2021
PO RT FO L IO
Landscape Architecture and Urban Design
Vera Wetzels
in
linkedin.com/in/vera-wetzels/ 06 15698323 vera.wetzels@gmail.com Amsterdam, the Netherlands
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
CURRICULUM VITAE
[TO] HARBOUR
INVÍKORATE
DUJIANGYAN - DO IT AGAIN
ZONNEWIJZER
THE GREEN LINK
EN-TREE
01
CURRICULUM VITAE EDUCATION Master in Sustainable Urban Design Lund University, Sweden
From 03-09-2018 to present
Bachelor in Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning Wageningen University, The Netherlands
From 01-09-2014 to 31-08-2017
Bachelor exchange program in Estonia Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia
From 22-08-2016 to 23-12-2016
High school Gymnasium level CSG Calvijn Groene Hart, The Netherlands CSG Calvijn Vreewijk, The Netherlands
From 01-09-2008 to 31-05-2014
SKILLS Software AutoCAD InDesign Photoshop Illustrator Sketchup QGIS ENVI-MET Microsoft Office Premiere Pro
Languages Dutch (fluent) English (fluent)
Other skills Hand drawing Model making Photography
WORK EXPERIENCE Hogeschool van Amsterdam - junior researcher landscape architecture and urban design Amsterdam, The Netherlands
From 01-07-2020 to present
Urban Synergy - intern Rotterdam, The Netherlands
From 11-06-2019 to 23-08-2019
VOLUNTEERING Introduction days of Wageningen University: helping with different tasks at the Annual Introduction Days of Wageningen University Buddy mentor at Wageningen University: being a buddy mentor for a semester for new international students at Wageningen University Promotion video for youth association: being in charge of the main promotion video of 2016 for youth association Unitas Wageningen Security at festivals: volunteering as a guard at multiple festivals (Paaspop and Festyland) Prom committee for study association: organizing the prom for the landscape architecture study association ‘Genius Loci’ Volunteer for children with intellectual disability: helping at a funfair and the ‘Saint Nicholas celebration’ at the Schreuderschool in Rotterdam Open day of high school: informing potential new students at the open day of my high school CSG Calvijn
02
[TO] HARBOUR
In the south of Sweden is the city Ystad, once lively and full of business at the waterfront, which has now turned into a concrete missed opportunity. [To] Harbour is a project that combines both meanings of the word ‘harbour’. By creating a system of high and low courtyards, the new waterfront area of Ystad will flourish with life again, while being protected from future sea level rise.
Main Square
Sankta Maria Church
Theatre
360 ° Cinema Continuous Dyke System
Flexib Sq
Marina Marshlands
Walled Warehouse Garden
A’
A
Silos, Art, Creative Reuse
ble Main quare
HARBOUR /’ha:be/ noun 1. a place on the coast where ships may moor in shelter, especially one protected from rough water by piers, jetties, and other artificial structures. 1.1 a place of refuge.
HARBOURING PEOPLE, FLORA, FAUNA AND IDENTITY
verb 1. give a home or shelter to.
Train Station
Naturum
Parking House
Food Hall
Transformed Ferry
, Public Ferry Bridges
BALANCING HARD AND SOFT SURFACES
B’
The high courtyards are a part of the dyke system that will protect Ystad from the sea. These high courtyards provide space for football, basketball and other physical activities. The low courtyards consist of wetlands, which create great opportunities for the increase in biodiversity. It also functions as a recreational area and a pleasant living environment, by adding a diverse selection of boardwalks to the wetlands and therefore making them accessible.
B
HIGH COURTYARDS
A
6
4
15
6
5
16.5
12.5
5.5
4
4.5
A’
LOW COURTYARDS
B
20
22
12
4
9
13
12
4 2
5
6
B’
This wetland system strongly shows seasonal changes, natural processes and fluctuating water situations. Together with the green roofs it functions as the sponge of the area, which slows down water flows and creates space for water to infiltrate, giving life back to the area. ‘The harbour that harbours’ as I like to call it.
