How do you transform a transfer hub into a pleasantly cosmopolitan station area?
Stationsgebied Schiedam
De Zwarte Hond has developed a vision for the future of the Schiedam station area, transforming it from a functional transport hub into a vibrant urban destination. Located in the heart of the Rotterdam-The Hague Metropolitan Region, on the River Schie, within walking distance of the historic city centre and adjacent to one of the region’s largest business parks, this development site boasts some of the best connectivity in the Netherlands. The station area is a multimodal public transport hub where metro, bus and train lines converge from five directions. Currently, however, the area lacks a connection with the city: the area is dominated by paved surfaces and car traffic, making it a place that people primarily want to pass through as quickly as possible.
De Zwarte Hond’s vision will transform this location into an attractive place to live, work, study, meet and relax. The master plan is based on four principles: stimulating city life, creating a healthy microclimate, improving connections to the surrounding neighbourhoods and facilitating sustainable mobility. Within the station area, various urban development structures converge, each of which plays an integral role in Schiedam’s spatial framework. These structures help break down barriers and contribute to a pleasant and accessible experience. They will have a consistent, unified appearance and an urban interior. To realize these structures, new underpasses will be constructed and existing ones renovated. These underpasses will be designed to be wide, bright, socially safe and aesthetically appealing. At strategic locations throughout the city, the structures will intersect to form the station squares. Each square will have its own character and spatial design, in keeping with the existing cityscape.
data
- Location
- Schiedam, NL
- Size
- 16 ha
- Client
- Gemeente Schiedam
- Discipline
- Urban Design
- Program
- Master Planning
- Period
- 2020-2028
- Status
- In Development
- Downloads
-
Schiedam
Schieveste
Historically, Schiedam station has always been on the edge of the city. © Beeldbank Schiedam
The underpasses along the Schie are perceived as socially unsafe.
From transport hub to vibrant urban destination
The Schiedam Centrum station area is one of the best-connected development locations in the Netherlands. Situated in the heart of the Metropolitan Region of Rotterdam-The Hague (MRDH), it sits on a ‘multimodal node’ on the Schie waterway, within walking distance of historic Schiedam city centre and one of the largest business parks in the region. The node consists of an intercity station where, from five directions, metro and train lines link up with various regional and city bus lines. The station area in its current form lacks cohesion with the city and is characterized by expanses of road surfacing for motorized traffic. You can get out of here quickly – and you want to.
The intention of this vision is to make this area a destination in its own right: a place to live, study, work or meet – and, if you have some time to kill, a pleasant place to linger, with lots of greenery and urban facilities.
Four ambitions for an accessible station area
The Schiedam Station area has the potential to become a vibrant destination where greenery and social interaction are at the heart of the urban space. Thanks to robust urban planning, the surrounding neighbourhoods will be more closely connected. A more versatile station would make the area more accessible and complement the character of the surrounding neighbourhoods. Public spaces will prioritize slow traffic, creating pleasant residential environments and gathering places.
The four ambitions are:
1. Stimulating urban life: Densification of housing and urban amenities creates vibrancy. A good relationship between buildings and public spaces is essential for an active street life.
2. Creating a healthy microclimate: A pleasant, cool, sheltered and clean microclimate encourages people to spend time outside, promoting health and wellbeing.
3. Improving connections with the surrounding neighbourhoods: The station area firmly anchors the surrounding neighbourhoods in the city, optimally connecting them and strengthening Schiedam as a whole.
4. Facilitating sustainable mobility: A new hierarchy of public spaces provides more room for pedestrians and cyclists and less for cars. Thanks to the variety of amenities, people can more often complete their daily tasks on foot or by bicycle.
The transformation into a vibrant, cosmopolitan station area is underway
Structures as carriers of urban cohesion
In the station area, various urban development structures converge. Each one is a key element of Schiedam’s spatial framework, playing a role in breaking down barriers in the area around the station. Ambitions are realized appropriately in these structures, ensuring that the station area remains a pleasant place to spend time and keeping it easily accessible.
Linking functions to these spatial structures ensures their continuity and strengthens the city’s cohesion. The structures intersect at strategic locations in the city: the station squares. These are distinctive places of exchange and encounter with their own character and spatial purpose, connecting with the existing city.
A public space framework creates a cohesive station area and connects different levels.
The rear of the station will become a fully-fledged frontage, facing Schieveste and the business parks.
The Boerhaave junction will establish a robust connection between M4H and Schieveste, extending further north.
The station square will become an attractive place to relax and change trains.
The underpasses along the Schie River will have a consistent and unambiguous appearance with an urban interior.
