read the inspiring report!

PEER REVIEW MEETING
ACTIVITY 2:
SUSTAINABLE VISITOR MANAGEMENT
POLDERS OF KRUIBEKE BELGIUM
16 & 17 TH OF
SEPTEMBER 2010
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS 2 PROGRAMME 4 POLDERS OF KRUIBEKE EXPLORATION 5 GETTING TO KNOW THE AREA 5 ACCESSIBILITY DILEMMAS & THEIR ANSWERS WINNERS COMMENTS AND PICTURES 5 6 10 10 WORKSHOP VISITOR MANAGEMENT PLAN 11 GENERAL PRESENTATION MINORITY GROUPS TOURISTS SPORTS LOVERS 11 12 13 15 17 18 PRESENTATIONS VISITOR CENTRES & GATEWAYS 19 OOSTVAARDERSPLASSEN (BY THEO DE BRUIN) THE BIESBOSCH GATEWAYS (BY MARIANNE DEN BRAVEN) 19 22 ICT TOOLS 25 JOINT STUDY 27 A VISITOR CENTER FOR THE POLDERS OF KRUIBEKE? 29 ROUND‐UP 32 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS 34 IMMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS & LOCAL COMMUNITIES SENIOR CITIZENS 2
OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT
In the old polders of Kruibeke, Bazel and Rupelmonde a large Flood Control Area (FCA) is being
constructed. The 650 hectares combine safety (protection against future floods), nature
development (conservation of existing nature, like willows, alders and ash trees, development of
valuable tidal nature and creation of bird habitats) and recreation (development of sustainable
ecotourism).
The FCA will store water once or twice a year: when spring tide coincides with an extreme northwestern storm, the water levels in the Scheldt rise to dangerous heights. By cutting off the top of
the storm wave and temporarily storing the water, the flood chance in the Scheldt estuary
decreases from once every 70 to once every 350 years.
Otherwise, the area will be peaceful. In the north, tides will shape the landscape. More to the south
you’ll find black-tailed godwits and their feathered friends in the meadow bird area, deer in rare
swamp woods and countless hikers alongside the Scheldt.
Current planning schedules the project going into operation in 2012.
The polders of Kruibeke are ideally situated for recreational purposes: they offer peaceful, natural
enjoyment. Added bonus: they are close to Antwerp and easily accessible by car, bus and ferries.
At the Scheldelei in Kruibeke, Waterwegen & Zeekanaal plc has erected a large information shed. It
contains a permanent exhibition on the Sigmaplan and the project area of Kruibeke, Bazel &
Rupelmonde. The shed is often used to welcome groups of visitors and people living close by. They
can watch films about the Sigmaplan and the polders of Kruibeke, and accommodation is in place
for various types of presentations.
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PROGRAMME
DAY 1: THURSDAY 16TH OF SEPTEMBER
10u30
Onset peer review : coffee and introduction
11u
Exploration of Polders of Kruibeke & surroundings
13u
Lunch at a local tavern in Bazel
14u
Introduction: Workshop about study W&Z: Access plan Polders of Kruibeke
14u15
Presentation about the access plan and visitor management
Polders of Kruibeke
14u45
Short presentation by an expert in the subgroups
15u
Working on the issues in subgroups guided by the expert
17u
Discussion in full group with conclusions
18u
End of workshop
19u30
Diner @ Het Leugenpaleis in Sint-Niklaas
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DAY 2: THURSDAY 16TH OF SEPTEMBER
8u30
9u
9u15
Transport from hotel to Kruibeke
Coffee and introduction workshop visitor centres
Presentations about visitor centres & gateways: the ‘Oostvaardersplassen’
and the Biesbosch.
10u15
“Is a visitor centre still contemporary?” Discussion in small subgroups.
10u45
Plenary discussion and conclusions
11u45
Presentation by an expert on ICT possibilities in visitor management.
Discussion and conclusions.
12u30
14u
Followed by a talk about the theme and subject of the joint study within
the framework of Activity 2.
Lunch visit to local art exhibition at Altena castle and end of meeting
POLDERS OF KRUIBEKE EXPLORATION
GETTING TO KNOW THE AREA
The first day of the peer review got off to a fun start with the ‘Polders of Kruibeke Exploration’. The
goal of the search was to discover how the Flood Control Area is embedded in its surroundings. It
led the participants to the ferries, villages, tourist attractions… At five locations they could find
questions, asking them to think about various issues: how can the project area best be integrated
in its surroundings, which means are necessary to keep people safe, get them interested, show
them the way…?
The participants were divided into four teams at the information shed. Each team was given a map
of the project area and its surroundings, along with a GPS device in which waypoints were
programmed, and then sent on its way. The goal of the game: to find as many questions as
possible. The team that answered most questions before lunch would be declared the winner.
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5 ACCESSIBILITY DILEMMAS & THEIR ANSWERS
BEST LOCATION FOR WELCOMING THE VISITORS TO THE PROJECT AREA
“We are considering the Scheldelei as a possible reception axis for the project. How
would you design this zone in order to optimally streamline the flow of visitors?”
Gateway issues You need a better name. We don't know what to call you – FCA KBR is not very catchy.
You need it to raise awareness. You now sound like a problem, not like a solution.
Probably more local and regional visitors, then national or international. You need to
consider how many visitors you get and where they come from.
Public transportation is important, both road and water. You really want to encourage
people to use public transport and leave their car at home. So you need a decent bike hire
centre here as well. To get about in the project area.