HARD AND SOFT
Green roof Permeable surfaces Hard surfaces
HIGH AND LOW SYSTEM
Dyke High courtyard Low courtyard
PUBLIC - PRIVATE
Public Semi Private Private
PUBLIC SPACE SYSTEM
1 1: Marshland 2: Walled Warehouse Garden 3: Silo Park 4: Main Square 5: Waiting Lines 6: Local Park
BUILDING HEIGHTS
Floors
2 3 4 5 6 7 >7
5
4
6
2 3
Many iconic buildings and structures of the existing harbour will remain intact and will be given a new function. An example of this is the warehouse garden (below), where the roof of the existing warehouse will be taken off in order to create a walled garden. This garden is a part of the big structure of public spaces. Each public space has its own strong identity, providing options for everyone to choose from. This way the public spaces will give back to not only the waterfront area, but to the whole city of Ystad.
03 INVÍKORATE
In a rapidly urbanising world, the importance of rural towns and villages is often forgotten. Many people see more opportunities for employment, social life and their children’s future in the big city, leaving smaller, rural places
empty and abandoned. This Mýrdal. In order to achieve this, process of rapid urbanisation the concept of self-sufficiency can in the long run result in as well as its possibilities the loss of many valuable for the village are explored. villages, along with their local Additionally, the geographical, community and the traditions economical, ecological, and aspects of the local culture social, historical and physical they have kept intact over time. background of the village This thesis project emphasises were looked into, resulting in Akureyri Population: 18.775 on the necessity and an urban design proposal for possibilities to provide diverse Vík, that focuses on local food opportunities for the future of production, walkability, climateAkureyri Population: 18.775 a currently tourist-dependent responsive housing and small Icelandic village, called Vík í business opportunities.
ICELAND
Spread out tourist flow (in time and space)
kranes
ulation: 7.525
Reykjavík & capital region Population: 228.660
ær
AkranesSelfoss Population: 8.624 Population: 7.525 Reykjavík & capital region
Invest in a diversity of
economic sectors
Population: 228.660
Reykjanesbær Population: 19.311 Vestmannaeyjar
ReykjavíkSelfoss Population: 8.624
Population: 4.355
2,5
Total population of Iceland: 364.134 Support local ho
urs
Vestmannaeyjar Population: 4.355
Vík
communities
Total population of Iceland: 364.134
SWOT-ANALYSIS VÍK Í MÝRDAL Strengths:
Weaknesses:
• Dramatic landscape • Picturesque church • Black beach • Calm village environment • Good location on south coast • Stream • Hiking trails • Local businesses • Renewable energy
• Tourist-dependent • Erosion • Supermarket area as main stop • Buildings in evacuation zone • Tourists doing a quick stop
SWOT
Opportunities:
Threats:
• Economic diversification • Main square • New housing • Connecting Vík as a whole • Katla eruption • Farming history • Forestry • Pool
• Decline in tourists • Road closures • Further coastal erosion • Katla eruption
During this Master thesis, I combined a literature study, site visit, interviews and a reference project analysis to ensure a complete understanding of the place and its possibilities. Iceland is located on the MidAtlantic ridge, which makes for a very volcanic landscape with unique natural phenomena all around the country. These natural wonders attract many visitors each year, with 1,55 million tourists in 2016 alone. However, tourism is past its peak and expected to decline further. Iceland, and especially smaller communities, need to make new plans for the future when their biggest source of income might not be reliable anymore.
VÍK: CURRENT SITUATION
Hotels/guesthouses Services Industries Homes/other buildings Parking
0
100
200
300
400 m
Monocultural economy
Diverse, resilient economy
Demand for housing
Response to housing demand
Lack of clear pedestrian connections Strategic stop on the south coast
Easy to walk around B A
A destination
The design poposal for Vík focuses on self-sufficiency, walkability, forestry and weather resistance. Some important aspects that can be found in multiple places within the design are creating a typology of indoor and outdoor public spaces, connecting the production of food back into the village and improving pedestrian and traffic safety. The food production will mostly take place in a special type of greenhouse that functions well in the Icelandic setting. The new neighbourhood in the northeast will blend in with the rest of the village and promotes the new or current residents that will move in to mix with the existing local community. Many new spaces for businesses are created, accompanied by a central indoor market street where people from the municipality can rent small shops to sell and promote their products.
