How can we create a suburban neighbourhood that is resilient to the changing social, economic and environment parameters of today? With this question in mind we set out for the development of a new neighborhood community in the suburban village of Berkel en Rodenrijs. We aimed to create a neighborhood that fosters informal care between different generations, reestablishing the elderly and children at the center of the community. In addition we aim to respond to the environmental challenges of the future and in particular the anticipated increase in annual precipitation and periods of heavy rainfall in The Netherlands. Creating a green suburban community orientated around water squares.
People
Moving towards an urban model where children and the elderly are at the centre of neighbourhood planning. More than 35% of all marriages end in divorce and more than 25% of the elderly feel lonely and alienated from society. We aim to create a neighborhood where the nuclear family is still leading but where single parent families and multi generation families can become an integrated part of the suburban living community. Creating suburban communities that anticipate family structures to be in flux. In addition we think that elderly can play a very important role in supporting single parent families and vice versa. Moving towards an urban model where children and the elderly are at the center of neighborhood planning.
Profit
A neighbourhood that allows for two generations to bundle their financial resources and mutually support each other. In the Netherlands there is a huge gap between generations in accumulated wealth, with 80% of the under 25 generation having a negative property equity while the over 55 generation has an average €100,000 positive property equity. We aim to create a neighborhood that allows for two generations to bundle their resources. In addition creating an environment where the elderly remain active participants and where the increase of freelance working is integrated in the urban plan.
Planet
Where the projected climatic challenges are anticipated through smart neighbourhood planning. The anticipated increase of heavy rainfall provides a huge challenge for a country where 60% of its land is under sea level. Water management has always been at the center of Dutch culture and indeed of each local community. Through a series of water squares we aim to create a community where water storage is an integrated part of neighborhood planning and becomes part of the identity of the place. In addition we aim to reintroduce the car-free zone at the heart of the Dutch suburban community and plan a neighborhood around the concept of a pedestrian focused environment. Source by DUTCH urban solutions.
Location: Berkel en Rodenrijs, Netherlands
Architects: DUTCH urban solutions
Director: Richard Breit
Client: Municipality of Lansingerland
Area: site 35.383 sqm
BUA: 13.678 sqm
Units: 92
Population: 384
Year: 2016 – ongoing
Images: Courtesy of Dutch urban solutions