regrow Rozeneiland

SITE : Utrecht, NL
TEAM : Flore Raimbault & Noa Peer
EUROPAN 10
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// Regeneration: giving a new nature to the existing one, by giving a new function.

The studied area is already part of a strong identity district, but the existing issues reveal a lack of an exterior catalizator which could incite regeneration.

// Regeneration: transforming, not destroying

According to the United Nation’s Kyoto Protocol that came into force in 2005, Utrecht is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions of 6% by 2012.

// In 2030, Utrecht aims to become neutral in carbon.

With 295 000 inhabitants, Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands, and with its strategical emplacement, Utrecht is also considered as a central city. We can therefore consider it is to continue enlarging itself.

// Since ever, the Netherlands have been taming nature in order to keep a constant balance. Putting the picturesque forward is all time cultural habit in the dutch life. Today urbanization is invading the rural and natural landscape of the Netherlands, putting the balance on the risk line.


- How could we stop this?

In today’s cities, living is ‘ready made’ – the origins and destinations of daily products and consumption have been put aside. Everything as well as architecture is used to conceal the way things operate and is subdividing each and every one of us to a specific task. After such a chain of distribution the original is never to be found.

// Utrecht is in the green heart of the Netherlands. This green heart, or perhaps better lungs of the Netherlands, is rapidly invaded by the urban world, creating again a fast disconnection between nature and the cities. This balance between the urban and the rural had once the time to stabilize itself while keeping a reasonable evolution. But as the World becomes smaller, everything operates faster, too often to the expense of this balance.


- How can we help reinstore this specific balance with its surrounding nature?

- How, with this specific site, can we help Utrecht reach its ecological goal through 2030?

// The study site, characterized by post war solution of social housing in cities is physically (due to its architecture) highly withdrawn from the city centre of Utrecht. By using the district as a tool in making Utrecht a Carbon zero city, it will first become autarkic; introverting the site will reinforce the identity that will eventually attract the city to adapt the same lifestyle.

:: kanaleneiland-noord land use

- How can we make it possible?

// Revealing the source and destination of the system that we consume everyday.

- How?

Using natural resources such as solar, hydro and vegetal will not only provide the energy needs for everyday life but will re-instore the social balance within the neighborhood.

Site analyses

- 30% unemployment
- 30% young -18
- 80% social housing
- 80% immigrants

even though the extreme architecture of the 60’s segregate the district form the rest of the city, it is legible.
The public space exists but is not sharing any specific function or interest, covered with green carpet and banal interventions.

// Why not give each resident the right of their own piece of land? The freedom of doing whatever they wish with it? Giving them the beneficial effect of nature – planting a tree, growing carrots and tomatoes or just sitting on your grass covered with flowers – every one gets its piece of magic.


// Scales: Macro through micro

:: plan northern intervention area

We believe it is by working on the micro scale that one can help improve the macro scale. Revealing how, by using the study area as a micro scale base to help the
macro, the city of Utrecht and then the Netherlands in reaching it’s goals, our first aim.

// Recreating a social value on the study area will improve the identity of the district, and therefore its role in the city.

:: section northern intervention area