MAIN SQUARE IN SUMMER
To improve walkability in a car-focused village, a main square was created which functions as a starting point for visitors who arrive in Vík, and a meeting spot for locals as well as tourists. The street layout of the southern part of the village was transformed into one-way traffic, to create more space and safety for pedestrians, slow down traffic and provide parralel parking. This makes the big
MAIN SQUARE IN WINTER
Dream guesthouse Vík
ARCADE WITH BOUTIQUES AND POCKET PARK
The Soup Company Arcade
Icelandic Lava Show
Indoor pocket park
parking lot at the supermarket not the main arrival point of the village anymore. From the main square, logical, visual and spatial connections were made.
CURRENT STREET LAYOUT
NEW STREET LAYOUT
Main crossing towards
Prototype greenhouse home
Snow mound (winter) Seasonal square
Fireplace
Bus stop
Town hall
Path towards beach
Boutiques etc.
0
10
20
30
40 m
Sun
Sun
Rainwater collection
Geothermal heating
Geothermal heating
Sheep farm with tours
Florist Tomato farmers
1:300
Paprika farmer
Shared shed
Apartments Hobby gardeners
Cafe Furniture swap Local supermarket
Greenhouse restaurant
Boutiques & apartments Aquaponic greenhouse experiment
0
10
20
30
40 m
Butte
erfly keepers
SOLAR ANALYSIS: MARCH EQUINOX
20-3 at 9:00
The main building development takes place in north-Vík, where a new productive and climateresilient neighbourhood blends in with the character of the rest of the village. The design focuses on optimal wind protection and sun exposure, the latter being necessary for the greenhouse homes. These greenhouses are heated by Iceland’s geothermal energy, and connected to houses for heat retention and gardening functions.
B&B attached to owner’s home
20-3 at 18:00
20-3 at 15:00
20-3 at 12:00
Sheep & horse pasture
04 DUJIANGYAN DO IT AGAIN
Surrounded by impressive mountains on one side and the best agricultural grounds of the region on the other, Dujiangyan has strong qualities of its unique location and history. With a fully functioning 2000-year old irrigation system and views to the surrounding mountains and important temples, the past of this city still plays a big role up to this day. Dujiangyan is modernising and expanding rapidly like many other Chinese cities. This project focuses on new opportunities to turn the current cluttered gap in Dujiangyan’s central cityscape into a neighborhood that respects the past and future of the site.
QUALITIES OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE CITIES Accommodating for (spontaneous) staying and meeting
Integrating surrounding landscape into the city
Attention to detail and human scale
Coherent, recognisable city layout, easy wayfinding
Respect for privacy
Great microclimate
Over the centuries, the use and functions of public space and spatial layout of cities in China have changed drastically, especially during the rapid urban expansion of the last century. Apart from the loss of detail from rapid urbanization projects, another threat to Dujiangyan is the changing climate. On this location in particular, rainfall will most likely become more infrequent and more intense. Floods caused by stormwater will have a big impact on the city if no action will be taken with these threats in mind.
Commercial Residential Mixed use Public Factory
CONCEPT
Ancient China with a modern jacket
• Main connection between train station, old centre and new park • Small, dense blocks with relatively low building heights to retain the strength of a neighborhood feeling
Slow and local life
• Park connecting to hydropower plant: educational centre • Maintaining views to mountains and temple
Connected to the surrounding landscape
• Orthogonal small scale street grid following the shape of the river
A neighborhood with the same public space qualities as ancient Chinese cities, that simultaneously responds to the needs of 21st century China
The design focuses on small scale streetscapes inspired by traditional Chinese cities, with building cutouts on many corners and other places to provide space for permanent and temporary businesses to settle. The small scale streetscape promotes to move around by foot and the local businesses will strengthen meeting spots and the community feeling. The city centre lacks a bigger open green space where people can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and informal activities can take place.
