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ATELIER ROTTERDAM II

Dealing with Sub-urban Decay in Rotterdam’s satellite town - Capelle aan den Ijssel

Introduction

This Rotterdam Atelier focuses on Capelle aan den Ijssel, a small satelite town to the East of Rotterdam. Although part of the Rotterdam area, Capelle is an independent municipality, with a population of roughly 66,000 inhabitants. In many ways, it can be considered a suburb of Rotterdam, an extension following the massive demand for housing outside the city center and overflow of new inhabitants in the 1960s. Very well connected- as part of the Rotterdam public transportation system, Capelle is nonetheless quite isolated.

Within Capelle, the participants will challenge existing plans and propose alternatives for the Wiekslag, a social housing complex built in the 1960s and managed by Havensteder, one of Rotterdam’s largest housing associations (and the client for this project).

Due to poor quality of architecture, Wiekslag residents changed to mid-to-low income families. Despite the investment in public space, social programs and architecture (façade), the neighborhood continues its downward spiral to decay. Meanwhile, Havensteder’s own resources are depleting as a result of the financial crisis. This means that the association has limited means to revitalize the area and improve its quality (and livability). Demolition is not an option, and gentrification is not a solution (as the problem will only arise elsewhere).
With this in mind, it is the task of this atelier to develop a vision for Wiekslag (2040) in which the participants will examine, review, and challenge existing projects and programs; and design and present alternatives and/or suggestions for the same. The vision has to be profitable for Havensteder.

Facilities

Vision

WIEKSLAG, AN ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT PROVIDES INFRASTRUCTURE FOR IMPROVING AND SUPPORTING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF INHABITANTS, INCREASING ACCESS TO FACILITIES.

Problem tree

Proposal structure

PROBLEMS OBJECTIVES STRATEGIES & ACTIONS ACTOR ROLES IDEAS

Strategies and actions

START - 3 months

STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS to promote awareness & increase proactivity of the Wiekslag community

IDEAS

CONSOLIDATE - 1 year

STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS to decrease the disparity between activities and facilities'

accessibility and affordability

IDEAS

SUSTAIN - 5 years

IDEAS

STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS to reduce unemployment rate of Wiekslag, inserting citizens in the local labor market

Social Programming

Vision

BY 2040, WIEKSLAG BECOMES AN ATTRACTIVE NEIGHBOURHOOD WHERE PEOPLE ENJOY LIVING, WITH EMPOWERED INHABITANTS WHO INTERACT AND PRESERVE THE AREA, SHARING A COMMON SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY, RESPECT AND BELONGING.

Problem tree

Objectives

The 3-month objectives aim to create a database of the inhabitants and their skills, to better support and link them with opportunities. It also includes informing 80% of them about the existing opportunities.

The 1-year objectives are fostering new social activities targeted at the youth and qualification courses for the unemployed or low skilled population.

On a 5-year term, a quarter of the dwellers would, ideally participate in social activities, while employment rate should increase with 10%

Strategies and actions

Public Space

Vision

THE FULL INTEGRATION OF WIEKSLAG AND OTHER AREAS OF CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG IN THE CITY, BY CREATING A PLEASANT AND DIVERSE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL INHABITANTS, REGARDLESS OF ETHNICITY, AGE, CULTURAL ASPECTS, INCOME, USES AND ACTIVITIES.

Spatial issues

The core problem is poor integration within Wiekslag and with the neighboring area.

Wiekslag is not integrated to the rest of Capelle aan den Ijssel due to canals, roads and a big golf course in the northeast and nortwest directions

Objectives

The 3-month objectives aim to make the public space more livable by increasing the cleanliness, beauty and improving visibility: to see and be seen;

The 1-year objectives is to improve the integration of Wiekslag and ensure accessibility;

On a 5-year term, it should be possible to guarantee the maximum integration of Wiekslag's public space and Capelle aan den Ijssel and better engagement of stakeholders.

Strategies and actions

3 months

-cleaning of green and recreational areas;

-maintenance of vegetation