Winner of a Merit Award in the 2022 WLA Awards – Concept – Design category
Why do we design our streets without thinking about their quality? Spatially, our streets have become stony thoroughfares with no room for encounters, where technical manuals rule the day. These are some of the observations that form the basis of our design research. These days, we face major challenges: our urban climate is changing, and climatologically it is becoming wetter, warmer and drier. Socially too, a change is taking place: cities are becoming busier and, in some cases, harsher and less healthy. An ecological disaster is also looming, with greenery that has become more scarce or low in quality. In short: pressures on the quality of urban life are increasing.
How can we deal with these changes? Where can a room be found in the city? Where is the greatest dynamism located? Solutions are on the street; s.m.a.r.t-STREET! We believe that the city, with all its streets, offers opportunities to improve the urban climate. Streets form a powerful network. There are thousands of them, and they are always evolving. Therefore, when an effective solution can be applied 1000 times, a revolution will take place.
In five s.m.a.r.t. street newspapers, created by design by research, we give shape to this transition. Each (physical) newspaper has a specific theme that is researched with more than 25 partners. Its wide dissemination makes all information available to anyone, free of charge, with backup on a website.
Whereas public servants are mainly group targeted, we present an understandable story for everyone. This story is succinct, focused and inspirational, aimed at convincing people to take action, set new standards and get rid of timeworn habits. Just what is needed to fulfil the ambition to create attractive and sustainable cities.
Newspaper #1 – s.m.a.r.t. street systems
This edition offers a wide range of measures that can be summarised in four themes: the city as a sponge, green with added value, social & flexible, efficient flows.
Newspaper #2 – achieving ambitions
This edition starts from the awareness that there is no ready-made plan to realise the s.m.a.r.t. street. To speed up the transition from street to s.m.a.r.t.street, or more generally to climate-conscious action, a number of themes are crucial: initiative, money, cooperation, habit and doing.
Newspaper #3 – involve residents
This edition asks how we enthuse others in a way they can recognise and how we speak to others in their language. It shows how we can better understand and reach residents and what are crucial intervention points.
Newspaper #4 – a basis for densification
Development that is able to withstand the effects of climate change? Extra housing that also contributes to urban climate? This edition shows how densification can go hand in hand with climate adaptation.
Newspaper #5 – below the street
This edition focuses on the soil as the foundation of any street. As underground space is becoming increasingly scarce and our use of it is disturbing the natural balance, we look for a future-proof subsurface.
s.m.a.r.t. STREET concept – A roadmap for a climate-adaptive urban environment
Client: Initiative of BoschSlabbers and Buro Bergh (No client involved)
Landscape architect: BoschSlabbers
Designers: BoschSlabbers: Stijn Koole, Maike Warmerdam, Esther Bergstra, Koen Bakker, Cor Simon
Buro Bergh: Floor van den Bergh
In cooperation with our S.m.a.r.t. street partners (architects, urban designers, landscape architects, designers of public space, designers of relevant parts, engineers, etc)
Binder-De Enk, Deltares, Dunea, Gemeente Den Haag, Gemeentelijk Platform Kabels en Leidingen, Gemeente Rotterdam/Watersensitive Rotterdam, Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland, Hoogheemraadschap van Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard, Koppelkansen-traject Amsterdam, Platform Slappe Bodem, Provincie Noord-Brabant, Provincie Zeeland, Provincie Zuid-Holland, Rebel, Samen Klimaatbestendig, Stichting Infrastructuur Kwaliteitsborging Bodembeheer, Stichting Rioned, Stichting rondom GWW, STOWA, Uitvoeringsprogramma Bodem en Ondergrond, VP Delta, Waterschap Hollandse Delta, Waterschap Amstel, Gooi en Vecht
Image credits: images created by BoschSlabbers