Map

Introduction

Rotterdam, located in the Netherlands, is a city that seamlessly blinds its rich history with modern innovation. Its iconic harbour, bridges and buildings reflect a city that had to reinvent itself after World War 2. Rotterdam has a great connection to the sea, which comes with a great number of possibilities for Rotterdam. Rotterdam is a 'real' harbour city, but not only a harbour city. More than 50.000 students live or study in Rotterdam, which provides a bright future(study.eu, n.d.). Rotterdam possesses regions with very different characteris and values which provide different design opportunities.

BoSS calls for a collective effort to imagine and build a sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful future. The climate crisis is a complex issue that has arisen from generations of humans seeing themselves as separate from nature. The only way to address such a complex problem is to work together and look at broad perspectives of not only humans but also at the impact on nature.

In this context they evolved a vision towards a 'New European Bauhaus' that focuses on the most critical shared space we have: the seas, oceans and other water bodies. A city enhances our quality of life in a unique way that functional aspects cannot. Sustainability is key, involving regenerative approaches that mimic natural cycles, protecting biodiversity, reducing pollution, and restoring aquatic ecosystems (Bauhaus Of The Seas, 2023). However, to achieve these goals we have to do this together with the inhabitants in order to fit the solution to their needs and gather useful insights and inspiration.

However, even Rotterdam is not perfect and still can be improved. Our value map will show some great design interventions that are in line with both the characteristics of that area and that of BoSS. (see visual)

Values per region

click regions to see corresponding values

Corresponding Values

click regions to see corresponding values

Stage of Adoption

The BCC model, based on Wagle's work, outlines a six-level framework for understanding behavioral change in rainwater management. It begins with creating awareness (level 1) and progresses to gaining knowledge (level 2), contemplation (level 3), forming intentions (level 4), taking action (level 5), and finally, maintaining the changed behavior (level 6).

This model is used in combination with regional values and characteristics to determine the current stage of behavioral change in each region. Once assessed, it helps identify suitable projects that align with the region's stage of change. These project recommendations can be found in the next step, enabling tailored approaches for different regions.

Defined design intervention

To illustrate how the values can be implemented in projects within the city, and to give a better idea of how the values translate into projects, we picked an exemplary project for each region. On each map you can find points pinned, that are suggested spots for projects that are like the examples..

North: Heliport

For Rotterdam North an example would be the Heliport project. Here a mostly concrete square was transformed into a more green and beautiful playground, which stores rainwater locally to naturally water the plants, and has an eye-catching ‘river’ to show what is happening to the rainwater, to the children. This nice green community place fits well with the values of Rotterdam North. This is because the playground was designed in collaboration with the local residents, it commits to a more sustainable neighbourhood in the way it treats the water, provides even more green to the greenest part of Rotterdam and could easily feature possibilities for the community to contribute even after the place is built.

South: Wadis

The South of Rotterdam has a lot of new building projects and boroughs. In its nature it looks for improvements and is a lot about seeing and being seen. Therefore it is a perfect place to incorporate Wadis in both public and private gardens as a talking subject and a way to create more beautiful gardens. Wadis are shallow holes/dips/ditches in the ground, in which small puddles/lakes of rainwater can form. Because they are above the groundwater level, the water slowly is released to the groundwater level and or to the nearby foliage.

East: Floating Park

Rotterdam East is a very green part of the city, with especially a lot of water, the biggest being the Kralingse Plas. It prides itself in the natural beauty of the park. Therefore, it is the perfect location for projects like the Floating park. The floating park is covered in decorative plants, but also functions as a hotel for fish and macrofauna. With smart techniques it also measures the populations of fish and small animals. The Park fits well with the values of Rotterdam east, because it is a part that values beauty (especially Kralingen), it is a way to make for example Crooswijk more beautiful and bridge the gap with Kralingen to decrease the present polarisation, a way to create more nice public spaces for this social part of the city, and is innovative in what it learns us about the water and wildlife that comes with it.

West: Rain(A)Way Tiles

Rotterdam West would be a perfect fit for Rain(A)Way Tiles due to the pavement rich nature of this part of the city. Rain(A)Way tiles are tiles that capture the rainwater and then slowly release it into the groundwater to water nearby foliage. This resembles the functionality of the wadis. The bold design fits with the hard nature of this part of the city. Furthermore it is a way to green up the old paved streets in a part of the city where the municipality is already actively looking for solutions on how to deal with excess water.

Centre: Waterwall

The Rotterdam Centre is a busy place and the governing heart of the city. The area is densely built and has a very concrete environment. A waterwall can provide some well needed cooling of the city centre in a world that gets warmer by the day. This part of the city also revolves a lot about shopping and nightlife within the city. These water walls could (with the right designs) also become some eye-watering decorations to enhance the nightlife and shopping experience for a part of the city that is tightly built together.

South: Action

Rotterdam South is experiencing significant growth, with the construction of new neighbourhoods and towering structures. This presents a prime opportunity to incorporate water-focused designs into the development of these new areas and buildings.

East: Contempletion

Floating greens have already found their place in certain areas of the East, and the numerous small water pockets offer excellent opportunities for adding more of these innovative features. The next step would create an eye catcher design intervention which makes the target group think about their actions.

West: Action

The Nieuwe Binnenweg is a large grey street with little to no nature. The overall West area of Rotterdam including Delfshaven shows a lot of potential to integrate water related design intervention. The next step would be implementing design cases were the area becomes greener without completely changing it’s rough identit

Centre: Intention

The centre is the most busy and crowded place in Rotterdam. It would be convenient to create a design intervention that does not disrupt people or break up a large piece of area. An optimal design intervention would be to add something to the already existing architecture in Rotterdam centre. This should show intention and be clear to all people observing it.

North: Awareness

The Heliport project is already implemented in Rotterdam North. However, during field research it was discovered that the nearby citizens were not aware about the meaning behind the project. The next step for a design intervention would be to make people aware about the rainwater usage of Heliport and how it helps the surrounding nature.