Rik de Visser

Residential Landscape, IJssel Bypass Inspiration for (overleaf) was found in old planning maps. The design study presents two layout models.

Many modern and urban developments lack a relation- ship to their rivers. Vista landscape and urban design looks for concepts which focus on the integration of urban develop- ment, nature, water management and landscape.

n 1993 and 1995, the Dutch river area encountered excessively high drainage with water levels rising to extreme heights, increasing the risk I of dikes bursting and potential flooding. Furthermore, recent research conducted by river experts anticipates more frequent high drainage peaks in the future as a result of climate change. In response, the government was prompted to establish preventative measures that would better prepare and protect the from rising river water levels. In 2000, prin- ciples for coping with high water levels were put in place. As an alternative to simply raising and reinforcing the existing dikes, researchers are exploring solutions that include manipulating the dikes and allowing the excess water to flow through newly created channels. The Bypasslandschap design study, conducted by the Vista landscape and urban design team, was organized to develop measures for widening portions of the IJssel River in combination with the development of new residential environments adjacent to the of Deventer and . The study is the result of Dutch resolutions for increased safety measures and precautionary prevention of river flooding within the context of the project “Ruimte voor de Rivier” (“Space for the River”). The region along the IJssel River between the towns of Deventer and Zutphen require par- ticularly aggressive measures against future flooding. The area between the dikes is very narrow, with a high concentration of buildings along both banks, creating a bottleneck in the river. One proposal suggests creating new arms, or bypasses, of the river in these areas to accommodate increased water flow. The Dutch Ministry of Transport and Public Works has approved this approach as an effective and safe long-term solution. The Stedendriehoek Urban Network, a co-operation between the of , , Deventer, Epe, , , and Zutphen, began exploring the possibility of improving the quality of life, landscape and environment as an integral part of the construction of the bypasses. Ideally the two processes would complement one another. Additionally, the project would incorporate part of the housing assignment of the Stedendriehoek Urban Network to the necessary water management measures. The initial program would provide approxi- mately 3,000 homes for both locations.

44 The Rivierpark model (1 low-water, 2 high-water) proposes a compact, residential park landscape. The bypass is narrow and the buildings are concentrated on an .

In the Stroomruggenlandschap model (3 low-water, 4 high-water), a more natural river landscape is maintained, with a wider bypass and more scattered residential styles situated along ridges that work with the existing change in elevation.

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45 hardwood softwood dry fluviatile rough vegetation/ riparian forest riparian forest grassland shrubs marsh shallow water deep water

TYPOLOGIES FOR RIVER NATURE floating isolated water river dune beach water citadel along the dike on the riverbanks marina in front of a park urban island village on a mound mounds waterfront houses

TYPOLOGIES FOR RIVER HOUSING

The creation of new arms of rivers is a major intervention in the land- Typologies have been developed which form a toolbox of scape, offering unique opportunities for a wide range of habitat types and possible functional combinations and layout models. New housing options. To demonstrate these opportunities, two typologies have habitats determined by changes in water dynamics are been developed which form a toolbox of possible functional combinations linked to the characteristics of the IJssel. Different residen- and layout models. Firstly, a typology has been created for the develop- tial environments establish a relationship to the river. ment of new habitats determined by changes in water dynamics and man- agement. The result is a sample sheet of both new and tried-and-tested Zutphen (left) is an attractive to live in. However, the forms of river environments, which are linked to the characteristics of the adjacent IJssel increases the risk of river flooding. IJssel. These river treatments would include hardwood and softwood riparian forest, rough pasture, river dunes, valley meadows, river beaches, isolated water, shallow water, and finally deep water. Secondly, a typology has been developed for water-related residential environments. Each type has a different relationship to the river with housing situated either directly adjacent to the river, in the river itself or turned away from it. Additionally, each housing style has a unique response to the river, utilizing the varia- tion in level, the visual experience and the recreational opportunities of the river. Housing types include waterfront, park residence, marina, urban island, mound village, water castle, dike residence, floating residence, gradient residence and mound residence. For each bypass, the design study presents two layout models, which meet the water management and urban development specifications. The models include Rivierpark Deventer-Twello, Stroomruggenlandschap Deventer-Twello, IJsseIbuurtschappen Zutphen and Waterhoven Zutphen. The source of inspiration for the various designs was derived from the geo- graphical history of the areas. Both Deventer and Zutphen have a rich trad- ing history and belonged to the great “Hanzesteden” towns along the IJssel. Inspiration for Deventer was found in the so-called Deventerse Hoven. Old planning maps show several market gardens situated around the town, which gradually expanded to form green residential areas. These gardens increasingly became incorporated into the urban web. The two layout models for Deventer have been given the motto “Tuin van de Stad” (“Gar- den of the ”). In the Rivierpark model, this has been interpreted by a compact, residential park landscape with a number of residential river parks on a central island. The bypass here is relatively narrow and the buildings are concentrated on the island. There will be a small harbour on the bypass and water castles in the forelands. In the Stroomruggenland-

47 In Zutphen, the formative history of the town was decisive for the design, reflecting the former village identity.

schap model, a more natural river landscape is maintained, with a wider bypass and more scattered residential styles situated along ridges that work with the existing change in elevation. This model offers both village-like and innovative ecological residential forms. Both layout models demon- strate a specific interpretation of the “Garden of the City” concept. In the Zutphen situation, the formative history of the town was deci- sive for the design. The old town center is surrounded by strips of village and small scale residential clusters fixed around an open green space or square and enclosed by ditches and embankments. These village structures and fragments gradually grew together, making Zutphen an attractive residential town, both in scale and size. This village identity formed the basis for the development of the two layout models for Zutphen. In the IJsselbuurtschappen model, this has been interpreted by a number of scat- tered, small-scale and compact residential clusters situated on the bypass and along the river. In the Waterhoven model, the village identity is a vari- ation on the market garden village, with small-scale residential strips in an open and watery foreland landscape. Both models reflect the village iden- tity of Zutphen in a distinct manner. It is as yet unclear whether the bypasses will be created. While the Dutch Ministry of Transport and Public Works has estimated that the models would have a positive effect on lowering the water levels in the long-term, as well as meet the safety requirements, the implementation cost is a discussion point. Substantial investment would be involved. One initial estimate has quoted between 380 and 450 million Euro for the Deventer plan. Ultimately, politicians will have to make decisions, taking into account both the cost and benefits. In addition to the profits from the housing developments, the projects would greatly improve the quality of the area, providing unique residential options, new natural habitats, and a spectacular landscape.

The design study has been supervised by directors and officials of the relevant councils, district water boards, provinces and ministries. Design team: Vista landscape and urban design: Edwin van Uum (project leader), Léon Emmen, Paul van Hoek, Roel Wolters; Nieuwe : Robert Arends With contributions from: A. Sieben (Ministry of Transport & Public Works – RIZA), L. Molenkamp (Ministry of Transport & Public Works direction Oost-Nederland), R. Peters (DHV Management Consultants)

48 The layout models are based on ancient village structures. In the IJsselbuurtschappen model (1 low-water, 2 high-water), this has been interpreted by a number of scattered, small-scale and compact residential clusters situated on the bypass and along the river.

The Waterhoven model (3 low-water, 4 high-water) contains small-scale residential strips in an open and watery foreland landscape.

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