Place signs from the main road and across the river on ferry, but also on signs to the
ferry stops.
It needs to be clear near the road that the Scheldelei is your starting point. You need a
gate, or a real entrance there.
Keep cars and cyclists separate.
Branding is also important in the signage. All panels should be both brand and
interpretation systems. Land art or signage made together with local artists can heighten
the experience and attract more people. The element of fun is important for interpretation
and education.
The parking lot potentially makes the environment less inviting, while it is very important to
offer people an attractive starting point. You need to look like a park, more than a
parking lot. A nice view and big welcoming area. It would be best to incorporate the
boating area, so you have a nice view on the Scheldt. That is the essence of the project.
Visitor centre issues It’s an obvious place for the visitor centre. It's the first place to welcome visitors from
Antwerp.
The place is very close to the big sluices, the main attraction.
If you decide on building a visitor centre here, you need to make visitors feel at home and
guide them to their needs quickly. You need a lot of signs, so people immediately know
where to go.
A restaurant or tavern would be appreciated, and a lot of easy-to-book package deals.
The way a decision is reached is sometimes more important than the contents of the
decision. When you’re setting up a visitor centre, you need to involve all the parties. If
you don’t, you’ll need years to conquer the resistance in the area. And you won’t be able to
count on centre-reinforcing initiatives or collaboration from the surroundings. So it’s best to
get participating from the start: it takes a bit longer, but saves you plenty of time in the
end.
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Branding inspiration: The Broads: beWILDerwood 7
ENSURING SAFETY FOR ALL THE VISITORS
“On average once or twice a year, water will flow over the floodable dike. Of course
nobody’s allowed in the polder then. How do we best keep people out?”
How about an alarm system? Maybe you can do something with flags at the main
entrances: ferries, gates... You have to warn people way before they reach the area.
You should warn people at the manned gateways and have ranger patrols.
You need a construction where people are not allowed to pass when there is a storm tide:
gates, or a barrier. Some physical barrier.
You need to get the press involved as well.
It might be attractive to build some sort of construction that people can use to walk above
the water when it is flowing in. To make sure they can experience this event.
You can arrange something with the ferries, so that they put up signs. Local people get to
know the area and the risks involved.
For tourists you need big road signs coming in from Antwerp when storms are expected.
On the front page of the website there should be a warning as well.
And you should have everything in several languages and in icons, so it's
understandable.
You will have to monitor and learn from the situation.
Put up fleeing points for cattle. The dikes are not enough. You need these points for
wildlife, too. The animals are afraid of people and might withdraw when they encounter
people on their fleeing routes. This information is also important for visitors: what happens
to rabbits? It 's really bad for your image when all kinds of animals drown in case of a storm
surge.
You can also use modern means of communication and check out ICT possibilities.
BRANDING THE REGION, NOT THE PROJECT
“Bazel was recently elected the second prettiest village in Flanders. Of course it has
many recreational and touristic strong points. In what ways can the project and village
tourism reinforce each other to attract a wide range of visitors?”
You have to deal with the wishes of the community.
It is important to work with the local shops, to educate them about the opportunities of
the project for the surroundings. Teach them the basics of customer service and the
advantages of the project. This was also done in the Broads.
There needs to be a branded information and interpretation panel in the city centres
to tell visitors that the project is there.
Start with an analysis of the surroundings, find out how many green areas you have
around Antwerp. Then you can see the attraction and the potential. Investigate if there
is a need for the people to come here.
You need a message. Why is it different and interesting here? Safety is good for the local
inhabitants, but what might attract the rest? You need to develop activities for them. If
there is nothing to do or experience, they will not come.
Brand your area. (see p.7 - BeWILDerwood for inspiration)
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Set up seasonal activities: special events around the meadow birds, an Easter egg hunt, a
special omelette menu…
Train local volunteers, to make events happen or at least to promote them.
TRAVELLING TO THE PROJECT SITE
“Water transport is the most sustainable way of getting people from one place to the
other. This map shows the amenities in the area. Do you have any ideas to reinforce
these access points even more?”
Turn all the ferry stops into gateways, in the polder, but also on the other side of the river.
Brand all ferry signs in the project concept.
Solar boats could be used as a water bus to connect the ferries, and maybe Antwerp.
You need to consider the size of water trams. A lot of people come into the area at
different times, but all take the last boat home.
Build enough package deals. In Zeeland we have a popular 'wind in the back' package,
where people rent a bike and cycle to a specific point. They go home by boat.
Put up enough information at the ferry stops.
Maybe all three ferries can be used as water trams between the three project ferry
stops. You need very clear communication about this.
Cooperate with local businesses to develop package deals: horseback rides, old-timer
travel deals, etc. If you put everything on the same website, people can build their own
programme.
PANCAKES IN THE POLDER
“The Kallebeek tavern has to be torn down because it is built too low. We are
investigating whether it is useful to erect a new building here, if possible in collaboration
with an interested entrepreneur. The current pub keepers are probably not interested, so
the market is wide open. How do we best handle this?”
Commercial investors are good.
You need a place on this spot. The ferry is an attraction, but it’s also in the middle of the
project. You can also make it attractive by building a beautiful terrace. You can
arrange that it attracts a lot of people. The view is very important.
Try working with health organisations, to combine health, nature... People with light
disabilities can be involved with the activities as cheaper working power, for maintenance,
arrangements... The institutions taking care of these people are always looking for things
for them to do. By thinking together you can set up mutually interesting programs.
The place should be on the edge of the water, so you can see the water and the boats. A
bed & breakfast function and meeting places are interesting as well.
