overview of the new design of the area. A broader main structure is created. Green areas are added to the main structure to make a better connection with the city Gouda. These improvements should provide a route with identity.

This design must give Gouda a better entrance of the city and a better route towards the city center.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  52

n

Final Design land use map Legend

office blocks with parkingspace max 30m Green green Water water Car lane carlane gasstation Gasstationmax 10m stores Storeswith withparkingspace parkingspacemax 20m bicycle Bicycleroad lane Outline area

n 53  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

critical projects

1

2

3

exit highway and it’s surroundings Bicycle connection through the railzone Water storage

route from exit towards the center 5

dealing with vacancy in the goudse poort

6

area around the station

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city 54

When we look back to our vision you can see that two critical points are solved. By making the exit and its surrounding area better and by improving the route towards the city centre a better connection in Gouda is created.

The road gets an open character by making it a lot broader and greener. First it was a road without an idenity. Now it is the main entrance of Gouda and a connector in Gouda.

I am satisfied with my design but i think it could be better. First i wanted to change things inside the structure but this wasn’t the right way. It took to long before I worked outside the structure and I think my design could be better if I did this earlier.

I would thank my tutor Els Bet for her support and my groupmembers. Afterall I am satisfied with this Q1 project.

55  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  56

onno: the city front

57  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

introduction Current situation In my critical project I’ll improve the Goudse Poort area. It is an industrial, office and shopping area in the northwest of Gouda.

Adjacent to the east there is the Bloemendaal residential district. Those two areas are divides by a sports park. In the other directions the area is bordered by railway (south), canal (west) and highway (north). Beyond the canal and the highway there are polders.

The Goudse Poort is an important junction in the infrastructural network of Gouda. The main entrance road from the highway to the city runs through this area. Here, the traffic will be distributed to different parts of the city. The route to the village Waddinxveen runs also through this area.

Problems and vision There are a few problems in the Goudse Poort that have to be adressed.

The entrance of the city which is located here, has no identity. The Goudse Poort deals with a high rate of vacancy. At last, this area has to be better connected to the city. From all sides it is bordered which makes it a loose part of the city. Solutions for those problems will be integrated in this critical project.

When we take a look at our earlier shown vision, we see that those challenges are stated there as well. For the city it is important to improve the entrance. Therefore the Goudse Poort area must connected to the city in a physical and non-physical way. The vacancy of the office buildings has to be adressed and the historic landscape has to be restored to give the area identity.

The main focus in this project is on the entrance and the connections, the other challenges will be discussed along the way.

Aerial view of the Goudse Poort (L).

Fragment of the vision map (B).

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  58

Entrance

The first junction from the main exit.

Current entrance

Main entrance road with the two junctions (L).

Three highway exits with their entrance roads (A).

The first subject is the entrance of the city. There are three exits from the highway that lead to the city. For two of them, the cars need to follow a long road in order to get to the city. That’s why the third exit, the one at the Goudse Poort is used the most. So this is the main entrance of the city.

The entrance road bring to from the highway to two junctions. Those junctions will distribute the traffic to the different parts of Gouda or even to Waddinxveen or the Goudse Poort itselfs. Drivers make their decision to enter the city at those junctions, but it is not clear where the city is. There is no orientation point, which will give you directions. It is in the middle of an industrial and office area with no identity at all. This area is not attractive or inviting as well. The residential areas are further along the road, this is the actual city front.

To improve this entrance those problems have to be solved. Visitors to the city should be able to sense where the city is without signs. They should be invited by an entrance with identity.

north highway entrance road offices and industries residential area

59  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

entrance

Concept of the new city front (A).

Plan of the new entrance (R).

Concept The values previously mentioned need to be combined in a new entrance. The concept is to move the current city front towards the junctions. By doing this the junctions will be upgraded to a part of the city. This way the entrance is at those distributing junction, so it’s clear where the city is. When this new development is designed as an actual front, the entrance will be much more attractive and invite people to enter the city. It still needs to create its identity.

This approach is at the same time a way of dealing with the vacancy in the Goudse Poort. The current offices and industries inbetween the new and old city front has to be relocated. Otherwise the new city front will be a loose object, which means it has nothing to do with the city. By relocating the companies in this area to vacant buildings in the western part of the Goudse Poort, the office building stock will be reduced. When the building stock is reduced the vacancy will be reduced as well. Some offices and buildings need to remain at their current location, so they can contribute to the development of this new city front.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  60

Entrance New city front According to the concept the residential area is extended to the entrance road. There is still a small need of housing in Gouda, this makes a new residantial area welcome. This area is partly mixed with offices and public functions. The western part will be high-rise (max fifteen storeys), so an actual front will be created. The eastern part will be one family housing (max three storeys) conform to the existing Bloemendaal.