Existing, demolished and new buildings
Building heights Floors >7 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Street types Surrounding roads Main roads Shared streets Swale paths Hutongs
Sustainable drainage system
0
50
100
150
200 m
Images of traditional street types:
1. MAIN ROADS
2. SHARED STREETS 3. SWALE PATHS
4. HUTONGS
0
10
20 30 40 m
NOW
1. MAIN ROADS
THEN
2,6 4 6 4 Meeting Strolling Main access Local friends road/cycling shopping
2,5 1,6 Local Mini front transport porch
1 3,5 2,5 1 Mini front Shared Parking porch street spaces/ greenery
3. SWALE PATHS
2. SHARED STREETS
1 1 7 1 1 Trading/ Transportation Buying meeting of goods
4 Trading
4. HUTONGS
15 Transportation of goods
3,5 4 2 Swale Strolling/ resting/ enjoying Local businesses
4 Daily life
6 Daily life
4 Space for market stalls
05
GELDERSE VALLEY: ESTATE ZONE
ZONNEWIJZER
During my internship at Urban Synergy, one of the projects I worked on with my colleagues was the ZonneWIJzer. It is an in-depth handbook about integrating solar energy into the different landscape types of the Dutch province Gelderland. The landscapes are described and analyzed into detail and multiple options (if possible) are given on how to integrate this into the specific landscape type. Also topics like mixing different landscape uses with solar panels and the technicalities of solar panel setups are discussed.
As one example of the 24 different zones that are explored in the full document, the solar energy opportunities for the ‘estate zone’ in the Gelderse Valley are discussed. The full document (in Dutch) can be found here: ZonneWIJzer
The Gelderse Valley is characterized by a variety of forests, open fields and strips of higher vegetation. It contains many estates, villas and castles, surrounded by denser vegetation and small channels. In between these spaces you can find agricultural fields, heath landscapes and fens.
Randmeerkust
Veluwe Gelderse Vallei Achterhoek
Rivierenland Rijk van Nijmegen
Montferland
1. Solar field on an open agricultural field and/or meadow surrounded by densely vegetated edges 2. Creating a new enclosed field 3. Creating a new half-open field
2
SERIES OF SECLUDED SOLAR FIELDS 1
3
ENERGY ESTATE
Establishing an ‘energy estate’ by using the enclaves of a carefully selected estate.
ZonneWIJzer Landgoederenzone FOREST DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TEMPORARY Landschappelijke bouwstenen (vervolg) SOLAR FIELD De individuele velden kunnen samen een grote opstelling vormen. Belangrijk daarbij is dat zorgvuldig bepaald moet worden welke landgoederen zich hier voor lenen en bij welke landgoederen het huidige landschap behouden moet worden. Het toevoegen van nieuwe kamers biedt kans om verdwenen landschapselementen terug te brengen en daarmee de kleinschaligheid in het landschap. Dit biedt tevens kansen voor de toekomst van het landgoed als de zonnevelden over 15-20 jaar weer verdwijnen, maar de landschappelijke structuren volgroeid zijn en behouden worden.
Meekoppelkansen • agrarisch medegebruik
van wandel- en fietsnet-
tussen lage stellages in de
werk; en/of toevoegen
halfopen delen; en tussen
van educatieve functie,
lage, onder middelhoge,
bijvoorbeeld over cultuur-
onder hoge of tussen
historie en landgoederen
verticale opstellingen in de besloten delen
HEATH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH (TEMPORARY) SOLAR FIELD • recreatief medege-
ontwikkeling • combinatie met waterberging, bijvoorbeeld door
bruik door creëren van
aansluiten op beken of
verblijfsplekken; verster-
vennen
king en/of toevoeging
22
Temporary vertical solar panels with space for forest development in between
ZonneWIJzer Landgoederenzone
Bosontwikkeling met een tijdelijk zonneveld Bosontwikkeling binnen de agrarische enclave biedt kansen om het historische landschap beter zichtbaar en leesbaar te bouwstenen maken en afwisseling Landschappelijke (vervolg) tussen open en besloten delen te versterken. Tevens draagt dit bij aan de ecologische waarde van het gebied. Tijdelijke zonnevelden kunnen mogelijk een aanjager zijn voor de bosontwikkeling. Een verticale opstelling is hiervoor het meest geschikt omdat deze een minimale schaduwwerking heeft en voldoende ruimte over laat voor de bomen om te groeien. Het zonneveld is tijdelijk, omdat bij het volwassen worden van de bomen, deze te veel schaduw op de panelen werpen.
