In 2040 Almere's core will be more urban, livelier and greener. Felixx + PosadMaxwan realized the development vision for the Heart of the City commissioned by the municipality. Densification is used for greening. The Nature Based Solutions system connects programmatic agendas with the ecological basis of Almere. The special location around a large open water, together with a network of canals and parks, creates a unique urban landscape for living, working, learning and recreation. The Development Vision has been approved by the Board.
Climate challenge of today and tomorrow
Almere distinguishes itself with its multi-city structure, rooted in the principle of the "Garden City. The green-blue framework that characterizes the city formed the basis for its development as a garden city. For the first time in Almere's history, the urban area has been infilled, transformed and densified on a larger scale. By using Nature Based Solutions as a guiding principle, a completely different map of the city is created. The green-blue framework is extended into the capillaries of the center. Buildings and public space are merged into one adaptive urban landscape. The Weerwater becomes the beating heart of a vast ecosystem, with maximum ecosystem services.
Development challenge in city and region
Almere will grow from 220,000 to 350,000 residents in the next thirty years, a boost to both the city and regional housing needs. Densifying the Heart of the City is crucial to achieving a suitable center. Almere has one of the least populated centers in the Netherlands but has an intercity train station and many amenities. The number of housing units will be increased to revitalize the city center. At least 5,000 additional housing units will be added between 2020 and 2030, with a potential of 15,000 units by 2050. This ambitious task aims to strengthen the economic vitality of downtown, add amenities and make public spaces more attractive and green. The goal is to create a vibrant and sustainable city center that remains future-proof in the changing climate.
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Almere in 2040
The Heart of the City forms the economic, social and cultural center of Almere and is connected to the region through various connections. Urban public transport hubs are optimally used to densify the Heart of the City with living, working, education and facilities. It builds on the structure and DNA of Almere, a city based on water and nature. Unique is the centrally located Weerwater with its shores and various green areas. It is an ecological treasure trove and a source of purified swimming water. The stage for numerous events and activities. The link between various parts of the education and innovation district on the two sides of the water.
On the north side of the Heart of the City, the water is never far away. Stadswetering Park has been constructed and surrounds the downtown area. It is the green carrier of the Station District, with many homes, entrepreneurs and (cultural) facilities. On the south side, varied surrounding forests define the natural identity of the new Forest District. In this live/work area, people study and work on innovations, healthy environments and circular systems. The Forest Park on the A6 is an attractive place to live and work, connecting the major landscapes present. By applying natural solutions in the development of the Heart of the City, Almere in 2040 can show how cities benefit from cooperation with the natural environment.
Nature-Powerful Cities
The development vision is nothing less than a paradigm shift. No longer is the development task opposed to the climate task. Area development and nature development can go hand in hand, provided it is done with sufficient attention to water and soil and the existing ecosystem. As the Board of State Advisors point out in their agenda "The 22nd century begins now," the classic legend of spatial planning is given many more shades of color, than the red of the city, the yellow of agriculture, the green of nature and the blue of water. By actively looking for the synergies, more flexibility, dynamism, stratification and quality emerge in our living environments. The Nature-Based City is more than the sum of its parts, by activating different ecosystem services in places where they have the greatest effect: in our cities.
We hope that the Development Vision Nature-Based Heart of the City provides inspiration, and encourages more cities to use Nature-Based Solutions as a guiding tool. The Development Vision can be downloaded using the button below.