The people managing this place should also live here. It's necessary to keep the
centre safe.
Make a good list of what can be done and what can't be done (because of nature) and
communicate this to investors and local entrepreneurs. You will surely find interested
parties.
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WINNERS
Marianne, Lucy, Stefaan and Fred won the KBR
exploration Cup. They were the first to finish all the
questions and return to the Kallebeek Tavern.
COMMENTS AND PICTURES
"Time is of the essence!"
"Come on, that team’s left already! Let's go!"
“The machine is beeping, this can't be good!"
“But it is!"
"Ah, wonderful. Who knew beeping could be good."
"There's another team there. Oh my god! Let's go get them!"
(Camper vans are spotted) “Ah, the silver age has arrived. They spend a lot of money, so they are
an interesting target group. We love to see them coming.”
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WORKSHOP VISITOR MANAGEMENT PLAN
The afternoon was reserved for an extensive workshop on the needs of various target groups in a
visitor reception plan. It started off with a general presentation by Timothy Vanagt (Soresma)
about the recreational potential of the Sigmaplan and the Flood Control Area (FCA) of KruibekeBazel-Rupelmonde.
After the general presentation, the participants were divided into small working groups. They each
addressed the needs of a specific target group. In each group, an expert gave an introductory
presentation.
GENERAL PRESENTATION
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES OF THE SIGMAPLAN
Water safety infrastructure: more than 560km of dikes, many different landscapes
More than 50 FCA’s by 2030
Water events: high tide in controlled tidal areas, floods in FCA’s
Nature: broad variety of nature types and inhabitants (birds, deer...)
Recreation: huge potential for recreation: bird watching, picnic, cycling...
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES OF THE POLDERS OF KRUIBEKE
Context: environment of the project is important, with its historical and cultural elements.
An intervention is only successful when it is embedded in its surroundings.
Overflow dike, huge in- and outlet constructions, different heights of dikes, the powerful
sluices: all fixed and impressive elements.
Different landscapes, according to water levels: low tide, high tide, spring tide, storm tide.
Different nature types: tidal nature (in and outside polder), meadow bird habitat, wet
forests.
Recreation: potential of context, potential of alarm system, potential of use.
12 minutes by car from Antwerp.
35 minutes by bike from Antwerp.
Public transport: bus and 3 ferries.
Possibilities for further water transport.
Water sports: 2 potential places (Scheldelei, Rupelmonde).
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?
Map of all flood control areas.
Map of all tourist actors working in the area: several actors.
3 clusters, so each visitor management plan can be easily added to visitor management
plans already in place.
For each cluster, we identified management gates. For each project, there will be a
marketing spot for the entire plan.
Bridges, paths, parking lots, picnic tables, etc. will be planned as well. Now we have to think
of the infrastructure we need for each of the expected and desired functions.
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MINORITY GROUPS
(Presentation by Lucy Harris, The Broads)
WHICH QUALITIES ARE MINORITY GROUPS LOOKING FOR?
Accessibility is most important: efforts to open up the project for all kinds of minority
groups will make it inclusive.
WHAT KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE DO THEY NEED/LIKE?
Accessibility: public transportation over water, busses, free parking, bike hire points with
information about the facilities...
Special boarded walk with Braille information and audio guide through the area.
Open for wheelchairs and blind people, also with dogs. Although they will seldom come
by themselves, unless their trail starts right at the bus stop.
HOW TO REACH MINORITY GROUPS?
It is important to have a good definition of ‘minority groups’. In this case most ethnic
minorities will be found in Antwerp.
Work with champions, people you train as an opinion leader and who are very active
in their communities. Show them the area and all the activities. They will show their people.
Employ officers to look into community opinion leaders already enjoying nature. Bring
them out for free and hope they will return. This works best in big urban areas. They have a
different cultural framework. The better they are integrated, the harder it is to reach them
as a group.
Incorporate diversity in the communication: if you are not white and you only see white
people enjoying the facilities (in pictures, brochures, on websites), you don't identify.
Children’s programs are often enjoyed by minority groups, as all the information is new
for them as well.
Language issues: use icons.
Organised tours: best through their organisations.
Participation and involvement: adoption project (birds, cows... so they get involved),
sponsoring for special trees, volunteer s for nature maintenance, school projects...
Communication: presentations about the project in their own organisations.
COMMENTS:
"A fisherman from Poland was always complaining he could not take the fish home. He could not
get used to putting them back."
"Sometimes, it’s the little things. We permitted barbecues in the parks and planted much more
trees and bushes with nuts to lure Turkish people out of their houses. And it worked."
“The 3rd generation of Moroccan and Turkish people behave exactly the same as Dutch people: the
social context is more important than the place where they come from.”
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TOURISTS
(Presentation by Dries Verclyte, Tourism Flanders)
WHICH QUALITIES ARE TOURISTS LOOKING FOR?
Nature-based tourism is primarily concerned with the direct enjoyment of some
relatively undisturbed phenomena of nature.
Aims: getting in touch with nature, escaping the stresses of daily life, and seeing
landscapes and wildlife.
Lifestyle and economic trends are in favour: there is a greater awareness now of
maintaining a healthy lifestyle than ever before.
Active experiences are highly desirable: cycling, hiking, horseback riding, hard adventure
sports, mountain biking, jogging, fishing, boat trips, kayaking, inline skating, motor sports,
bird watching...
Tourists want to enjoy the experience in a well-maintained natural environment.