lijk is. Principe bosontwikkeling
Vertical solar panels with space for heath landscape development in between Meekoppelkansen
• recreatief medegebruik
functies, bijvoorbeeld
door versterking en/of
over cultuurhistorie en
toevoeging van wandel- en fietsnetwerk; en/of door
natuurontwikkeling
• productie van biomassa
toevoegen van educatieve
Heideontwikkeling door (tijdelijk) zonneveld Kleinschalige heideontwikkeling biedt kansen om het historisch landschap zichtbaar en leesbaar te maken en bij te dragen aan natuurontwikkeling. Tijdelijke zonnevelden kunnen hiervoor mogelijk een aanjager zijn. Een verticale opstelling is hier naar verwachting het meest optimaal voor de heideontwikkeling, door beperkte schaduwwerking. Een zuidopstelling zou waarschijnlijk ook kunnen en is het meest optimaal voor de energieopbrengst, maar zorgt wel voor meer schaduw op de ondergrond. Voordeel is dat schapen (die vergrassing tegengaan) onder de opstelling kunnen schuilen en er geen ander bouwwerk als schuilmogelijkheid nodig is. Het zonneveld is tijdelijk, omdat een hoge opstelling in het open heidelanschap landschappelijk (en voor de uiteindelijke heidegroei) niet wense-
23
Gelderse Vallei
Principes heideontwikkeling Meekoppelkansen • recreatief medegebruik door versterking en/of toevoeging van wandel- en fietsnetwerk; en/of door toevoegen van educatieve
functie, bijvoorbeeld over cultuurhistorie en natuurontwikkeling • productie van biomassa van heide
G
06 THE GREEN LINK
The Green Link is the product of a group project (Adam Wojcik, Anton Johansson, Sara Ebrahimi) for Citadellsfogen in
Malmö. During this course the goal was to make a climatesmart urban design using tools to analyze solar access, wind protection and solar panel potential. Apart from this the design should meet the location specific needs and form a valuable new development within the city. Located between recreational, cultural, commercial and
residential functions, Citadellsfogen is a crucial link between these areas. The Green Link creates the possibility for a more pleasant cycling connection between recreational areas and the train station. By designing a swale, greenery can go into the cityscape and students and residents within Citadellsfogen can both enjoy the qualities that this will bring to the area.
GREEN AND BLUE
LAND USE
VEHICULAR ROAD CONDITIONS
CYCLING PATHS
BUS LINES
GREEN AND BLUE
MAIN FLOWS Courtyard with private gardens
BUILDING HEIGHTS
Park Swale with boardwalks
MEETING PLACES
Dense trees breaking the wind
BUILDING FUNCTIONS
Bike connection to central station
Community garden
Food places and outdoor seating
Main schoolyard
3D-PRINTED MODEL
School
Bus stop
The image below shows the potential for the efficiency of solar panels on the roofs. Red shows maximum, yellow shows good and green shows acceptable energy production. Solar panels on flat roofs can be tilted to maximize the energy production.
SOLAR PANEL EFFICIENCY POTENTIAL
By analyzing the solar access in the courtyards and streets of the project (right), we could make changes to the building heights, distances and roofscapes to allow for more sunlight to reach into the area.
SUNLIGHT HOURS ANALYSIS - EQUINOX
WIND ANALYSIS - W WIND
WIND ANALYSIS - SW WIND
Using the program CFD we conducted several wind analyses to find the best possible building layout for protection against the two most common wind directions in this location. The more open area over the swale shows a problematic area, but this can be partly solved by planting dense evergreen trees at the western side of the project area.
