Thoughts on Rotterdam-Zuid Part 2

Image source: De Urbanisten, De veilige en goed ingepaste hoofdwaterkering in Rotterdam

Rotterdam is split in two halves by the Maas. This river is not only a big source of income for the city, it is also a threat. The Global Warming is causing a rapidly raising waterlevel, that, according to some experts, will threat the city with floods. Rotterdam is protected by the Maeslantkering, a big reconfigurable structure that closes during heavy springtides. Recently has been concluded that this structure has a pretty big fall-out percentage. This is an extra danger for the city. The dikes are not on the edges of the Maas. Big pieces of land that are outside the dikes are used for industry, agriculture, housing or whatever functions.

1. Doklaan
2. Hilledijk
3. Stadionpark

Due to the rising waterlevel, an advise has been given to raise the dikes. This is quite a big intervention. A dike a little bit like an iceberg: the biggest part is underneath the surface. To raise the dike, the slope of the structure has to stay the same, so the amount of volume that has to be added is more than it seems at the first sight. With the raising the dike, there also arises a physical barrier. Currently there is a project going on in Rotterdam to create multifunctional dykes, the so called 'trapdijk' (terrace dyke).
The stadium has to be built next to the dike. It can be used as a dyke, or be built on the dike. When the whole stadium is designed as a ringdike (left), the barrier towards the sportpark is removed. However, the barrier towards the surrounding neigbourhoods is a potential danger. Another option is to raise the current dyke and incorporate it in the stadium