The front is moved back from the entrance road for two reasons. This create a spatial road. Not as before when the road was between two walls of offices and industries. The other reason is to create some distance between the road and the buildings.

It is now clear to visitors where the city is and where to go. While they take the last curve before the junctions, they will see the new city front on the other side of the water.

~ 45

Current buildings and their future

maintain

maintain function

relocate in goudse poort

The island You are probably wondering why this new residential area is an island.

In the vision we stated that we wanted to bring back some of the characteristic landscape of Gouda. When we look at the water10 structure of Gouda, there is water everywhere. Espacially in the nothern part, all the residential area are surrounded by small waterways. So these are actually all islands. This new residential area was partly also surrounded by water. Those waterways are widened to creat a real island. This way a new entrance is created with it’s own identity that relates to the characteristics of Gouda.

Current buildings

75

10

Waterstructure of Gouda

~25

north entrance road line of sight

8

15

4

Relation between the water, the island and the buildings. The narrowest part (A) and the city front (B).

There are building in the project area that have to be dealt with.

Some of them can be integrated in the plan, the ones that cannot will be demolished. The buildings which are integrated are new, recently renovated or have an important function; for example, a water pumping station, centric office, gasstation and a school. Some buildings have an important function for the new development but can’t be remained. These functions, which include some offices (purple), a bowling centre and an evangelical centre (orange), will be relocated in the new plan. In a new residential area these functions can contribute to a lively neighbourhood. The buildings and functions which can’t be used at all, will be moved to the western part of the Goudse Poort to reduce the vacancy. The image above shows the buildins and functions which will be maintained.

10

buffer

~ 45

building height high

Birds eye view of the new city front

medium low

10

75

10

61 Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

connections

Four neighbourhoods and four destinations on the other side.

Current situation The Goudse Poort is, as said, before the main entrance of the city.

All the car traffic is distributed through this area to the city and its surroundings. Therefore the car network is good, so we focus here on the slow traffic network (especially the bicycle).

On the east side of the Goudse Poort there are four neighbourhoods.

On the other sides of this area there are four destinations. So all the bicycle route cross this area. There is the village Waddinxveen in the northwest, the shops and offices in the Goudse Poort itselfs, the old city centre in the south and recreational area ‘t weegje in the east. All these destinations are accesable at the moment. The recreational area is actually difficult to reach because of the few river crossings (see on the right).

The main bicycle routes to all those destitation run along the main roads. There is a park and the new island to cross, but most the route run around those areas. The reason for this is simple, it’s shorter in the current network. There are shorter connections possible, it’s just that the four neighbourhoods are not well connected to routes through the park. The park is a divider at the moment.

north waddinxveen industries, offices and shops recreational area ‘t weegje residential area old centre

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city 62

Current bicycle network (A).

Canal crossings to the west (R).

connections

Concept green as connector (A).

Missing links and new routes (R).

Concept

As mentioned before, the main bicycle paths runs along the main roads. Therefore the park is actually a divider. People use it as a destination, but they mviss the opportunity of a green corridor. When the green will be used as a connector, the routes run through this park. As a result of this the routes to the destinations in the west will be shorter and rides get more pleasant. To make a network through the park, there are a few missing links. Especially the direct connection from the neighbourhoods to the park has to be improved.

When the connection across the canal will be realised, the recreational area on the other side can be part of the network. This crossing can be created along the current railway brigde. After this connection has been made, the network will be functional and recreational.

Missing links and new routes The missing links are showed in the image on the right. The four neighbourhoods on the east are all directly connected to the park or the island. So there is no need to take one of the main car roads.

When these four missing links are created there are three new routes.

The route to the old centre, to the west and to the recreational area.

