Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
On July 3, the final exhibition of DOWN TO EARTH, the 9th edition of the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam, will open at the Biesboschhal in Dordrecht. THE HIGH GROUND, curated by chief curator George Brugmans, shows how Dordrecht's water safety agenda can be leveraged for the Drechtsteden 2030 Growth Agenda and Dordrecht's sustainability ambitions.
Dordrecht is a city, but it is also an island. And that Island of Dordrecht is very vulnerable to flooding due to its location in the transition area of sea and rivers. 600 years after the legendary Sint-Elisabethflood, the city is still vulnerable to flooding, which is why Dordrecht is constantly working to improve its protection against water. Water safety has the highest possible priority.
The Staart -the outer dike and higher district of Dordrecht, now an isolated area with many problems and few prospects- provides a safe haven, and can accommodate many evacuees in the event of a flood.
The IABR-Atelier Dordrecht, with lead designer Adriaan Geuze (West 8), researched over the past two years how the future need to be able to provide mass shelter for evacuees on De Staart at any time in the event of a major flood can be used now when working on the current task, the sustainable urban development of this area. Water safety as a lever.
The results are presented in the exhibition THE HIGH GROUND, compiled by the chief curator of DOWN TO EARTH, George Brugmans. These results show well that De Staart can play an unexpectedly important role in realizing the Dordrecht water safety agenda. If water safety is chosen here as a lever approach, opportunities suddenly arise for the sustainable development of an attractive residential and work area. With new forms of housing, water-safe facilities, innovative work concepts and a special tidal park on the river. All in harmony with nature and with new connections for slow traffic that can also serve as escape routes.
On De Staart, Dordrecht can kill several birds with one stone: increase water safety while building housing and stimulating employment, optimize connections in the city and with the region, and increase the quality of life and recreational opportunities for all residents. With water safety as a leverage point, the opportunity map of De Staart presented in THE HIGH GROUND reads like an unmissable chance to make a serious contribution here to the Drechtsteden 2030 Growth Agenda and Dordrecht's sustainability ambitions.
For more information on THE HIGH GROUND, click here
