Joint runner-up entry "COMPLETE SCHIEDAM" connects history and industry in Europan Netherlands

Our next Europan 12 proposal comes from the Netherlands competition for the Schiedam site.

As one of two runner-ups, "COMPLETE SCHIEDAM" by Team BASIC CITY A+U / Felixx was designed to connect the historic core and industrial zones of Schiedam, reinventing the city's identity over time.

Read up on the details below.

Project description:

"The plan embraces Schiedam’s exceptional urban setting in which the historic core of the city and the city’s industrial zone coexist in a extremely close proximity. It connects these two conditions into one functional and legible whole and reveals their dramatic juxtaposition. As a result, the plan reinvents the city’s identity and moves it towards the image of a vigorous urban condition with a bright future."

"BACK TO THE WATER - To realize the ambition we based our proposal on the reestablishment of the Lange Haven and the connected space along the Schie Canal to the south as the main spine of the city. Stretching from the train station to the Maas river, cutting straight through both, historic city and industrial zone, the canal is the logical city connector. It is the focal city space towards which all the public space should gravitate."

STRATEGY FOR INCREMENTAL DEVELOPMENT - A flexible framework has been set up, identifying spots and areas of interest along the canal. The framework allows for gradual transformation of those places in time. From minor short term interventions like activating plinths and public spaces to the optimization of the distil cluster and the larger scale redevelopment of the New Mathenesse on the longer term."

"TWO KEY STRATEGIES FOR THE PROJECT AREA - The project area is one of the main keys for the fundamental transformation of Schiedam’s identity. It holds the potential for a genuine re-stitching of the city’s fragmented spatial framework and shifting its focus towards the Schie Canal.  A meeting point between industrial zone and historic town consists of two elements: Koemarkt square and VROM site. Two very different spatial development strategies are envisioned for the two most important places on the site.

Clean the Koemarkt! - The square is cleaned from all the noisy details and obstacles. It defines the entrance to the historic city. At the same time a simple and connecting surface of the square stretches all the way to the Schie River.  

Densify the VROM site! - VROM site is envisioned as a programmatic booster. Scale and type of program are complementary to the historic city and industrial zone. A new destination in Schiedam. Easily reachable from Koemarkt square it extends into the industrial area and opens up that part of the city!

Instead of a specific program and architecture for the VROM site, we proposed a plan that would enable and structure participation of different stakeholders through time. It is determined by two main ambitions: making conditions for the creation of knowledge in order to facilitate the future advancement of city’s existing industries and focusing on uses that are complementary to the Schiedam’s existing functions.

For more details on the proposal, click here.

Images courtesy of Team BASIC CITY A+U / Felixx