Sometimes cyclists need to combine two routes in order to get to their destination, but they don’t have to cycle along the main roads. The new bridge connects the recreational area via a green corridor directly to the neighbourhoods.

missing link

route to west route to recreational area route to old centre 63  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

final plan scale 1:5000 north quay bicycle path existing buildings green water residential area

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  64

LAnd use PLan

legend scale 1:5000 north

PROJECT AREA BORDER

quay/ public space

Green/park

bicycle path

Sports

offices

Parking

school

INFRASTRUCTURE

gaspipe and safety zone

residential buildings till 50m

water

residential buildings till 25m

Green/ waterstorage

residential buildings till 10m 65  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

critical project checklist

1 2

exit highway and it’s surroundings Bicycle connection through the railzone Water storage

3

route from exit towards the center 5 dealing with vacancy in the goudse poort 6

area around the station

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  66

67  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  68

anne: the storage

69  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

the problem: gouda vs water Gouda is a city build on a peat soil. Some say that the city is build on water. Water is the city biggest friend and enemy in one. Because of the limited differences between ground - and water level, the city has fixed water levels for the canals , ditches and other surface waters.

In case of heavy rainfall, the water levels would rise, thereby the pomps will pomp harder to maintain the fixed water levels in the city. They pomp the water into the rivers. But in time of dry weather, there is a need of water to keep the soil wet and to minimum the declining of the soil. A solution that could cover both problems is to store the extra water elsewhere and to let it infiltrate slowly in the soil. Than the soil absorbs the amount of water that it needs and the water remains in the system instead to pomp it into the rivers to get rid of it.

street

water Vision map, detail rail zone

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  70

level

level

The municipality has calculated that they need an water storage of 5 hectares for the inner city and the polder Bloemendaal to cope with extra (rain) water in the area (source: watersysteembeschrijving. binnenstad.gouda.pdf ). In our vision we mentioned the rail zone as a possible area to create this water storage of 5 hectares.

Other things that were mentioned in the vision for the rail zone are better/ more physical connections, a new station area with public space and to connect the area better with the surrounding neighborhoods.

the problem: 10 october To address the problem, we look back at October 10th 2013. Heavy rainfall crossed the country and also reached Gouda. The news broadcast NOS wrote the following sentence on there website: ‘ In Gouda is de stationstunnel onder water gelopen....’ (In Gouda the station tunnel is flooded ...) Source: www.nos.nl Streets were flooded, basements were filled with water and the station tunnel was flooded. Especially the station tunnel is a crucial problem.

This road is a main artery to reach the inner city from the north side of the rails. When this road is blocked, there is a main road closed. This should not be possible.

In order to handle the problem, there is a need to catch and transport the water before in runs down the slopes into the tunnel. Catching the water at the junctions on both sides of the tunnel. And than transport the water to and other location where it can slowly infiltrate in the soil.

Bron: www.nufoto.nl

Bron: www.nufoto.nl

Water story: problem and solution 71 Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

the system: water and overflows The water is collected at the junctions and from there transported by a system of surface waters (existing and new), ponds, gutters and ditches, to the water storage area. From the surface water the water should be able to flow into the storage area.

waterlevel is raising waterlevel is raising

water isisflowing waterlevel raisingover to storage

waterlevel is raising: storage is water is over to storage inflowing full use

waterlevel waterlevel is ground raising is raising water ground water

waterlevel water is isflowing raising over to storage ground water ground water

waterlevel is raising: storage is water is flowing over to water storage ground water in ground full use

ground ground waterwater

The water level in the surface water system is raising. The storage ground level is lower than the average ground level in the area. This in order to limit the hight difference.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  72

ground ground water water

When the water level is rising even more, the water will reach the top of the small elevation, next to the surface water. The water will flow over into the storage.

ground water ground water

The water level in the storage can rise. When the water pressure on the surface water system is gone, the surface water level will get lower.

The storage will remain filled with water, during time the soil will adsorb the water slowly. And than the process can start again.

The problem with water storage is that it is not possible to store the water in the surface water, because of the fixed water levels in Gouda.

The pomps would pomp the water away, instead of keeping it into the local system. So we need to store on the ground itself. In order to keep the water in one place there is a need to make an elevation: a dike. But when the hight difference between the ground level of the storage and waterlevel is raising: storage is in full use the water level is to big, the water would need to be pumped into the storage area. And then the question rises if the city would benefit from waterlevel is raising: storage is ground water in fullmethod. use this storage There is a way toground storewater the water on the ground surface, and to store the water without pumping. The system is shown in tree steps of water levels.

The water system map is enlarged added to the attachments, attachment 1.

the concept In order to give the water system also a visual and physical function, there is a need for a design concept. How to treat the area, the water, the water storage, the rails itself etc.

The rails are fixed and form a large line in the landscape. Let this line, a ground body (dike) be the boss in the area. Other lines and structure will strengthen this line.

