'Appreciation for nature in residential environment increasingly visible in streetscape'

'Together, we are trying to get more and more of an overall picture'

Corné van Overveld, owner of landscape and urban design firm Landschappartners, has seen many trends and developments for the design of public space over the past few decades. If one term can be named that runs as a common thread through current developments, it is the word integration. Integration of nature and the role of all parties involved in the redesign of our urban green spaces. "More than the '90s, there is integral collaboration in green projects these days," Corné says. "In cooperation with architects, municipalities and project developers, we are now trying to achieve a much more total picture."

An important role in this is the increased focus on experiencing nature and appreciating natural greenery in the city. "In the new urban design, fortunately, more large-scale contiguous green structures and ecological connections are now being chosen. The tightly hoeed shrub rose beds have given way to (shaggier) flowery perennial borders. So we see the appreciation for nature and the awareness of the importance of biodiversity in the immediate living environment increasingly reflected in the streetscape. Educating and explaining to residents why and what for is important in this regard and provides support."

Livability and quality

On the other hand, green spaces are still under pressure, Corné observes. Increased space claims by various functions have only increased the tension in public space. "So sometimes concessions have to be made. An attractive tree structure is often lacking because of the many underground cables and pipes, while it is precisely a tree structure in the urban area that helps reduce heat stress. Due to extreme rainfall, the available sewer systems often no longer suffice. The solution is then found in (underground) storage or retention facilities (wadis) in public green spaces." A good example is the new Vlietzone landscape park of the Rotterdamsebaan project in The Hague. This new park is designed to also be a calamity storage facility for water from the Vliet River. 

(Traffic) safety

Corné sees another trend in the increased focus on (traffic) safety. This is reflected in the streetscape and livability of the residential neighborhood. "Realizing a 30-km regime in an older residential area requires a different layout of the street profile, through traffic calming measures (speed bumps) and road narrowing. Examples of this are the project Eikenlaan e.o. in Spijkenisse and the redesign of the Oosterengweg as part of the HOV in Hilversum. In close consultation with the residents, a total redesign was realized here and traffic safety was improved." 

Commissioning

Not unimportant is the changing role of the principal. "More and more municipalities are still only fulfilling the role of direction and control. In doing so, developers are mostly at the helm for the realization of new construction." An example of this approach is the Noordelijk Havenhoofd development in Scheveningen. "This area development is a joint initiative of the developer, the local fishing companies and the municipality of The Hague. Landschappartners is taking care of the integral approach to the outdoor space for this development. The starting point is a sustainable, climate-resistant and high-quality design. Many materials will be reused in the new design. The parking problem will also be solved here with a parking garage for 1,000 cars under the dune."