Rotterdam receives award from the Netherlands Cultural Heritage Agency

by Henk J. Licher

Rotterdam is in bad shape with the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, which guards the national monuments. For example, it emerges from a sharp opinion that this Service sent to the municipal council on December 13th. In this tip on the proposed construction of Parkhaven, Rotterdam goes round the clock.

The National Service makes it clear that it is not at all satisfied with the policy of the so-called unsolicited proposal: Private construction and management companies can themselves designate locations in Rotterdam where they wish to construct new buildings.

The first location is also the most controversial: Parkhaven. Attracted by the location, a construction / management combination (Heijmans, Era, Van Eesteren, Vesteda, Woongoed) plunges eagerly into this area, regardless of the cultural vulnerability of this area. He leads the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency to reprimand Rotterdam: “The municipality must carry out an inventory of vulnerable places to exclude them from unsolicited proposals to avoid a demotivating and costly process for all parties ”

And the board continues: “The RCE is now facing a plan from a developer like unsolicited proposal. This blocks the usual process of first visualizing cultural and historical values ​​and qualities, then looking for room for development while respecting these values ​​”.”

Unusually harsh language in a recommendation from a national service, signed on behalf of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science. The cat was chased into the curtains. Why?

The stumbling block is Parkhaven. A reckless plan of a group of builders and private managers who chose this tape as their unsolicited proposal. After all, it was authorized by the municipality and why shouldn’t it be?

However, this combination of buildings, known as ‘PartnersParkhaven’, unfortunately fell into one of the most vulnerable areas imaginable: the Parkhaven. The narrow strip of greenery between the Parkhaven and the Maastunneltracee, direct access to the bank of the Meuse.

The construction partners proposed to build a number of tall towers, with one highest point on the Drooglever-Fortuin circuit (70 meters) and the others varying between 45 m and above. The objections were immediate. A narrow strip of gorgeous greenery, also containing two nationally (and internationally) renowned national monuments, which would be hidden behind high-rise complexes.

The park loses quality

In addition, the magnificent park above the Maastunneltracee, which is also a national monument, and therefore belongs to all of us, would lose a significant amount of quality, both visually and in terms of sunshine, due to these tall buildings. Who really wants that? Not the local residents and visitors who point it out with 6,000 signatures. Neither the two administrative committees of the neighboring city center and the districts of Delfland with a negative opinion, nor the Groen Parkhaven Foundation, which has repeatedly called on the city council to abandon this massive plan in this vulnerable area.

But the municipality and the construction consortium did not calculate the value. The Netherlands Agency for Cultural Heritage is informed of the plan and takes action. And not just against this scandalous proposal. In a damning report, the Minister of Health, Education and Culture tells the director that it is understood that Rotterdam needs a lot of houses, but that the Parkhaven is certainly not the place where it is. should happen. Notwithstanding the great recognized need for housing: “I advise you to abandon this project”.

The considerations are set out in detail: the great importance of the free space around the Euromast, the good visibility of the Maastunnel complex with its buildings and the degradation of the open view and sunlight on Het Park. It’s clear: here the construction consortium has used too much the space it offers unsolicited proposalpolitics seemed to offer. A “prime location”, as the advisor called it. By the way, he also told the city council, when the fire came a little too close to him during an arrest from Councilor Verkoelen, that “it is not his plan”. As alderman, you must dare to take responsibility for space policy.

Rotterdam, protect your sensitive areas

What does this sharp advice from the RCE say about Rotterdam politics? This: Rotterdam protects your sensitive areas and does not release them for buildings. First of all, respect the Parkhaven. RCE’s advice is very clear: “Think about what development can be used to enhance the valuable environment of the Parkhaven, for example by improving the green and recreational function for the inhabitants of the city”. A pleasant place to stay at the intersection of Maas and Parkhaven for all Rotterdammers and visitors, in combination with majestic Rotterdam and the international icon of Euromast. De Bouwcombinatie now wants to make a new plan in a hurry.

But the combination of alderman and construction admit your mistake, this area is not suitable for that.

Henk J. Licher is an urban planner and cultural scientist, as well as Rotterdammer