Most people using nature want a simple recreation activity: horseback riding, kayaking,
cycling path...
WHAT KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE DO THEY NEED/LIKE?
Tourists want to get there, easily: provide clear maps on the website, provide signposts to
the park for people without GPS, create enough parking space at well-considered places,
cooperate with public transport.
Tourists want to receive information: create information points (practical information)
and visitor centres (information about the park, fauna & flora…).
Tourists want to be able to do what they came for. Provide good recreational
infrastructure: separate paths according to use (cycling, walking, mountain biking,
horseback riding...), clear signposting for each type of recreation (regulations of Tourism
Flanders), rental facilities (bikes, kayaks…), use for gadgets (iPhones, GPS...), eating &
sleeping in eco/bike/hiking friendly accommodation (Kallebeek).
Water recreation: Rupelmonde might be an interesting place to think about places to
attract water tourists. Create facilities for existing boating companies.
Offer a nice environment and enhanced recreational value. Watch towers, highlights that
give added value. Barefoot paths and educational routes are also attractive for active
families.
Name and theme your walking tours, so people know what they can expect to experience.
Place the visitor centre by the side of the road.
Give each information point its own character. Make sure that each point has basic
information, and its own facilities. One for parking lots, one for groups, one for nature
lovers...
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HOW TO REACH TOURISTS?
Tourists want to know you exist: good website, cooperation with tourist offices (local and
national) & organisations.
Good branding.
Cater to ‘accidental visitors’: people who are in Antwerp to see the historical city might be
happy coming here and spending (part of) the day in nature. Signage on the Antwerp Quay
Walls, ferry package...
Make sure cyclists know how to get to the area.
Provide signage that points people towards the rest of the area from harbours. People who
come by boat often have bicycles on board and like to explore the surroundings from their
mooring place.
COMMENTS:
“Is it possible to involve local artists? This way you have another link with the community.”
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Possible bottom-up art project in the polders of Kruibeke
Cosmogolem KBR
Artist Koen Vanmechelen and local cultural group 'tij dream of building a wooden Golem in the
polders of Kruibeke. The Golem, a large giant of wood with a height of approximately 8 meters, is
a symbol of the helper and the saviour for those children, who are in need of help, hope and
courage. Children can write their sorrows in little letters they can leave in the heart of the Golem.
This wood giant would possibly be built in the floodable part of the Polders of Kruibeke. There are
already 25 Golems in the world.
IMMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS & LOCAL COMMUNITIES
(Presentation by Johan Van Den Bosch, National Park Hoge Kempen)
WHICH QUALITIES ARE LOCAL COMMUNITIES LOOKING FOR?
Make sure local people can still recognise some aspects of the project site – change is
often met with resistance.
They want to be able to experience the area: viewpoints...
They want easy access to use the area for recreation, dog walking...
Create possibilities for participation: ‘ranger’ programs turn local people into
enthusiastic ambassadors for your project.
WHAT KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE DO THEY NEED/LIKE?
Some tracks need to go outside the area, leading visitors towards local restaurants, cafes,
pubs, etc. Spending stimulates local communities.
Give people quality paths and they will go where you want them to.
Visitor centre: if you start your visit at a visitor centre, you want to end up back there. So
maybe Bazel is the best location.
Plan a big parking lot.
Respect the history of the area in the project. The heritage can relive through
infrastructure names and branding.
The degree of accessibility is less important than the experience you offer. If people
get what they came for, they are happy.
Less is more: infrastructure is necessary, but also easily abused/misused/vandalised... If
permanent care is not possible, then place as few infrastructure elements as possible. Also
avoid sensitive technology.
HOW TO REACH LOCAL COMMUNITIES?
Translate technical information into a story people can get interested in.
Consider the needs of the broader area, for example parking space.
Integrate cultural and historical information in the project, for example in the names.
Find out which pastures had which names, and use them. Help locals to be proud of the
project: integrate the struggle and the opposition, the oral history.
Monitor your visitors and their spending patterns, with regards to future visitor
management. Have your monitoring plans ready.
Involve the local entrepreneurs and turn existing bars, restaurants & hotels into visitor
centres by providing all the information.
Make sure there is a link between the visitor centre and the image you want people to have
of your area.
Communicate what 's in it for them: the value of their houses increases, there will be
more bars, hotels, ... And of course the sheer beauty of the place.
Try to support the goals of local politicians: playgrounds, petting zoos, ...
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COMMENTS:
“The traffic issue is of marginal importance. Besides, you can’t control it. If people think the centre
of Bazel is prettier, they will go there anyway.”
“If you want to tell a story and you want people to represent your area, you need a name that
sounds good. People don’t want to represent an area that sounds like a problem.”
" A lot of people just go into the woods for the scenery"
"And there's nothing wrong with that"
"Indeed, and it's easier to steer. They will use your paths and trails. People really interested in
nature are much more difficult to manage."
" So in fact, it's the nature lovers that are the biggest threat to nature!" (hilarity)
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SENIOR CITIZENS
(Presentation by Martine De Beule, Okra)
WHICH QUALITIES ARE SENIOR CITIZENS LOOKING FOR?
Senior citizens want to be active: walking, biking… preferably in a safe environment.
Senior citizens are critical, desire quality, like their independence and freedom of choice.
They enjoy nature, culture, a peaceful environment.
WHAT KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE DO THEY NEED/LIKE?
Accessibility is key: how to get there (bus, bike, car, on foot, public transportation) +
safety of paths, roads…
Provide enough toilets (hygiene).
