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Roombeek, a close knit community
Urban development plan for the reconstruction of the disaster area
in Enschede
Background
On 13 May 2000 at 3.35 p.m., a firework depot in Enschede exploded.
The disaster wreaked havoc on the surrounding residential area.
Nearby factory complexes were also destroyed. Since the end of 2000
the architects Cie. / Pi de Bruijn, commissioned by the municipal
Reconstruction Project Office, have been working on a development
plan for the disaster area and its surroundings.
Context
Roombeek acts as a link between the central area within the Enschede
'Singelring' and the post-war districts in Enschede Noord. At one
point the planned site impinges on the surrounding rural area. By
combining the disaster area with the nearby reconstruction site
of Groot Roombeek, a planned site of around 65 hectares has emerged;
an area larger than the town centre itself (see figure 1).
The area as a whole consisted of very varied residential areas,
the Grolsch brewery, and dilapidated factory buildings from Enschede's
textile past.
Following the collapse of the textile industry in the 1970's, a
whole range of entrepreneurs had set up businesses, notably in the
old factory buildings. In addition to small-scale economic activity,
in part still related to the textile industry, there were also second-hand
dealers, warehouses, workshops and the like. Ninety-five artists
also had their studios in the area. Before the disaster the business
area (occupied and unoccupied) covered more than 27 hectares.
In total there were more than 600 households within the planning
area. Half of these lived in low-rent social housing, divided among
the garden village of 200 workers' cottages from the 1920's, right
next to one of the oldest textile factories ('in the shadow of the
mill'). There was also a complex of 100 houses built at the end
of the 1970's and 18 rather grand houses on the Lasondersingel built
in the style of those in Amsterdam. Around 100 students were living
in the planning area; in attics in private homes, in private residences
completely 'fitted out' for rental purposes and in housing units
for young people. The other 250 households were owner-occupied.
Characteristic of the area is a large mixture of functions: within
the home (working at home), on the plots (work, storage or parking
in the back garden or in the inner courtyard) or in one street (houses
on the left, a factory complex on the right).
In 1997 plans were put forward for the reconstruction of Groot Roombeek,
which is part of the current planning area. Reconstruction has taken
into consideration the creation of space in Enschede, firstly for
provision at the top end of the housing market and secondly for
urban functions in restored factory complexes. The firework disaster
actually destroyed the very part of the old factory buildings that
were due for renovation. Only the development of the first section
of the plan continued after the disaster.
Following the explosion, the disaster area and the reconstruction
area were combined into one development site.
The theme of 'Cultural Identity'
In drawing up plans for the reconstruction of Roombeek, emphasis
has been placed on trying to find the different identities of the
area that existed before the disaster. We are not just talking about
the situation immediately before the disaster, but also how the
area was used much longer ago. Furthermore, the position of the
planning area within the town reveals an interesting scenario: after
all, it forms the link between the 'Singelring' and the outskirts.
Underlying the wide range of past identities, however, is a connecting
element that can be viewed as characteristic of Enschede.
The task is to seek design solutions that fit in with the nature
of Enschede as a town. The key words in this respect are: mix and
variety. Or more precisely: the redevelopment task is to create
a town that is attractive and typical of the way Enschede was for
the residents and occupants of the area before the disaster. This
should lead to the return of the previous residential mix, but should
also attract entrepreneurs, artists, clubs and institutions. Moreover,
because the planning area encompasses more than just the disaster
site, there is a need to establish living environments that also
fit in with the image of Enschede (Noord), but which also make it
possible for residents in higher income categories to find a home
there. In all this, the diversity of (residential) areas, sites
for (welfare) services and for employment opportunities will need
to contribute to the vitality of the area (see figure 2).
All conceivable combinations of living and working environments
must be possible in the planning area, provided they do not cause
disruption to the surrounding residential environment and provided
the safety of the citizens is not at issue (see figure 3).
In the search for various identities, a link with the past is also
sought, as has been mentioned. The cultural-historical elements
provided by the textile industry and the countryside (the courses
of old streams, water towers, old railway lines, 'in the shadow
of the mill'), but also by the architecture and the history of construction
and development (garden village, mansard roofs, development in small
projects, large scale factory complexes), will be incorporated into
the planning design where possible (see figure 4).
