Kralingen Mountain

Maarten commented...

more interesting info on:
http://www.evolo.us/architecture/mvrdvs-kralingen-mountain-project-moves-forward/

1 year ago

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Urbika added company Syntrus Achmea Vastgoed
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Urbika added company Dura Vermeer
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Urbika added company Blauwhoed
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Urbika added company Arup
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Rotterdam is Europe’s main port, the port area stretches along the Rhine from the city centre towards the sea, its industries and cranes are the icons of the port city. The north east of Rotterdam is a sharp contrast to the general image of the city dominated by industrial activity and modern architecture: a green suburban area of great natural beauty. The historic neighbourhood of Kralingen, parklands, the river Rotte and a series of lakes with riparian leisure facilities such as yacht harbours mark this affluent part of the city. The area would be a real oasis in the dense urban fabric but it is brutally split by a motorway and train rail. The green area is cut through by the main artery of the Benelux, the motorway which connects the 3 main ports and generates constant traffic and pollution. Next to the motorway the main train lines are leading to the east. Crouched against the infrastructure a series of industries are located, in a strange paradox surrounded by the nicest parks of the city.

This offers the chance for a real change and development of the area by maintaining and enhancing the green character through a massive investment of covering the motorway with a park, reconnecting the greenbelt and financing this through the construction of high quality housing on top of the new hill, the ‘Kralingen Mountain’. Covering the motorway with park will create one large park in the area and improve the quality of all adjacent communities. The hill which is created by covering the motorway provides as an effect of the flat Dutch landscape wide views over the countryside, the lakes and the city. An ideal location for a residential development which will be easy accessible by the near infrastructure but still be located in the midst of nature.

The construction of this large scale project combines a massive infrastructure effort which will be phased. The site is divided into 12 development zones of which seven need investment in infrastructure and five can be developed independently. Closure of either motorway or rail link for construction is not an option. The solution is the necessary anticipation on the future growth of both the motorway and train traffic. By doubling the capacity first the new infrastructure can be built and used before the existing lines are covered. A new underground railway station will make the area more attractive for residents. Invisible underground a large light industrial program is to be developed, on top a program of different residential typologies is developed fostering for different types of users all in a green environment, with views and connected to public transport. Two areas with office high rise are located near the tunnel entrances, providing the demanded sight-locations for the companies and keeping the middle part of the hill free for park landscape.

The Kralingen Mountain project has the potential to change 67 hectare of urban infrastructure desert into park landscape and quiet residential neighbourhoods.

1 year ago