12.03.13

Swifterbant

The issue

The National Government aspires to put this area on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Therefore the archaeological values in the landscape need to be protected. Economical detriments need to be compensated within the landscape itself.

Our statement

The two historical layers, now blurred into each other, need to become separately readable. This opens up a whole new world of economical potentials.

Our solution

First we research the possibilities to protect the archaeology. Interactive with all stakeholders, we attune the archaeological ambitions to the acceptable level of new developments. With the outcome, we design a landscape framework, clarifying the rational land-claim. This hosts a set of story lines, illuminating the archaeology. Together they create a clear structure for adding wind turbines, increase recreational attraction and additional income, and thus free up space for the desired archaeological protection.

Data
Client: Province of Flevoland, with Lelystad City, Dronten Council, Farmers Coop. Swifterbant
Location: Flevoland, The Netherlands
Area: 38.2 km2
Year: 2003-2004
Status: Ratified
Partners: OKRA landscape architects

 

More information? Click:

Swifterbant_Project Documentation Swifterbant_Process & Scenario Game

or the pdf-icon at the bottom of this page.

12.03.13

Quality Guides National Landscapes

The issue

The National Government has defined the core qualities for the national landscapes. They are striking, but not practical. They need to be made useful for daily practice in planning and design.

Our statement

The essence of making the core qualities practical is to analyse sharply what you see, force to grab it in one image, and explain why it looks that way.

Our solution

By forcing ourselves to grab the landscape in one image only, we get to the essence of its appearance. The image is explained in 5 icons and nuanced with sub- areas. Four characteristic story-lines explain the landscapes appearance and values. The ambitions for improving the key qualities are determined. And we create design principles to assist new developments so they can strengthen the core qualities. This all is done in close cooperation with the people of the Province. The result becomes really their guide.

Data
Client: Province of Utrecht
Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands
Area: 1449 km2
Year: 2009-2010
Status: Ratified and published
Partners: OKRA landscape architects

 

 

 

 

 

 

More information? Click:

Paper Continuity of Culture

Quality Guides_Project Documentation

Quality Guides_Project Booklet

or the pdf-icon at the bottom of this page.

11.03.13

Lunetten

The issue

The area around 4 historical fortifications is vastly fragmented by infrastructure, both spatial and in their use. Their value for the city is far below their potential. However, there is no budget for large-scale interventions. The transformation needs to be gradual.

Our statement

To create cohesion and increase use and value, the area needs to be strategically opened up. A network of clever vistas and simple pathways will increase value dramatically.

Our solution

The fortifications are part of the New Dutch Water-defence-line, nominated as UNESCO World Heritage. We use the historical profile of this system to create coherence. The fragments are brought together in four zones with complementing atmospheres and functions. Attacking missing links in the connections creates a vast path-system. Strategic vistas highlight the fortifications to the millions of passers-by, who enter the city here by car or train. The area is turned into a modern city-gate and valuable parkland at the same time.

Data
Client: City of Utrecht
Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands
Area: 158 ha.
Year: 2006-2008
Status: Ratified
Partners: OKRA landscape architects

 

 

 

 

 

More information? Click:

Lunetten_Project Documentation

or the pdf-icon at the bottom of this page.

11.03.13

Ecological zones Cruquius

Design and construction documents for wet and dry ecological linking zones.

 

Data
Client: Council of Haarlemmermeer
Location: Haarlemmermeer, The Netherlands
Area: 2.4 km1
Year: 1994-1998
Status: 1.3 km1 constructed
Partners: OKRA landscape architects

 

More information? Click:

Ecological Zones Cruquius_project documentation

or the pdf-icon at the bottom of this page.

06.03.13

Mastenbroek

The issue

This unique medieval landscape of national cultural importance is gradually consumed by the surrounding cities. The province, three councils and water-board together commissioned a development-plan for the next 20 years.

Our statement

To preserve this extraordinary landscape, a new relation between cities and landscape, between ‘citizens’ and ‘farmers’ is needed.

Our solution

Together with stakeholders and rural communities we have developed a plan that brings cities and landscape in contact again. The cities transform their backsides into green fronts, viewing to the landscape. Recreational networks and rural programs invite the citizens into the landscape, making them allies in the preservation. Each party is made responsible for specific follow-up projects, keeping each other attentive.

Data
Client: Province of Overijssel, with Zwolle City, Kampen City, Zwartewaterland Council, Waterboard Groot Salland
Location: Overijssel, The Netherlands
Area: 99.8 km2
Year: 2001-2003
Status: Ratified
Partners: Dolte Town Planning, OKRA landscape architects

 

More information? Click:

Mastenbroek_Project Documentation

or the pdf-icon at the bottom of this page.