WATERSQUARE BLOEMHOF

Pilot water square

In the Oud Zuid district there is a serious flooding issue and this requires a comprehensive and complete strategy for the future. We have developed diverse water management solutions for various spatial structures in this urban district. One of these solutions is a range of sunken neighbourhood squares. These water squares offer a solution for the local flooding that can be executed step by step in each neighbourhood.

Bloemhofplein is a textbook example of a central neighbourhood square within a traditional urban layout and is eminently suitable as a central water square. The water storage volume of the square is limited, but still substantial (approximately 950 m2) and this means that the surrounding streets can drain directly into the square. Because the groundwater level is reasonably high, measures will have to be taken to keep the sunken part of the square dry. This can probably be achieved by means of drains that can also be used to discharge the rainwater into the open water in the canals.

The urban situation and the water management in the northern part of Oud Zuid have many points in common with each other. The Bloemhofplein approach can serve as an example for the many comparable squares in this urban district, whereby the significance of the pilot transcends the physical impact. Bloemhofplein is presently a multi-functional square and, as a water square, it will also appeal to a diverse group of people who will use it to sit, exercise, play games or simply spend leisure time there. The new water square will become a representative, central space in the neighbourhood.