Reception infrastructure for groups: the bus must be able to pull up really close to the
centre, this has to be safe, they need a lot of time to get out. The restrooms should be
close by and fit for wheelchairs. You need space for at least a busload of people in the
cafeteria.
Plenty of resting places are advised, where they can enjoy the scenery. Provide garbage
bins at resting places.
Surfaces are important: grass and sand are difficult to walk & cycle on for many senior
citizens.
Loading points for electric bikes are advised.
HOW TO REACH SENIOR CITIZENS?
Clear information about the facilities at the visitor centre, online, in brochures at tourist
offices… How can they reach the area, is there public transportation, where are the parking
lots, is there enough space...?
Spread the word to all senior citizens organisations that there are events, activities,
facilities... It is also advised to work together with the senior citizens advisor of the
municipality.
Legible information panels are very important: don't make the letters too small.
Senior citizens have a lot of free time, and are eager to spend it well. They love to
volunteer in guided tours, excursions...
Social contacts are important: they like group activities.
Preferably plan activities in the mornings & early afternoons.
Use enough offline communication: not all senior citizens use the internet.
COMMENTS:
“There are 2 types of seniors: the mediors (50-65) and real seniors (70+), who come with rollators
and wheelchairs. The latter often come with two or three people. So there are two different target
groups, which you both want to attract.”
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SPORTS LOVERS
(Presentation by Alain Dillen, Nature and Forest Agency)
WHICH QUALITIES ARE SPORTS LOVERS LOOKING FOR?
Safety & comfort: the state of the paths, the distance to the water...
No hard recreation: no quads, motorcycles...
WHAT KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE DO THEY NEED/LIKE?
Accessibility: close parking.
Jogging: create a closed circuit (3km loop). Create shortcuts for people who are not in
great shape. Put up signage so runners know which distance they’ve covered. The ground
should be soft, maybe dolomite with clay topping. It's mainly done by locals. By providing a
podcast, you can deliver sports and information about your project. Start to run is VERY
popular.
Biking: cater to different groups. On-road: landscape lovers (slow), speed lovers (often
seniors). Off-road: mountain biking should be separate from normal biking. As natural as
possible. Mountain bikers want challenges: level differences, rough terrain... Signage &
loops.
Bike rental service near the ferry.
Swimming: outside of the area, for safety reasons.
Scuba diving: possible in the creeks, using permits and within boundaries.
Ice skating: investigate if it is possible to flood a meadow with just a little water, to avoid
accidents in more dangerous zones.
Fishing: 2 types, private and public. Visuals trails leading to fishing spots to minimise
impact.
Canoeing: possibility of loop.
Picnic spots are important, as are resting places along the routes.
No bins in the area. Everybody should take out their own garbage.
Small shelters could double as bird watching stations, permanent telescopes might be
interesting, some viewpoints as well.
Toilets: near parking spaces, inside visitor centres.
Walking trails: kids walks, barefoot paths, GR routes, wheelchair trails...
HOW TO REACH SPORTS LOVERS?
Information (gates & maps) at the ferry stops.
Multiple kinds of maps, with all the trails. Angling maps
Individual sports and recreation: information brochure.
Comments:
“You will need very close parking.”
“I don't think you should organise things like ice skating. There are too many risks involved. If
people do it in different areas or at their own initiative, it is not your responsibility.”
“Set up areas where dogs are allowed to walk freely, without leashes and fences. And make sure
people know where these areas are.”
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PRESENTATIONS VISITOR CENTRES & GATEWAYS
The second day of the STEP peer review meeting got off to an interesting start with two
presentations on visitor centres and gateways, which were vividly questioned and discussed by the
participants.
OOSTVAARDERSPLASSEN (BY THEO DE BRUIN)
INTRODUCTION
The Oostvaardersplassen were created some 50 years ago, when the land was claimed from the
sea. The area was originally intended as an industrial zone, but became a paradise for birds and
other wildlife. A railroad runs through it. The Oostvaardersplassen welcome about 100.000 visitors
per year, 7.000 people live around the area.
The Oostvaardersplassen consist of 3.000 hectares of water and marshes. Up to 2.500 deer roam
freely, as well as horses and cattle. There is no nature management in the area. In winter
starvation controls the number of animals, which might be cruel to see. The carcasses are not
removed: they stay put. It is the only area in Europe where this non-management is practised.
Animal welfare activists, biologists, and nature professors are closely monitoring the area, leading
to scientific returns. The city of Almere has big plans with the area, and is therefore initiating the
construction of a visitor centre.
VISITOR CENTRE: BRIEF OVERVIEW
Philosophy
The State Nature Agency views facilitating the experience of nature as the primary function of
visitor centres. They should organise people’s visits and have them in and out in about 20 minutes.
A visitor centre should attract 10% of all visitors: between 100.000 and 200.000 visitors per year.
The entrance to visitor centres is free. There are regular peaks in the holiday seasons and in
summer.
Target groups
The State Nature Agency is funded by the Ministry of agriculture, so there is a special goal to
appeal to primary schools. Every student should visit a visitor centre at least once. Other target
groups include citizens of nearby cities, scientists and ‘wilderness seekers’.
Functions
When considering a new centre, you need to start by looking at the qualities of the area and the
potential experiences and activities that you want to offer to the visitors. In this case, a focus on
enriching the visitor experience set out the guidelines for the visitor reception plan. These are the
functions appointed to the visitor centre:
Contact with the audience, generating interaction.
Meeting place.
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Place of transformation: step into the reality of the area.