In the pole-surface concept of the vision is said that the pole and the surface are two separated elements. The rail zone is a pole of Gouda and because it is a separated, individual element, it needs it’s own identity which is different from the city.

railway: transport people and goods

water: water storage along the rails

north-south connections: bike and green

I want to use the landscape to give the zone it’s identity. Examples and area of inspiration is mentioned later in this portfolio.

The concept are horizontal lines that strengthen the length on the rails and vertical lines that connect north and south of the rail zone with each other.

the slow speed flows In order to work on the physical connections of the rail zone, I made an observation. When I was sitting on the north side of the station, I saw that all the people who wanted to cross the rails, had to take this one route: the station tunnel. There are two other options to cross, but they are not on the main route of people. On both sides of the station are many schools located. Primary, secondary and professional education.

All these persons need to take the tunnel as well when they need to cross the rails in their daily routine. The tunnel is frequently used, this puts more pressure on the tunnels well functioning.

In order to limit this pressure from cyclists and pedestrians, I suggest to create a new tunnel for slow speed only. To give the people an alternative route. This new tunnel will be integrated in the station area.

Slow speed flows: problem and solution 73  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

inspiration: the landscape Gouda is a city that is build on a peat soil. This soil is wet, like a swamp.

In order to cultivate this land, people made ditches in the soil. This digging, in combination with wind force and erodation of the soil creates a divers landscape of small islands with vegetation and water.

This idea finds it’s origin in a simple thought. During the second workshop, Idea generator, we had to draw down an idea or image that crossed our mind. I saw an image in my head that refer to a peat image, where the land is used for human activity.

The first image is in Gouda itself. On the south side of the rails, there is a small piece of landscape that shows how Gouda looked like. The other pictures are from the Reeuwijkse plassen, a recreational water next to Gouda, Boskoop, a peat village north west of Gouda and Nieuwkoop, famous of its lakes and landscape.

This divers landscape of small islands, land, water , vegetation and reed is the atmosphere and identity that I want to give tot the rail zone.

Gouda, south side of the rails

Nieuwkoop, peat village and landscape

Gouda, south side of the rails

Reeuwijkseplassen

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  74

Sketch from the workshop Idea Generator

the visual map: finding the design These two sketches are a part of my search to the correct translation from inspiration to visual design.

Sketch for the railzone

Sketch for the railzone 75  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

the visual map

The landscape is implemented in the rail zone. The zone feels like one area, where the train and the road cut trough. The water storage is located on the north side of the rails and is using the slope of the dike to create a boundary for the storage. The road is surrounded by water, small islands, reed vegetation, grass and higher vegetation like trees.

The road enters a wetland.

Instead of cycling next to the road, the path on the south side of the road is located on the dike that creates the other boundary for the storage. This dike is elevated above ground level and contains spots where the overflows are realized (these locations of overflow can be found in the system map). Cyclists cycle trough an area of grass feels, water, reed and birds.

The atmosphere of a calm landscape is created.

This map is enlarged added to the attachments, attachment 2.

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  76

Visual road

This is a detail of the design map

A visualization of the road trough the rail zone 77  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

40cm hight difference

ground level -1.8m NAP groundwater level -2.2m NAP

to prevent the storage area to tutch the ground water, a layer of 10cm soil needs to be on top of the groundwater. that makes a hight difference of 30cm available for digging

digging

available soil from digging

digging = level up!

soil Principal of using the soil in the water storage area

Location of the section

Section across the area from north to south, facing west Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  78

level up the soil

water storage is in use These images show the change in atmosphere when the storage is full is use. The grasslands of the storage is transformed into a field of water.

The cycle path crosses a land of water. The map below shows the top view perspective when the storage is full in use. The area feels more and more as one area, as a own identity, as an other world, a world of water and reed.

The water storage is empty, the grass is visible

The water storage is full in use. The dike cuts trough a water surface

79  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

the station area: finding the design

Reorder the route towards station. Separate traffic flows!

Using the water system as a surface element in the station zone. Make the water a part of the public space

Sketch for the station area. From the tracks towards the south

Sketch for the station area. From the tracks towards the south

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  80

Sketch for the station area. From the tracks towards the south

the station area In the story of the slow speed flows, i explained the necessary of a new slow speed tunnel. And this tunnel will be integrated in the new station area, jet to be designed.

The station building will be renewed, The beige block on the map will be the location of this new station building. In order to give the station more space and more freedom for users, some buildings will be sacrificed. The church will get a square in front that connects to the station square. Traffic flows will change. The bus station is relocated.

This results in a separation between slow and fast traffic that creates a safer station square. The green from the park will continue along the rails further to the east. The water gutter from the junction in the south will be an element in the public space that can guide people towards the station.

