central almere

CENTRAL ALMERE
A STRATEGIC VISION
AECDP
AEC
DP I St
Strat
Strategic
rategi
rat
egic
c Visi
V
Vision
ision
on Alm
Almere
ere 2.0
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SUMMARY
page
THE CONTEXT
4
LIVING BY THE WATER
9
CROSSING THE A6
13
ORGANIZING THE POLES
17
COMPLETING THE LOOP
23
POWERLINES
39
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AECDP I Strategic Vision Almere 2.0
THE CONTEXT
ACDP and Almere 2.0
The Atelier Christian de Portzamparc in association with the Werkmaatschappij Almere Centrum
Weerwater (WACW) worked on a strategic vision for the Almere Weerwater zone, and in particular
the area south of the Weerwater.
The goal is to propose a strategic vision for the future development for Almere in the
optic of 2020 and also for a long term development. This strategic vision was to take in
account a certain number of elements like the social and economic context as well as
a strong environmental situation. These elements where then to be associated with an
urbanistic vision of the territory imagined for the occasion by Christian de Portzamparc
and his team.
Christian de Portzamparc already knew the Almere Centrum zone for he had created
a building, Citadel, on the Rem Koolhaas master plan in 2007. Almere Centrum is the
economic center of the region and is concentrated in one main zone; the rest of the tissue is composed mainly of residential and forest areas.
The goal in this particular situation was to attach this economic center with the southern part of
the Weerwater by taking in consideration that the actual A6 motorway was to be lowered and put
on ground level and doubled. The intervention on the A6 is a wonderful opportunity to help the city
of Almere in developing the southern part of the Weerwater.
Almere is only situated at 23 kilometers from Amsterdam
therefore offering a very attractive proposition for
commuters and businesses.
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The First Steps in the analysis’s
From the start of the project the Atelier Christian de Portzamparc studied the territory, the
expectations and the main goals for the future development. These goals correspond with some
of the concepts and urban strategies worked on by Christian de Portzamparc throughout his
career and mainly raise the challenges that will later become the major guidelines for the future
work.
In the first analysis made by Christian de Portzamparc in June 2011 four points were
raised and made priorities. The first one being the urban connection with the existing
tissue and the future tissues created. This connection is to be a sort of “chain of life”
providing a new amount of dwellings, shops and office space. The mixity in these zones
is extremely important for the dynamical side of the development but it also raises the
problem of the crossing of the A6.
Technical problems and noise pollution makes it very difficult to build housing close to the A6.
The second point of the strategic vision is the theme of living by the water. For this subject the
Agency worked on a special type of housing that adapts itself to the site. The Weerwater being an
exceptional element the agency thought best to develop housing around it and offer a privileged
quality of living that are today absent around the borders of the lake.
The third point that seemed important is the integration of the De Steiger area that
is situated on the north/south axis. This industrial zone offers a strategic location in
the development of Almere and it felt impossible to leave it as it is and not offer a
transformation. Its program is to be defined later in function of the needs of the zone
but it was clear that it was in the middle of the future development and could not remain
untouched.
The fourth and last point was the question of the covering of the A6 motorway. Throughout the
study many elements came in confrontation with one another, some being on an economic point of
view and others on a development point of view. The main difficulty was going to be compromising
both of them.
Later on, in September 2011, Christian de Portzamparc drew yet another sketch of
Almere. The intention is not to replace the priorities but to add new ones. The first
one to be added is the intention to create a complete pedestrian Loop around the
Weerwater. This would connect the different development zones and would also be the
easiest one to start off with.
The second intention is the development of the theme on living by the water but this
time adding the revalorization of the existing beaches and underlining their importance
in the development of Almere.
The third intention is the crossing of the A6 motorway and exploring the different possibilities.
Some being bridge buildings, glass domes or just plain bridges.
The fourth and main intention is the installation of a major equipment in the south east district
close to castle. This theme reinforces the first intention to create a tension between the City
Center and two new zones on either side of southern Weerwater.
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LIVING BY THE WATER
As mentioned before, for this site, a new type of dwellings was created and developed.
The Atelier respected the dimensions and the open block theory used frequently when
developing an urban tissue (a block of 60m by 90m) but decided to use the existing natural environment to define the spaces. In many cases the Weerwater would penetrate
into the blocks and become part of the public spaces. The habitants of the block would
have the possibility to access their homes on small boats therefore creating a certain
dynamic on the Weerwater itself. The different levels would work as terraces providing
a private balcony for all and also a clear view on the Weerwater and the Almere skyline.
The blocks are to be of very low density and with a mixed program. The main activities
along with the parking are based street side.
But the intention of this solution is not to block the access to the water but to embellish the water
front and improve the connection with the Weerwater. To continue in this direction a pedestrian
deck is proposed all around the future loop and the open blocks are alternated with green spaces
to preserve a natural feeling.
The other type of dwellings resembles the more classical open block. Still with the 60 by 90 dimensions, the theme is more orientated towards living in a green and mixed environment. The
block has a slightly higher density but still preserves the qualities of daylight distribution, high
quality public spaces and good orientation. Main activities and parking are once again lined up
along the main streets.
A new typologie
Drawing by Christian de Portzamparc
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AECDP I Strategic Vision Almere 2.0
“Placing a major building above the motorway would
create a signal for all motorists coming from both
directions”
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CROSSING THE A6
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CROSSING THE A6
As mentioned before the subject of crossing the A6 is not only a major stake for the development of Almere
but also has a big economic impact. To cover totally the entire section of the A6 would demand a large
investment so the task undertaken by the agency was to explore different solutions possible. Throughout a
certain number of scenarios the Atelier offered possibilities of crossing but always in the optic of preserving
a chain of activity and this way breaking the barrier created by the existing A6. The ideal solution would of
course be the covering of the whole section for it would allow a maximum development for the whole area.
One of the solutions was a bridge building combining a transport Hub at the base and mixed activity in the
core (offices, shops…). Its situation in the Almere master plan would be great signal and visual impact for the
city. This solution would also allow the crossing the A6 without having to cover entirely.
ALMERE NORD
ALMERE NORD
LOISIRS
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AECDP I Strategic Vision Almere 2.0
Proposal for the Castle Area
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FLORIADE
Floriade is the biggest flower festival in the world and part of the Atelier Christian de Portzamparc mission was
to study the possibility of hosting the festival in Almere in 2022. Floriade needs roughly a superficy of roughly
70 acres and large development possibilities. The Weerwater zone, especially in the southern part, offers
precisely these criteria’s. And with the presence of the A6 and the will to develop, Almere offers a perfect
candidacy. And the arrival of this type of international festival could be a great financial contribution to Almere
and a big boost in the urban development. Indeed, if well planned, the installations and the infrastructures
that would be used for this 10 month event could easily be preserved after the departure.
During Floriade
After Floriade
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