If a plot at the edge of the city centre becomes available it’s a great opportunity to rethink not only the potential of the centre itself, but alo its access. The traffic circulation and appearance for te people arriving (and departing) by public transport, car or bike.
So where does an inner city start? How do you appropriately approach the historic nucleus while giving a glimpse of its urban, green and blue qualities? When do know that you have arrived, that you are ‘here’?
Together with urbanist Rocco Reukema we developed a green and treelined urban boulevard for approaching Zaanstad city centre, framed by buildings for working, living in the upper floors and amenities on the ground floor.
Along the route there is this special urban setting where the river comes close, and a couple of formerly industrial canals can potentially frame a new open public space, Where there is low quality non-places today you could imagine a high quality green park that contributes shade, fresh air and vistas of the river to the centre. A public space that invites to slow down, to sit and lay down on the grass, surrounded by urban building blocks and high rise accents: a celebration of the moment of arrival.