As a reference for the station square, the tunnel and the green the station square of Apeldoorn and an impression for the future station of Nijmegen is used. These station squares have a certain size and provide in the freedom of use. The square can become a public space in the city.

The station square of Apeldoorn www.destentor.nl

An impression of the new station square in Nijmegen www2.nijmegen.nl 81  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

land use map

This land use map shows in areas the structure of the zone. The paths and the location of the storage are fixed. Hight levels provide insight in the hight differences in the zone. The station area is still open for more detailed design.

The parking is picked out. The parking needs to be realized according to the principle, mentioned on the left. The purpose of this principle is that the parking does not detract from the water storing function of the area and to the identity of the zone.

The land use map is enlarged added to the attachments, attachment 3.

Principle of parking Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  82

1

exit highway and it’s surroundings

2

bicycle connection through the rail zone

3

water storage

4

route from exit towards the center

5

dealing with vacancy in the goudse poort

6

area around the station

83  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  84

shyreen: the square

85  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Introduction infrastructure

After making a vision as a group, we each had to choose a location for our individual projects. Keeping the vision and the critical projects in mind, I started drawing out the different morphological structures of the areas where our vision was based on, the Goudse poort and the railzone. By contextualising these areas, I started to grasp the true nature of an industrial area in a city. When i started drawing out the building blocks, the pattern of the blocks clearly went from finegrained in the residential areas to really rough grained in the industrial areas. When drawing out the infrastructure, the same conclusion can be made. On top of that, the infrastructure map clearly shows that a road is really the only border between residence and industry .

The square which i have chosen for my critical project seems to act as a bufferzone between the residential areas of Gouda and the industrial character of the Goudse poort. Instead of being a well-functioning area, the square suffers from vacancy and doesn’t have its own identity.

While it has some industries and offices, it also finds room for services for the entire city.

I thought for my personal project it would be interesting to see how I could solve some critical issues for the city of Gouda while at the same time look for a solution on how to give this square the rightful function and identity it should have for such a top-notch location. The challenge for this project was to see if I can take our concept for the city and apply it on a smaller scale. Can a place become stronger if the connections to its surroundings are made stronger?

buildingblocks

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  86

Current situation The most noticable imagery from my project is the fact that it forms almost a perfect square. This square is created mostly by big roads, which are part of the main infrastructure to enter the city of Gouda by car.

The Gouwe river plays a dominant role. The western and the southern border of my square are connected to the Gouwe. The water restricts the amounts of physical connections to the surrounding areas because it is still an important shipping route. The big rivers in Gouda are almost always met by big roads.

As you can see, the rails of the Gouda railway system go straight through the middle of the square, acting a a barrier between north and south just like it does in the city as a whole. In the square, the rails are splitted, causing a 3rd secluded zone to exist. The northern-, middleand southernzone hardly communicate with each other due to the lack of physical, functional and visual connections.

Currently, the square holds a threefold of functions: large-scaled industry, offices and creative industries, and services for the city. There is a moving trend occuring in the area. Large-scaled industry is slowly moving towards the noth-western part of the Goudse poort, where all the industry is gathered. Small-scaled offices are moving towards the city centre, except for the creative industries that cannot afford it. This causes a lot of vacancy in the area.

This combination of elements causes a lack of identity for the area. my mission for this project is to give this square a strong identity that adds to the city.

The problems that were portrayed in the city of Gouda, like the vancancy, the railway, roads and water acting as a barrier made us search for solutions in connections. Barriers can be accepted as such, as long as the connections that do exist and strong. The same approach was applied for this area. A concept was made for stronger functional and physical connections on three different scales: - The connection of the square with the city of Gouda - The connection of the square with the surrounding areas - The connection of the square with itself.

Large-scaled industry Offices/creative industry Services for the city 87  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Concept 1: Functional connections 1a

2a

1b

2b

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  88

Concept 1: Functional connections 3a

The first of the two important connections is the functional connection.

On 3 different scales, the square needs a stronger functional connection to have a stronger identity.

1. The functional connection of the square with the city of Gouda: a) Currently, the square doesn’t hold any special functions that the whole city and surroundings can use extensively. It has some smallscale services like a church and some services that dont request active use of the people like a fire station. b) By giving the square a function that is missing in the city, the city and its surroundings will visit the square extensively and bring liveliness back to the location. This way, the square will become part of Gouda.