Objective and programme
The objective of the programme for the reconstruction of Roombeek
is to provide a full, cohesive and well-founded picture of the social,
economic and physical reconstruction and the new opportunities for
Enschede and the planning area of Roombeek. The urban development
plan for Roombeek forms part of the physical reconstruction and
aims to make it possible for everyone of the residents and occupants
of the area before the disaster to return and pick up the threads
if they wish. Because the planning area is a combination of the
disaster area and the inner city reconstruction site of Groot Roombeek,
the aims of the 'new' reconstruction have been added to those of
the 'old' reconstruction: expansion at the top end of the housing
market and the accommodation of urban functions in the buildings
that are due for restoration on the industrial estate.
On completion, the area as a whole must form part of Enschede Noord
and must fit in seamlessly with the surrounding fabric of the town.
The plan must not manifest itself as an alien part of the town.
The quantitative programme for the area includes:
- 1,725 dwellings, of which 500 will be in the social letting
sector, 125 dwellings for renovation, which are in private hands,
and 1,100 newly-built dwellings for sale. 50 % of the dwellings
for sale will be developed under private contract. In addition
to the dwellings being developed by private contract, the other
dwellings need to be developed with consumer needs in mind as
far as possible. Special attention will be paid to senior citizen
housing and housing for the disabled.
- 10.2 hectares for commercial premises, including 7,000 sq.
m. of retail floor space, 7 hectares of high density commercial
buildings and a few business centres. The economic function will
be combined where possible with residential building in the shape
of commuter homes or in low density commercial premises.
- 5.2 hectares of facilities split into groups of centres for
meetings, for (health) care, for culture (in co-operation with
the Rijksmuseum) and for broad schooling, along with the associated
sports facilities in the district.
- Setting aside provision for high-grade public transport to
the north-east.
- Sufficient space for parkland and water, including a place
for commemoration and remembrance (see figure 5).
Strategy and results
The municipal executive (Mayor and Aldermen) has pronounced that
residents and occupants of the disaster area be offered 'significant
participation' in the development of the plans for Roombeek. This
means that the participation will go far further than is usual in
similar developments, right from the beginning of the development
process.
As a first step, a large number of meetings were held with occupants
and residents to determine what their experiences of the area were
previously and how they felt the redevelopment should take place.
By tackling the various topics in open discussions, without drawings,
we were able to ascertain what the ideal scenario was from the point
of view of the former occupants and residents.
This resulted in 8 elements on which the town planners' design and
the programme for redevelopment is based. The 8 elements are:
- A district to return to.
- A lively district.
- A familiar district.
- A district with history.
- A district with value for the future.
- A district without boundaries.
- A district in your own hands
- A safe district.
The urban development plan for Roombeek conforms to the specification
if all elements are present. During the participation in June, when
the first draft of the town planners' structural vision was presented,
the plan was also looked at on the basis of the following elements:
- A district to return to, because it is developed in such a manner
that anyone who wants to, will be able to find his or her own
place there again.
- A lively district, by maximum use of blending and a variety
of town environments without it becoming a jumble.
- A familiar district, e.g. by preserving the existing street
pattern.
- A district with history, by keeping or bringing back many historical
elements.
- A district with value for the future, by using sustainability
and modern ICT infrastructure.
- A district without boundaries, e.g. by ensuring that the urban
fabric of Enschede Noord runs through the planning area.
- A district in your own hands, e.g. by aiming for 50% private
contracts.
- A safe district, by arranging public spaces in a socially responsible
way and making sure that situations that are environmentally unsafe
never arise again.
As the plans develop further, the residents and occupants will
become more and more closely involved in the development as the
plans for the area start to impinge on their space (their own dwellings).
Projectbureau Wederopbouw van de gemeente Enschede
Links:
Enschede-projecten
http://www.enschede-stad.nl/projecten/projecten.htm
Enschede-Gemeente
http://www.enschede.nl/
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The planned site Roombeek is larger than the town
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The cultural-
historical elements
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Public space
and a place for commemoration
and remembrance
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New Design
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