A distinctive concept was developed in cooperation with SITE for this 66 hectare sized residential area with water storage, nature and leisure development and its connecting infrastructure in Harderwijk.
Surrounded by ‘de Horst’ beach, the inner city of Harderwijk and nature reserve the ‘Veluwe’, this project is situated on an inspiring spot. The ambition of the plan is to make a robust but dynamic landscape as a natural framework and public space which is the foundation of the entire neighborhood. Within this framework residential development can be free, though areas have been given for the different target groups according to their needs and wishes. The preconditions for the plan are the infrastructural connection from the south leaving the Groene Zoomweg through two roundabouts into the neighborhood and the recreational route for bikers and pedestrians from east to west; the ‘Waterplaspad’, which is also the origin of the former land reclamation in the area. The starting points for the landscape are the wood banks and fens which are typical of the landscape of the Veluwe and which are highly valued by the existing and future inhabitants of the area. A hilly fen landscape with pedestrian paths, playgrounds and spread trees will be realized in the low area along the sound wall where the required water retention will also be incorporated. In the higher situated south of the area where will be wood banks alternated with open spaces, like they are present in the adjacent landscape, accommodating cycle- and pedestrian paths and playgrounds. Some of the wood banks are flexible, meaning the owner or developer is bound to preserve at least 50% of the wood in any way they see fit. The wood banks enter far into the area and also the fens are bending in up to the core, thereby interweaving the two landscapes in a natural way. Both landscapes will be constructed as soon as possible so the future inhabitants can move into a more matured landscape. Until that moment the already realized landscape will serve as a recreational area for the citizens of Harderwijk, a backyard of the first inhabitants of Drielanden West and as an advertisement for the neighborhood itself. Creative initiatives such as land art and urban farming can be part of this temporary landscape.
Both infrastructural entrances from the Groene Zoomweg will have their own character. The main road on the left along the fen landscape will be enclosed by a wide green strip with a mixture of trees on one side while the other side is kept open to enable the experience of the fen landscape from the car on the other side. The main road on the right side through the landscape of the wood banks is designed as a grand lane of oaks which is bending itself through wood banks and open spaces. The design of the infrastructure is inspired by the organization of roads in small villages in the Veluwe and the small neighborhoods that formed here. These small central places have green spots at the crossing of roads. In the core of the neighborhood everything comes together; the different landscapes, the main roads and the cycle paths. A green center and meeting area will be realized here with a fen and a natural playground. Some guidelines have been composed for the design of the buildable plots in order to also guarantee a Veluwe-atmosphere in the sub-neighborhoods. A phasing strategy was developed and visualized through an interactive model.
location: Harderwijk, The Netherlands
year of design: 2012
client: Municipality of Harderwijk, Slokker Vastgoed BV and Bouwfonds Ontwikkeling BV
in collaboration with: SITE urban development