2. The functional connection of the square with the surrounding areas: a) The location of the square is very special on a functional level, because it is in the middle of three different functions that do not connect with each other. The residential zones, industrial zones and recreational/green zones are currently scattered around the square. b) By connecting the different zones with each other inside the square, the square becomes a connecting element as a whole. The barriers surrounding the square will fade wihen the functions correspond with the functions in the surrounding areas.

3b

3. The functional connection of the square with itself: a) As discussed earlier, the barriers of the railzone seperate the square in a top, middle and bottom rectangle. This horizontal hierarchy causes a disconnection on a vertical level. b) By mixing the functions of the area in a vertical movement, north and south of the square are connected on a functional level.

Residential area Industrial/office area Green area 89  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Concept 2: Physical connection 1a

2a

1b

2b

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  90

Concept 2: Physical connection 3a

The second of the two important connections is the physical connection. On 3 different scales, the square needs a stronger physical connection to have a stronger identity and be accesible to the entire city.

1. The physical connection of the square with the city of Gouda: a) When coming from the highway and entering Gouda, the infrastructure consists of one big road moving from north to south, with some secondary roads to move van west to east. There aren’t many options to cross the railway and move from north to south.

Therefore, the current road is often too congested. b) To anchor the complete square in the infrastructure of the city, the last link to complete the square will be a tunnel under the rails which will take some pressure off the current road.

2. The physical connection of the square with the surrounding areas: a) If you look at the bicycle infrastructure, you see that all the bicycle infrastructure moves alongside the big roads surrounding the square and the other different zones. Zero connections are made with the recreational zone on the other side of the river. b) Inner bike connections need to be made from the square to the surrounding zones.

3b

3. The physical connection of the square with itself: a) Once again, you notice that the bike lanes are mainly on the main car roads. surrounding the square. Only one road with bike lanes inside the square moves from east to west. There is only one bicycle road from north to south and it has two dead ends. b) Stronger bicycle connections need to be made to soften the barrier of the railway. Bike roads from north to south of the square are needed, but also better inner square connections from east to west.

Car roads Bicycle roads New car connection New bike connection 91  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Specified research: Quality map To move from conceptual level to design, I mapped the qualities and the strengths of the area.

The biggest hidden quality lays in the area in between the railtracks of Gouda. Currently half an industrial area and half an isolated area of nature which you can only bike through, this place is one of the few places where it meets the river in Gouda in an open space instead of a big road. It gives a beautiful view of the opposite side, where the recreational area of ‘t Weegje lies. Currently, there aren’t any visual, functional or physical connections between those two sides of the river.

Our initial vision also discussed the strength of giving borders their own identity, being a seperate element in the city. By making the area inbetween the railtracks a seperate entity, its qualities are strengthened.

Relation with goudse poort

Connect to surrounding residential areas

Recreational area Water Stor a

Isolated green area

Main infrastructure

ind u ve ati

Cre

Goo d o f act ivi fice ty

Water

str y

Big industry Great view

ge

extend current residential areas A lot of water

New tunnel

Space fot a landmark

Water

To the south of Gouda

Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city 92

Specified research: Building typologies By playing along with the current trend that is going on in this area, I concluded that it is safe to assume that large-scaled industries and small offices will leave this area and can’t find their right environment in this area. What will remain is some middle-scaled industry and office buildings with some small scaled creative industry, together with the services for the city.

- Typical 3 story office building

- 4 story residential building

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«dutch Style» 6 appartments 3 stories Backside facing water

I researched the typology of the buildings that currently function well and fit in the trend, or buildings that can function well given the right oppertunities. These buildings are left in the area while the rest is demolished, to cope with the vacancy and make room for the functions that will give identity to the area.

The different typologies of the surrounding zones were also researched to be able to grasp the density and form on how the square should react to the surrounding areas.

- Well-functioning - 3 story - Bricks & glass - Very large office building - Statement building

- Trailercamp - Small creative industry - large mixed office building - connections used as terrace facing water

- Fire station - Service for the city - typical rowhouses - Church & police station - Services for the city

93 Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Final design: 1:5000 In the final deisgn, the concepts I have developed for the area are implemented and given a form. The buildings are illustrated in a density pattern to give an idea on the relative density of the area.

The three functions of residence, industry and recreational green were placed in the area, a new tunnel was made to cross the railway and a strong network of bicycle routes is realised to connect the area.

On the left, a land-use map is made to show the possibilities and the restrictions of the design.