Education, information.
Catering, visitor shop.
Place to find alternative (eco-friendly) transportation.
Parking space.
Starting point for field trips & excursions.
Science and nature study.
Lodging.
Office of district Flevoland.
Spatial translation
Permanent exhibition: 110m²
Temporary exhibition: 80m²
Entrance with shop & counter: 150m²
Multifunctional area (study & meetings): 240m²
Catering: 200m²
Office (5 rooms, 10 work stations): 100m²
Toilets: 25m²
Kitchen: 10m²
Storage shop: 20m²
Auditorium: 60m²
Traffic area: 30m²
Garage/storage: 60m²
Technical installation: 15m²
Total: 1.100m²
Economics
Initial investment: 4 million Euros.
Exploitation: 300.000 Euros per year, subsidized.
PPC
Catering outsourced.
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THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
The Oostvaardersplassen experience is based on the theory that recreation is a different reality.
There are five levels of immersion in this reality, which are instrumental in the choice of the right
facilities.
The five levels of immersion:
1. Amusement: other reality complementary to everyday reality (drinking a beer on the terrace).
2. Interruption: experience of the ‘other’ as a step out of everyday reality (like jogging, a bigger
step).
3. Interest: inspection of the ‘other’ reality.
4. Exaltation: step into the ‘other’ reality.
5. Devotion: absorbed in the ‘other’ reality.
Motive groups were identified based on this theory:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Socials (together with friends, having a good time, focus on themselves, not on nature)
Getting away (fill up battery, relax, calm down)
Looking for wilderness
Physical challenge seekers
The first two are not motivated by the quality of nature, but by relaxation. 3 and 4 are interested
in nature and they are the target groups of visitor centres, in the goals of the State Nature Agency.
Bird watchers, for example, are a nice example of type 4: they stay there for several hours, just to
see a special bird. For the State Nature Agency these groups are the most interesting, and
infrastructure is built for them. The wilderness seekers make up 35% of all visitors, while 2/3 of
the visitors belong to groups 1 and 2. Especially near the city, where the first two groups can make
up to 90% of the visitor total.
COMMENTS:
“Do we need to spend 5 million euros for people that visit the polders nearby? I am not hearing the
answer. What can they find here, that they cannot find anywhere else?”
“What worries me a little is that you just want to give information and you don't want to get people
involved. From a visitor point of view you want to create a community, you want them to
participate, you want to give them an experience.”
“When our visitor centre burnt down, we switched to a catering place, and a lot more people came
in. Even if they had to wait for two hours for a guided tour, they ate and stayed to wait. That had
never happened before.”
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THE BIESBOSCH GATEWAYS (BY MARIANNE DEN BRAVEN)
Jeroen Snickers wrote a doctoral thesis on the Biesbosch gateways. He made an inventory of the
general expectations that different motive groups have of gateways.
WHAT ARE GATEWAYS?
Locations with specific functions and facilities.
Functions: starting points of routes to visit the area, information on surroundings.
Facilities: parking lots, café/restaurant.
On the edge of nature.
WHY DO YOU NEED GATEWAYS?
To facilitate nature-oriented recreation.
For a better zoning, to protect nature and manage visitors.
TYPES OF GATEWAYS
Tourist information centres (outside the area).
Visitor centres.
Hosts.
Primary and secondary gates.
Virtual gateways.
PRIMARY GATEWAYS
Receive large amounts of visitors.
Facilities: information centre with reception service, parking lot, bar/restaurant/potentially
hotel, rental services.
Functions: destination (attraction, like exhibition), transfer site, education.
Primary gates have unique themes (sustainability/water/land/sports) and events.
SECONDARY GATEWAYS
Provide general information and addresses for who wants more info.
Using their own house style, combined with logo, flag or plate of National Park.
Offer some extras on top of the basic package.
Use the area’s USPs to attract more visitors.
BIESBOSCH CHARACTERISTICS
Active recreation (cycling, walking, water sports) vs. inactive recreation (sunbathing,
swimming, socialising).
Land vs. water recreation.
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Visitors: regional, senior citizens, families, special groups (kids, disabled people, ethnic
minorities). Many returns. No specific nature interest.
MOTIVE GROUPS AND THEIR NEEDS
Socials: family and friends (facilities, accessible, kids, tavern, picnic, signs).
Rest-seekers: rest and away (paths, routes, walking, cycling).
Interested: nature (information, excursions, signs, observation, walking, cycling).
Nature-lovers: alone (wilderness fruit pick, observation, information, nature).
Challenge-seekers: sports (sports facilities, accessibility, mountain biking, canoeing,
jogging, skating – large variation, e.g. jet-ski).
ALL MOTIVE GROUPS WANT (ALL GATES SHOULD HAVE THIS):
Space
Accessibility
Paths
Wood and open space / water (variation)
Primary focus on recreation for rest and nature
No noisy and fast recreation (jet-skis etc. outside park)
TOP 10 FACILITIES
Waste bin
Parking
Toilet
Place to rest/picnic
Pedestrian route
Cycling route
Beach/swimming
Playground
Signs
Rental
TOP 10 INFORMATION NEEDS
Nature protection
Biesbosch
Flora/fauna
Recreation
Routes
Sustainability
National parks
Maps
History/culture
Developments
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BASIC PACKAGE FOR GATEWAYS
Waste bin
Parking
Information panel
Bench
(Toilet)
SUSTAINABILITY IN GATEWAYS
In
In
In
In
In
In
building.
energy use and waste treatment.
excursions and local products.
attention for special groups, like disabled people.
transport: promotion of public transport, alternative transport.
education.
