UPDATES
RCD UP 2 DATE There’s no lack of urban renewal and development in Rotterdam Central District. On this page, we keep you up to date with the most important news about the place you work, live or come to visit.
SCHIEKADEBLOK URBAN PLAN Rotterdam’s ambition for the development of the Schiekadeblok is to create a lively, densely built and mixed urban hub that retains its unique character in terms of programming and public space. The recently adopted urban development
© De Urbanisten
plan illustrates what this might look like. The plan centres on integrating reconstruction-era and modern buildings around
HOFBOGENPARK DRAFT DESIGN
a green urban meeting place, and on harnessing the area’s intrinsic qualities to amplify each other. The next step in the
R C D
process is adoption of the zoning plan, which is expected to become available for public inspection in March 2022. For
In about two years we’ll be able to walk amid
more information, visit: rotterdam.nl/schiekadeblok.
lush greenery from the Hofplein station all the
15
way to the A20 motorway, in a new urban park © KCAP
being created along the almost two-kilometre roof of the old railway viaduct. Hofbogenpark
M A G A Z I N E
is being conceived as an inviting place for area residents and visitors to come together and keep fit in nature. The planting itself will encourage a wider diversity of animal life and have a cooling effect on hot days, while also helping to prevent flooding and drought. All these factors will support the city’s adaptation to a changing climate. To see the draft design, visit: rotterdam.nl/Hofbogenpark.
The Luchtsingel – Dutch for ‘air bridge’ – may well be Rotterdam’s best known pedestrian walkway. With its distinctive bright yellow colour, this winner of Rotterdam’s first urban initiative became an instant attraction. Currently, the Municipality is exploring options for the future of this landmark, which was originally built in 2012-2014 as a temporary structure for ten years. This year, the Municipality will assess how long the Luchtsingel can responsibly and safely stay up. It will also work out scenarios for the bridge’s partial or full replacement with a new raised walkway. With the opening of the Hofbogenpark and developments such as ZOHO and the Schiekadeblok, traffic across the Luchtsingel is only expected to increase further in future.
© Iris van den Broek
LUCHTSINGEL FUTURE
