Rotterdam in development

42 R O T T E R D A M I N O N T W I K K E L I N G | 2 0 1 8 he ‘familyscraper’ Cool is a unique concept for the Netherlands; it does not yet exist, but according to BPD’s plans it could soon be a reality where the Schiedamse Vest meets the William Boothlaan. Wim de Haas, BPD’s South-West regional director, and development manager Paul Becht are enthusiastic about the plan: “Rotterdam is working to increase the density of the city centre, but you can see that at the moment there are still not many families with children living in the inner city. They also deserve a place in the centre. This apartment complex, right by the centre, will soon be a great place for them to live.” The 70-metre-high tower block, designed by Van Bergen Kolpa Architects, consists of three-storey homes, grouped around an indoor street. Each indoor street functions as a courtyard in the building, and as a meeting place for the residents and their children. Paul Becht: “The streets are a transition from private to semi-private. Daylight comes through the glass, which gives the streets good visibility. Children of all ages can come together here, as can their parents.” VIBRANCY On the other side of the river, on the Wilhelminapier, BPD and Synchroon have developed two 70-metre towers named Boston and Seattle, both designed by the architects Frits van Dongen and Patrick Koschuch. The HAL Wonen Foundation has purchased all the flats in the Seattle tower block, with the intention of renting them to people registered in the Holland America Line’s (HAL) pension fund. This underscores the long-standing link between the HAL and the Wilhelminapier, a connection which is emphasised by the HAL museum on the ground floor of Seattle. Wim de Haas: “The transition from high-rise to the urban sphere is very important. This section of the Wilhelminapier still feels too little like a community. We want to increase that community feel with these two towers by creating public areas at street level in the Boston and Seattle towers, such as terraces and a green street at the base of the towers. We are still looking into ways to bring more vibrancy to the pier, within the boundaries the municipality has set us. With the development of Philadelphia and Havana, we are increasing this vibrancy even more.” SOCIAL COHESION Paul Becht: “You do sometimes hear negative things about high-rise buildings. They stand for mass construction, the anonymity of the residents and the threat of loneliness. Consciously making room in the high-rise building plans for meeting spaces for residents, both within the tower blocks themselves and in their immediate surroundings, is a way to create more social cohesion. With the redevelopment of the early post-war residential area of the Wielewaal in Rotterdam South, we are also working to strengthen social cohesion. Partly for that reason, safe play areas for children and opportunities to meet people are an important part of the plans for development in The Hudsons, a new neighbourhood in Bospolder.” With respect for the past and in cooperation with the Woonstad housing corporation, the Municipality of Rotterdam, Syntrus Achmea, the current residents and users, BPD is developing a green, sustainable and car-free residential area in the new Wielewaal. Paul Becht: “A living environment that is ready for the future and where we are consulting all parties on how to strengthen social cohesion.” Wim de Haas: “The value of living in the Wielewaal is in the green setting, the spacious layout, the intimacy that comes from its sheltered location, the distinctive architecture, UNDER THE MOTTO ‘CREATING LIVING ENVIRONMENTS’, AREA DEVELOPER BPD AIMS TO FURTHER ENRICH THE CITY OF ROTTERDAM. BPD IS CREATING INNER-CITY LIVING ENVIRONMENTS IN VARIOUS PLACES, INCLUDING VIBRANT MEETING SPACES. IN THIS WAY, BPD IS DEVELOPING NEW LIVING ENVIRONMENTS IN THE EXISTING URBAN FABRIC, IN KEEPING WITH THE SOCIAL AND SPATIAL CHARACTER OF THE PLACE.