07 EN-TREE
En-tree is a regional project in the north-eastern part of the province Groningen, that will revive the area in terms of natural and recreational qualities. This is done through a big structure where natural development is promoted. In the north this is in the shape of nature-friendly banks for the ditches. In the south nature development and wood production will happen through a variety of woodlands. The natural structure connects the historically and recreationally interesting places and provides clear routes through the landscape. The main element that provides movement through the natural structure is water. Many new possibilities for small businesses will appear.
CONNECTING HIGHLIGHTS through a big structure of interconnected waterways, focusing on water transportation as the main type of transportation. Water transportation can be in the form of canoes, sailboats, whistle boats, small motorboats and tourboats. The water structure connects the historically and recreationally interesting spots of the region.
Existing water(ways) New water(ways)
CONNECTING NATURE
MAXIMIZING LIVELINESS
through a forest structure that focuses on nature development and wood production. The new forest adds up to the vision of Staatsbosbeheer to plant 100.000 ha of forest in the upcoming three decennia. One of the goal areas for this plan are the peat colonies in Groningen.
by finding the most suitable types of forest for the different soil types of the area. The various types of forest (dense/open, natural/ production, coniferous/deciduous, wet/dry, etc.) alternate eachother while you move through the waterways, creating a new experience every few minutes.
Sea clay Peat "Moerig" New forest
Sand
Existing forest
Humus podzol
Parklike beech-oak forest (rich park, flowing paths)
Natural beech-oak forest (rich forest, thick trees)
Fruit production forest (low trees, dense, food)
Fruit orchard (straight lines, open)
Swamp forest
Water
River flooded forest
Small harbour
(wet, dense, mysterious)
(partly submerged, dense)
Natural willow-popular forest (thin trees, semi-open)
Willow production forest (straight lines, low trees)
Poplar production forest (straight lines, very open)
Canal Ditch Stream
Natural pine forest
Big ditch with nature friendly banks - main route
Pine production forest
Ditch with nature friendly banks - side route
Existing forests (in the north)
Recreational/touristic/ historical highlights
(dense, dark, open understory)
(straight lines, very dense)
("dorpsbosjes")
0
1
2
3
4 km
Small ditch with nature friendly banks
2m
2m
5,5 m
Agricultural Nature friendly banks (herbs, insects, land amphibians)
Space for canoes
5,5 m
2m
1:200
Nature friendly banks Agricultural (herbs, insects, land amphibians)
Canal through willow wood production forest
3,5 m
8m
1m
1m
1:200
Walking Willow wood path production
Canal
Willow wood Cycling path production
3,5 m
Ruiten-Aa stream through river flooded forest ("ooibos")
2m
8m
Walking path
Ruiten-Aa stream
13 m
1:400
Floodable natural forest (Salix alba, Salix fragilis, Populus nigra)
Natural pine forest with open space around canal
1:400 11 m
2m
Natural pine forest Cycling (Pseudotsuga menziesii) path
8m Canal
2m
11 m
Walking Dense canopy, dark path forest, open understory
In the Groninger museum, located in the city of Groningen, is a department specifically dedicated to the history of the province Groningen. At that department, En-tree will be promoted as the perfect opportunity to experience this history in real life. From the museum, people can move to En-tree by the new boat connection. The museum is located next to the water, which forms an easy connection with the waterway structure that will lead the visitors through En-tree. All this will result in a bigger amount of people visiting the area. There will be more opportunities for small businesses, like bed and breakfasts, canoe rent, restaurants and so on. These businesses could be started in the heritage farms, which provides income for the maintenance of these farms.
In the village of Oude Pekela, the forest structure crosses the already existing typical ‘ribbon village’. The new canal in the forest structure crosses the existing canal of Oude Pekela. When arriving from the forest structure, people can choose to go through the village for a new experience, or to keep going through the forest structure and enjoy the relaxing boat ride through nature even longer.
Before
With the new forest right at their doorstep, the residents of Oude Pekela now have a great opportunity to go straight into nature for a relaxing walk.
After
VW