IABR 2020

What will Rotterdam look like if we flatten the climate curve now?

Rotterdam

IABR

There’s no question that the climate is changing drastically. In the Netherlands, as elsewhere, we are experiencing extreme drought, heat, land subsidence, salinisation and rising sea levels. Fortunately, almost every cultural exhibition pays attention to this problem. Climate change has also been on the agenda of architecture events for some time now.

© Jan Groen – Alderman Wijbenga being guided by the curators. Exhibition by Rotterdams WeerWoord and the IABR in the Keilepand Tentoonstelling Rotterdams Weerwoord en IABR in het Keilepand. foto Jan de Groen

De Zwarte Hond’s contribution, Flatten the Curve, was completed in collaboration with Strootman Landscape Architects. It explores one of the four social scenarios behind the exhibition: Collective Prevention. Flatten the Curve is based on the idea that we can successfully flatten the climate curve, resulting in a more beautiful city. What this could look like was illustrated with a panorama of four different locations, bringing together urban planning, landscape and architecture in a unified dream of Rotterdam’s future. The exhibition was unfortunately never opened due to the Covid-19 lockdown, but it can be viewed digitally via this link.

Urban planning, landscape and architecture in a unified dream of Rotterdam’s future

This video was made to present our research in a digital environment. In it, we explain how the different areas of Rotterdam can be transformed to help the city can mitigate the coming climate change.

Based on the differences in the soil and the regional history of Rotterdam, we have placed different accents for the four sub-areas:

1 Alexander, which is the lowest-lying area

2 Noord [North], where the canals are central

3 Zuid [South], where food production and bio-based industries are central

4 The Havens [Ports], which have a higher location and can play a new role in the sustainable energy supply.

Alexanderpolder (see above
In the Alexanderpolder, the water is given more freedom in the public space, so that it does not flood unexpectedly in one place. Houses and other buildings have been adapted for this with a second ground level and an extra front door on the first floor. During the rainy months, the groundwater is given more space.

Port of Rotterdam (see below)
The Port of Rotterdam has transformed itself from a petrochemical giant to a pioneer in sustainable energy and the circular economy. The pre-existing large silos hold water to store energy. The old harbour basins in the city now form the backdrop for green tidal parks where residents can relax and exercise.

Rotterdam Zuid (see above)
Local food production is best seen in the food forests in the Zuiderpark. Here you can now enjoy seasonal products in the city’s culinary hotspot. Residents can walk from their neighbourhood to the forest, which stretches from the Wielewaal to Beverwaard and the island of Brienenoord. Children and adults can learn about the wonders of urban nature in a fun way!

Rotterdam Noord (see below)
In the 19th century, the city’s architect, W.N. Rose, devised a plan to make the city more resistant to epidemics by creating extensive green belts. These belts provide cooling, offer a buffer for rainwater and form a pleasant meeting place for the city’s residents. All the belts are now linked together to form a huge city park.

IABR 2020

At the instigation of the climate adaptation initiative Rotterdams WeerWoord, four design agencies were invited to present their vision of Rotterdam in 2060 as part of the Meteopolis exhibition for the ninth edition of the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR), entitled Down to Earth. Each vision was created within a unique framework of uncertain social and economic factors that will determine the future. With the Flatten the Curve design research project, De Zwarte Hond, in collaboration with Strootman Landscape Architects, explores one of the four social scenarios: Collective Prevention. This research brings together urban development, landscape and architecture in a unified dream of the future of Rotterdam.

In Flatten the Curve, you will discover that adapting to the climate can result in a more beautiful, pleasant and cleaner city. It is radically different from the city we know, but it also feels familiar because existing structures have been preserved. The ports now supply the city with electricity generated from the rising water levels. The city centre is characterised by food forests, where fresh local produce can be enjoyed in restaurants. The low-lying Alexander polder has been transformed into a unique water-rich residential environment, where residential polders with lots of greenery and a system of bridges can absorb flooding during peak rainfall. The dikes that dam the River Maas have become an active part of the city, with recreational parks and tidal zones. The renovated canals in Rotterdam-Noord are pleasant meeting places with lots of greenery and space for the water. Flatten the Curve is not a utopia. With relatively small interventions, perseverance and administrative will, Rotterdam can be a fully climate-proof city by 2060.