FINAL CONCLUSIONS
A gateway is a visible starting point for a visit to the area.
It contains at least: information, waste bin and parking space.
It also contains facilities to point visitors to the right recreational activities and to inform
them about nature protection.
Do not create gateways just for specific target groups.
Socials, rest seekers and challenge seekers need most attention.
New gateways: look at existing businesses and make them hosts. Not all existing
businesses are up for it, because guests go there anyway. New businesses are generally
more interested.
If there are no facilities, people go elsewhere.
Accessibility is key! Keep this in mind when designing new gateways.
Be inventive: a poorly used pedestrian route could become a popular Nordic walking route.
Investigate per location which type of education is most suited and valuable.
Focus on sustainable products.
Make your gateways trendy and fun.
Unique is good, but comes second. First of all the gateway has to fit its location.
Brand your gateways in a recognisable manner. Use common design elements.
Create virtual gateways as well.
COMMENTS:
“There are two things every visitor wants. We call it Tea and
a pee.”
(picture from the open air exhibition the team visited on the
last day)
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ICT TOOLS
The last presentation of the STEP peer review meeting was given by Buro Kloeg, experts in
communication about nature and recreation. The presentation started off on a philosophical note:
“When we ask people to describe a flower, people tend to use characteristics that they possess
themselves. Which is one of our principles: when we learn about nature, we learn about ourselves.
You learn best through experience. We are appealing to three things: head, heart and hands.”
More practical, then:
SIX GROUPS OF NEW MEDIA
AUDIOPUMP
A device that requires action in order to produce sound. “You use your
feet to hear something, so you are physically involved.” Any sound can be
played, using a USB-stick: a nature sound, a story... The AudioPump
stimulates the imagination of children and grown-ups. It can be built into
a tree, or customized. (From 5000 Euros, incl. AudioPump, copywriting,
voice actor, customizing...)
MP3 PLAYER
You can use MP3-players as an audio guide. Tell a personal story.
Expand on the general information. The storytelling stimulates the
imagination. You can offer the audio files on your website, so visitors can
download them in advance and install them on their own player and play
it on the location. If they forget to do this, they cannot listen to the story.
It drives people to your website. You can also offer the files (or players) in
your visitor centre.
SMS TEXT AND AUDIO
Visitors can send a code to a number and within a
few seconds receive a text. You can play with this:
you can have a historical figure call people back,
or play them a bird sound... The SMS system can
be updated and changed very simply. You
absolutely have to inform people about the cost,
otherwise they will be hesitant to use the offer.
The good thing is that everybody has a cell phone,
so it is an easy way to get acquainted with new
technologies. Of the essence: no promotion,
no success. A good example is the looking pole:
it draws the attention, creates a focus on the
landscape and lets the SMS code catch your eye.
This is demand driven technology: who wants the
extra information, can get it.
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GPS HIKING AND BIKING
Visitors enjoy finding their way from coordinate to coordinate. It’s like a
treasure hunt. You can hand out the device in the visitor centre. Some
people have GPS systems on their cell phones, and their number will
increase very fast.
GPS GAMING EXPERIENCE TRAIL
Learning by playing. For example: ‘Superboom’. Children get really
excited when they are playing this game. They have to help ‘Superboom’
save the planet by finding characteristics. While playing, they learn about
their environment. Like they would in a video game, they walk around
with a GPS device and when they enter a zone, new information and
questions pop up. When they give the right answer, they are given tips
for the next waypoints. There are already different ‘Superboom’ spots in
Holland. (From 25.000 Euros, incl. Copywriting, devices, illustrations...)
QR CODES
Some cell phones can read a 2-dimensional bar code. When visitors take
a picture with the phone, they are redirected to whatever message you
want. They do need an internet connection, a QR reader and camera on
their cell phone. You can put the codes on anything: boxes, lantern poles...
It is very mysterious and people like to try new things. You can make a QR
code yourself with the free online QR generator and decide what you want it
to link to.
The younger generation will pick up this technology very quickly. But you still have to put up
traditional information. If you just link to your website, it should be adapted for mobile phones.
You have to think about who is receiving the information. If you link to a PDF-file, the phone needs
a PDF reader.
LAYAR
This is a kind of extra dimension, augmented reality. When
visitors use their phone’s camera and look at their
surroundings, extra information will pop up. The
information is attached to the surroundings. This can be
anything: a house for sale, tourist information... You can
chose your own ‘layars’, like nature, or visitor
infrastructure. Layar.com gives fast information. This is
one of the latest technologies. Watch it, follow it, but do
not develop it yet.
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OUR EXPERIENCE
There are a lot of brand new technologies and people are not familiar with them. You have
to explain and promote if you want people to use them. You can offer them a choice: mix
traditional with new information.
You always need early adopters. The first cell phone users were laughed at, but now
everybody has one. These things will evolve very quickly.
Be specific about your target group. Storytelling is great, for instance, but you should link
each story to the specific target group. It works best when embedded in other means.
The GPS game is widely beloved: teachers take their classes into nature, teaching them
about the GPS, but also about the project. 10-12 year-olds pick it up in 5 minutes and love
using it.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Keep it simple. Nature lovers are not really ICT-minded.
Use technology that is available everywhere.
Get on the train. You will learn by doing and profit from your experience. And take the next
step when you are ready.
COMMENTS:
"It's going faster then we think. 90% of the population is using the internet. Almost everybody has
a cell phone. In 3 years smartphones will be normal."