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Residential area Industrial/office area Restaurants/pavilions Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city  94

Final design: Land use map

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residential area industrial area green water pavilions car roads bicycle lanes

outline of area

95  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

Final design: Implementation of concept 1a

2a

1. Building blocks: On the scale of the square itself, the functions of residence and industry correspond on a vertical level.

On the scale of the surrounding zones, you can see that the functions in the square itself correspond to the functions that surround it. In between the railtracks, a recreational area is created with cultural pavilions and restaurants which corresponds to the recreational area on the other side of the river. This also functions on the scale of Gouda since it gives Gouda a new recreational area that they currently don’t have.

2. Landscape: The extended recreational area in between the railtracks serves as a green are for all the scales. For the surrounding areas, you can see that an extension of green has been made to connect to the park in the north, and an extension of water has been made to connect to the river in the south. The park within the tracks has been extended to the west unti lthe waterfront so it can have a relationship with the water and the other side of the river.

1b

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2b

Final design: Implementation of concept 3a

4a

3. Car infrastructure: To serve the biggest scale of Gouda city, a new tunnel was added to connect north and south of the railtrack. Also, at the current crossing in between the railtracks on west, a service road was added so everyone passing can be able to enjoy the new recreational area which is extended to the waterfront.

4. Bicycle infrastructure: In the square itself, a new strong network of bicycle roads has been made, not only from north to south but also from east to west. These roads come together in the middle part, between the tracks. On the scale of the surrounding zones, the bicycle lanes have been extended to move into the different zones, making them more accessible . Now, instead of cycling along the big roads, seperate cycle roads are made for a better spacial experience.

3b

4b

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Final design: Section 1:500 Area potential

Area strength

Since the middle part of the square which lies between the railtracks plays such an important part in my design, I have decided to make a more detailed map of this area, to show how it could function. The map shows the extension that was made to the waterfront, removing the industrial buildings and making room for a secluded recreational area where restaurants, cultural pavilions and greenery is combined.

By creating beautiful views over the water, the people of the city of Gouda can come here to dine with beautiful scenery or enjoy the seclusion of this area.

Cycling lanes are made around the entire area to make it accessible. two entrances from the north, 2 from the south and two from the west.

Alongside the waterfront, a biking lane is created as a connection to Waddinxveen in the North-west. Also, using the height of the railtracks (see section) a bike lae was created along the track to be able to pass to the other side of the river.

Cars can acces the area from the main road, the entrance of the city. to the west there is a service road where they can stop for a short time to enjoy the view or have a small picnic in the grass. to the east they can enter the area an use a parking lot for long stops and eat at a restaurant or spend a recreative day in the area.

Section

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Final design: Detailed map 1:2000

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99  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

New function for the city = connected to the city

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Critical projects & evaluation

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exit highway and it’s surroundings

Bicycle connection through the railzone

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Water storage

route from exit towards the center

Taking a step back and returning to the vision, we can see that my project tackled three important citical project to help make the connections in Gouda stronger.

The first critical project I handled is the bicycle connection through the railzone. Not only did I create more connections to pass through the railzone, I created an esthetic area where passing becomes an experience instead of just passing through. While people are passing the railzone, they can experience the special identity of the railzone.

The second project is the route from the highway exit towards the centre. Firstly, I took some pressure off the current route by making an extra tunnel to pass through the railway, relieving the intesity of the current passageway. This current passageway got an extra servie road which is connected to the new green area which extends to the waterfront.

Finally, I looked at the current trends and shifts in the industrial areas in the Goudse poort and surroundings, and used those trends to create better environments for the right type of industry.

I would have liked to do more elaborate research on vacancies in modern industrial areas and how to deal with them. If i had more time, I would have liked to go one step further with my design to test a couple of things, like the densities and form of the different functions added.

All in all, I am satisfied with the work I have done and am grateful for my group. Together, we were a hard-working and motivated group that helped each other.

dealing with vacancy in the goudse poort

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area around the station

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5 adapted vision

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The disconnected city When we take a step back and look at the different starting points for our design, we conclude that the city of Gouda is disconnected from itself, and especially at the region we wanted to improve after the intial vision, namely the Goudse Poort and the railzone. This is extra problematic due to the fact that those areas contain the entrances for the city.

Maurice expresses this disconnection in the main road which enters Gouda from the highway. There aren’t any characteristics or functions of Gouda at that road which indicate that you have entered the city.

Onno discusses this disconnection in his story about the front of the city. This front of the city does not align with the entrance of the city and therefore the Goudse Poort does not feel like an entrance.

Anne handled the railzone which is currently a huge barrier that passes through Gouda. It divides the north from the south (especially at the industrial area) due to the limited number of passageways.

