View our partners by clicking on their name below //
Partner: Schouwen-Duiveland
Due to European and national legislation traditional economic activities, especially professional fishing, are under pressure. The function of the traditional harbours is declining.
Because of the issue of climate change, the way to deal with our coastal defence is under discussion and subject of many studies. An important matter is how to deal with our coastal defence in relation to climate change and how to combine it with other new ways of use in a climate proof way. The transformation of the coastal zone also can help to generate new economic input. This transformation has to be done very careful. Not only because of the special facts and circumstances of the water area, but also because of the identity of the inland, especially the cities and villages. In most cases the historical value and the cultural heritage is of a high value. Technical measurements and new investments have to be carried out in a way that fits in the special atmospheres of the present area.
The former isle of Schouwen-Duiveland in the northern part of the province of Zeeland, the Netherlands, is surrounded by water. On the west side by the North Sea, on the south side by the National Park Oosterschelde, on the north and east side by the Lake Grevelingen.
Development
The main part of the border of the isle is only used for coastal defence and consists of hard coastal defence bodies. The spatial development of the isle is, also due to the Flood of 1953, orientated inland and not to the waterside.
The Lake Grevelingen and the Oosterschelde gain substantially on ecological and natural value. That can be noticed when you sail at Lake Grevelingen or the Oosterschelde. The porpoise is back in these waters, also the Sepia and Seals and there is a very rich underwater life with many species of fish, plants, etc. Because of the increase of the ecological and natural value of the area it is very popular by tourists and visitors.
Because of all the developments, now is the time to examine how spatial development and new economic activities can be orientated to the water instead of to the inland. In this project we will focus on the transformation of urban maritime coastal area in the old city of Zierikzee.
The overall aim of this activity is to improve the physic and functional connections between the water and the hinterland for living, working and leisure activities, For as well tourists as inhabitants. Therefore, the spatial quality of the concepts has to be at a high level, but also deal with issues like climate chance, new economic functions in the area, respect for the historical values and cultural heritage, etc.
For Zierikzee two master plans will be made to improve the accessibility of the centre of the city and enlarge the attractiveness of the marina area of the city. The master plans are a derivation of the overall urban development plan of Zierikzee, as established by the council in 2002.
One master plan will focus on the old commercial harbour “’t Sas” and the surrounding area, to create a new entrance to the city, right to the harbours and centre of the town. The alteration of the area ‘t Sas will create a physic, functional and attractive connection between the historical centre of Zierikzee and the area of harbour ‘t Sas, that has to be transformed from old commercial harbour into a leisure marine area. One of the main goals is to create an extension from the city to the outskirts of the town and to extend the duration of stay of the visitors.
The other master plan focuses on the heart of the city as a connection from the harbours to the centre. The master plans strengthen the unique selling points of Zierikzee, the cultural and historical attractiveness and the leisure activities in the city. As a pilot some infrastructural investments will take place in the harbour by creating a small amount of berths or pontoons for boats for special purposes (for instance fishing boats or whispering rental boats). Another pilot will take place in the city centre.
Havenplein will be transferred in a residential zone; a square for terraces, kiosks, events and a nice area to stay. The connection will be made with the maritime historical and present activities in Zierikzee. The infrastructural investments will be supported by arrangements and events, announced in an agenda
Concrete output and results
