DELVA and Studioninedots are transforming Rotterdam’s Pompenburg from a forgotten area into a lively, green place in the city. Pompenburg will become the new link in a currently fragmented area between the city center, the Agniesebuurt and the Oude Noorden with the new ZOHO district.
With a three-dimensional redesign of the public space, we are turning Pompenburg into a green city hub. At ground level, we are creating three new squares with lots of greenery and different appearances that match the neighbouring city districts, from highly urban to small-scale. Hospitality businesses and local entrepreneurs will activate these new city squares. The area will have a car-free layout and new walking and cycling paths will connect to the existing networks, creating an attractive place to stay. The striking Luchtsingel walking bridge will have a permanent place in the plan and will connect the new squares. The green roof of Hofplein Station, known as De Hofbogen, will remain open to the public and will provide access to a new bridge over the railway tracks, connecting two parts of the city that are now separated by the tracks. At the end of the walking route, a new, characteristic pavilion will provide space for local residents and visitors to meet.
The new buildings stand on wider building blocks, five or six storeys high, which embrace the public space, creating a more intimate public zone in the heart of the plan. We use the space on top of the lower blocks to create extensive urban gardens. In the core of the broad plinths there is room for more anonymous programme components, which can be hidden behind the wide, lively plinth. The tower volumes mark the new Pompenburg in the Rotterdam skyline.
The building volumes are staggered on several floors, creating a controllable sun and wind climate and where collective, green roof gardens are laid out. Together with the greening of the public space, these places will boost the inner-city biodiversity.
The redevelopment of Pompenburg builds on the turbulent history of the site. After the destruction caused by the bombing of Rotterdam in the Second World War, the area was never integrally included in the urban development. With the development of Pompenburg we take advantage of the opportunity to boost nature inclusiveness, greening, and biodiversity in the heart of the city. The new Pompenburg a lively destination that brings local residents and visitors together and fits seamlessly into the Rotterdam identity.
Pompenburg ROTTERDAM
Designers: DELVA and Studioninedots
Images Credit: DELVA and Studioninedots (unless otherwise captioned)