Shyreen analysed the square of land where the Goudse Poort and the railzone come together. This square currently has no identity due to the mix of industrial functions, while it should be the most important connector between the north and the south of Gouda on a smaller scale.

By addressing these critical connection issues on a smaller scale than the entire city, stronger connections were made to stregthen the city.

When putting together the plans of our cirtical projects, a certain similarity of connections were found. These were categorised and lead to three different maps : Spacial connections, physical connections and functional connections.

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The spatial connection The first common connection we concluded for our adjusted vision was the spatial connection. By giving the entrances of Gouda their own spatial identity, they can become entities of their own which slowly diffuse into the city. By doing this, a strong entrance for the city can be realised.

To make sure the entrances achieve their own spatial identity, certain elements were added by different group members to accentuate it.

These elements mostly include some characteristics of Gouda, like greenery and water.

1. The main entrance of the city is given a wider profile with more green and trees to give it a more open character.

2. A gasstation is given a more public function by adding more than just a gasstation. Think of functions like a supermarket, lunchroom or other functions for the employees of the Goudse Poort.

3. This area defines the new openness of the city front. By connecting the road with the park, it opens the view to the city.

4. An island with a large ring of water is formed at the new front of the city to give the road a large spatial entrance created from water.

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5. A connection to the waterfront is made from the spatial zone in between the rails. By combining dining with green and water, a new recreational spatial function is created.

6. The railzone is accepted as a seperate element in the city. By giving it a seperate function which is needed for the city (the water storage), it’s spatial identity is strenghtened.

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The physical connection When connecting a city on different levels, connecting on a physical level often has the biggest impact on the city. New physical connections for cars and for bikes is necessary, not only to connect the north of Gouda with the south, but also to connect all the different zones surrounding the Goudse Poort and the railway with each other.

Car roads: By creating a third tunnel under the rails, a new vertical hierarchy of roads is formed. By making these roads the most important roads in Gouda, the horizontal movements of cars is the secondary structure which supports this system. This vertical hierarchy is important to make sure the north and the south of Gouda can be connected again.

If you enter Gouda, of course the vertical road that is connected to the highway has the biggest priority. From there, the horizontal roads which intersect with said road are once again the secondary structure which help connect the city from the entrance.

Bike roads: A complete new network of bikes needs to be created to connect different neighbourhoods. To make the Goudse poort a part of Gouda, the heart of the new biking network will be located in the middle of the Goudse poort. Not only are the old residential zones connected with each other, this network allows for strong bikingconnections through the railzone, connecting from north to south. The most important route this network has created is the one connecting the entire city of gouda to the recreational area of ‘t Weegje, on the other side of the water. By using the height of the rails passing over the water, a biking road is created to reach the other side.

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The functional connection By giving the area of the Goudse Poort and the railzone functions that are missing or misplaced in the entire city of Gouda, these areas become an integrated part of the city.

Three different functions were added to the area: A new city front, a place for water storage and a recreational area which is connected to the waterfront.

d Ol

The new city front: Currently, the entrance of the city and the front of the city are not connected to each other. by moving the city front alongside of the main road to enter Gouda, the entrance to the city is made stronger.

Ci ty

on fr t

Water storage: Currently, Gouda does not have a system where water can be stored and taken into the ground slowly. Since there is almost no difference between ground level and water level, such a function is needed with great urgency. Floods are a recurring problem in Gouda.

By giving the railzone a function of storange, these floods will be an item of the past.

nt ty fro New Ci

Recreational area connected to waterfront: Never in Gouda is there a recreational conneciton with the waterfront. While the waterfront has such an important historic role in Gouda, this role does not play any part in the current situation of Gouda.

By combining park recreation with dining recreation, a new area is created where people can enjoy the area itself, the waterfront and the beautiful scenery at the other side of the water.

water stor age r a e a l c a o n n o nected i reat erfront Rec t a w to

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The adapted vision By combining the spatial, the physical and the functional connections of the Goudse poort and the railzone with the city of Gouda, the adapted vision is complete. If all these elements are implemented in this area, not only does this area become better connected with Gouda, but Gouda itself becomes a better whole because the entrances are stronger. With the conclusion that strong connections make a stronger city, the zipper which is opened can be closed, and Gouda can be a united city once again.

New City front water stor age r a e a l c a o n nnected io reat erfront Rec t a w to

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the city is connected

strong connections make a strong city 109  Gouda: the story of reconnecting the city

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