“We did want the technology to avoid too many signs. But if you need to put up a sign telling
visitors we have Layar, there is no point.”
JOINT STUDY
After the presentation on ICT tools, the partners decided to develop a ‘GPS gaming experience
trail’ together, an educational game along the lines of the aforementioned ‘Superboom’. The game
should be suitable for all three the areas. The idea will be developed further over the course of the
next few months.
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A VISITOR CENTRE FOR THE POLDERS OF KRUIBEKE?
Since the expert presentations took longer than expected, the discussion about the visitor center
was held during the visit to the open air art exhibition at Altena castle. The STEP team was invited
there by the municipality. Also during lunch, insights were collected and shared.
NEED FOR A VISITOR CENTRE
The polders of Kruibeke are a local project, especially when compared to the Biesbosch and
The Broads. Do you really need a visitor centre for that?
Do you need a gateway to the Sigmaplan? You are already telling the Sigma story now,
during the works.
You need added value: what experience are you offering your visitors? If you can't offer
that, a visitor centre outside existing bars and shops has no point.
Spend time to think about your target groups and their level of immersion (see p. 21). Then
decide if you need a visitor centre or if you can satisfy their desires by cooperating with the
community.
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LOCATION
Four possible locations were identified, each with its pros and cons:
VISTOR CENTRE SCHELDELEI
+ easy to reach from the highway
close to an interesting educational part of the polder
close to the sluices, the main attraction (be sure to make an experience out of them)
good accessibility: road, water, public transport
possibility to build a nice gateway
-
at the moment not an attractive gateway
at the moment not a place where many tourists/recreation seekers go
deserted location, so scary at night?
VISITOR CENTRE CASTLE IN BAZEL
+ existing infrastructure
strong cultural connection to the region
nicely located in one of the 'nicest towns of Flanders'
-
bad accessibility
no parking lot
will attract more motorised traffic to the centre of Bazel
VISITOR CENTRE BY FERRY IN BAZEL
+ next to a ferry stop: close connection to water
very nice view
excellent location for restaurant/tavern
known point for tourists/recreation seekers
good starting point for exploring the area
possibility to build a nice gateway
parking lot in place
ideal location for small overnight stays
-
in the middle of the project site: possibly bad for nature goals
will attract more motorised traffic to the centre of Bazel
VISITOR CENTRE BY FERRY IN RUPELMONDE
+ next to a ferry stop: close connection to water
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-
very bad accessibility over land
not enough parking space
city centre is oriented away from the riverside; you need a fundamental redesign to make
the place attractive
VISITOR CENTRE STAFF
Staff costs are higher than construction costs. So it needs to be clear what you expect from
the staff members and what their targets are.
If you decide on cooperating with local hosts, you need to train them. The Broads has an
education system called 'welcome hosts' to educate people about the opportunities of the
project for its surroundings.
Volunteers can be trained as well. By giving them training and a uniform, they feel
connected to the program. In the Broads, they are called 'rangers'. They like that title.
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ROUND-UP
GOALS
The goal of the peer review meeting was to think about and discuss various elements of
sustainable visitor management, with regards to the future recreational and tourist potential of the
polders of Kruibeke:
Gateways and accessibility
Visitor centre functions & locations
Target groups & their needs
ICT tools for visitor experiences
Also on the agenda: determining a theme for the joint study to be undertaken by the STEP
partners.
SUMMARY
By means of a GPS exploration, the participants became familiar with the polders of Kruibeke and
the way they are embedded in their surroundings.
They then gathered in working groups to discuss the needs of various target groups: minority
groups, tourists, immediate surroundings & local communities, senior citizens and sports lovers.
The workshop demonstrated that there are more similarities and overlaps than differences between
these groups and their needs.
Presentations on visitor centres and gateways made it clear that is better to think about visitors in
terms of motive groups: by determining motivation, it is easier to create suitable experiences and
infrastructure.
The potential uses of ICT tools for the creation of outdoor experiences (SMS walks, QR codes,
Layar...) were not met with great enthusiasm. The principle of a ‘GPS gaming experience trail’,
however, interested and inspired the participants.
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CONCLUSIONS
The peer review meeting provided lots of thinking points and suggestions for future infrastructure
and ways of opening up the polders of Kruibeke.
No final conclusions were reached on the actual necessity of a visitor centre for the polders of
Kruibeke. The area will most likely attract mainly local people, and it is not yet certain that the
large investment required for a visitor centre is justifiable.
The input provided by the peer review meeting will be used in the visitor reception plan study
currently being undertaken. The first results are expected in May.
The partners agreed on a subject for the joint study: they will look into the possibilities of
developing a ‘GPS gaming experience trail’. This will be an educational game that can be played in
all three of the areas, using GPS devices.
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LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
PARTICIPANTS
Sam Bates
Jeroen Bryon
Bert De Doncker
Hans De Preter
Jan De Ryck
Peter De Wilde
Marianne den Braven
Bruce Hanson
Lucy Harris
Patty Kanselaar
André Lardon
Tom Maes
Stefaan Nollet
Fred Panjer
Tina Stroobandt
Timothy Vanaght
Wim Van Hooff
Laurent Vanden Abeele
Mieke Vander Elst
Guus Verhors
Miriam Vermeij
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SPEAKERS
Martine De Beule
Theo De Bruin
Alain Dillen
Ronald Mol
Pleun Schaeffer
Johan Van Den Bosch
Dries Verclyten
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