Report on "Living with Water" Webinar,

Recently we joined a Zoom presentation from Rotterdam, in conjunction with the Singapore Centre for Liveable Cities.  The discussion examined the urban design solutions for working and living that enable engagement in public places as well as ensure good management of climate change challenges.

In capitalising on the existing natural, lived, and built environment, the city of Rotterdam has focussed on innovations according to criteria for projects to be compact, healthy, circular, inclusive, and productive.  The approaches and outcomes sought over eight city projects highlight principles and constructions adopted through consultation. 

Denise Reghenzani-Kearns PhD
Associate, PASCAL International Observatory.

Liveable Cities Webinar – Living with Water

In this age of COVID-19, we have been looking at issues around well-being, including the “green lungs” of a city, and how innovative solutions can help residents engage through public places to meet, exercise, meditate, explore and recreate.  Urban design that enables this, by also reducing pollution and heat stress, to harvesting little (or managing the surfeit of it) rainfall has provided a way towards greening our living and working environments.

Within the EcCoWell 2 Community Recovery Program, Bernadette Connolly added to this endeavour with Briefing Paper 5 - Harnessing environment policy & practice for a sustainable future.  International policy and local level initiatives by the city of Cork’s Environment Forum were documented: http://lcn.pascalobservatory.org/sites/default/files/eccowellbp5.pdf.

Complementing this leadership, we were interested to see that the Centre for Liveable Cities in Singapore offered a Zoom gathering on Living with Water: Lessons from Singapore and Rotterdam, in adapting to future climate change impacts.

While the nature and tempo (social, cultural, and physical) of these cities are diverse and in different hemispheres, the webinar provided key principles, approaches, insights, and solutions that informed strategies to meet immediate challenges.

Rotterdam

City projects were the visible cornerstones of addressing the pandemic, and to enhance the economy, resilience, health, and wellbeing of constituents.  Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb outlined seven projects with principles to ensure they used existing and important places that would create iconic, integral, and stimulating environments holistically across city environs.  All projects meet the city criteria of being compact, healthy, circular, inclusive, and productive.  His comments are summarised as follows:

1. At a previously fragmented transport hub/urban junction, a major strengthening of infrastructure is in place to develop attractive recreational areas and real estate of quality for those who live in the area, travellers, and regional visitors.  Aspects also include making the hub more ‘circular’ with pedestrian connectivity, more space for cyclists, more outdoor worker environments, better water/green structures, and potential densification for living.
2. Modernist post-WWII reconstruction design of a square that became over-dominated by vehicular traffic, led to a re-examination for a balanced flow model that also transformed the central and iconic fountain into a larger, green, park area.  Wider walkways along building facades are intended to increase foot traffic with access to the fountain via wider zebra crossings at each corner and the middle of the square for diagonal movement also.
3. A boulevard in the city centre now has reduced car lanes, creating additional space for cyclists, pedestrians, and other forms of mobility access.  These new spaces make optimum use of the sunny side.  Noise reduction, greater shade spots, improved water storage, increased soft landscaping, rooftop gardens and use of the “freed-up” boulevard for people use is achieving a “cooling zone” in the city.
4. The dream of converting a former railway viaduct (a listed monument) is to be realised to become a two-kilometre long park linking densely populated city districts.  It provides a living environment for people to spend time, encourages active exercise/games/sports, and is a resource for residents without former access to green space.  It is an obstacle-free walking route that links urban places and neighbourhoods, as well as providing new access to work concentrations.  It answers the green/blue city structure intent of seeking greater biodiversity.
5. A large and many treed park on different levels is for city dwellers and the adjoining port/river districts.  There are lawns, fields, walking/cycling routes for multi-function uses, and activities in and around the park to attract visitors.  A square links metro station to the boulevard, with the park segueing between all.  Elevation provides views and a transition from the park to tidal waters takes a gradual, close-to-nature experience along a designed border of different types of plants.
6. Rotterdam’s main square was redesigned 21 years ago and despite positive architectural recognition, many local users found it bare, slippery, and with little to experience.  Collaborative modifications and programs ensued for more trees, better walking paths, chairs/benches, the “flying grass carpet” and events.  However, renovations to this and the car park below are now needed to meet new sustainability standards (such as the car park to include bicycle space, heat/cold exchange, water storage, etc.) and make it a cultural and climate-neutral showcase.
7. Reimagining historic quays, industrial infrastructure, and beautiful views are being realised with a new part of the city centre developing high rise bordering an 8-hectare city park around and on the harbour basin.  A park, with a city beach, will float in the harbour.  New homes and towers with all amenities for living and working are underway on partially reclaimed land.  It is a functional blend for living and business activity in an active, yet tranquil environment.
8. There is a new hub/city development purposefully surrounding a football stadium and railway station with housing, restaurants, offices, and social programs featured, as well as considerable greening added.  A slow traffic network is due to be implemented in strengthening the connection between water/land, nature/city.  Adjoining a tidal habitat, the intertidal wildlife and flora are being capitalised upon with a new park that is foreseen to generate social and economic value-adds with recreational ecology facets and an experiential, knowledge laboratory on the resources of this area.

Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore

The chief objective of the Centre is to distil, create and share knowledge on liveable and sustainable cities.  It is geared to urban development to meet current and future challenges for Singapore and other cities: https://www.clc.gov.sg/who-we-are/what-we-do.

In terms of capacity development, the Centre conducts practitioner-oriented training, researches, runs learning events and advises on infrastructure planning and management to developing cities.  For example, the Centre hosts Urban Systems Studies and compiles international city case studies that address emerging to anticipated challenges.  In looking towards solutions, a Liveability Framework guides the local and global outlook.

The Centre shares knowledge and cultivates thought leadership on liveable and sustainable cities through the flagship World Cities Summit: https://www.worldcitiessummit.com.sg/.  The next Summit is scheduled for 20-24 June 2021 on the theme Liveable and Sustainable Cities: Adapting to a Disruptive World.

We express appreciation for the foresight and internationalism in making practices real.

Denise Reghenzani-Kearns PhD
PASCAL International Observatory Associate