Rotterdam, Water City 2035
The city of Rotterdam is confronted with four water threads. (1) Due to climate change both rain showers and droughts will be more intensive, (2) groundwater levels will rise, in combination with subsidence of the polder areas, (3) river discharges will increase and (4) the sea level will rise more than a half metre in the next century (and possibly several metres). In 2005, different departments from the municipality, the water boards and the national water authority, made a plan for anticipating these threats. In a so-called Master Case they together worked on a design for Rotterdam Water City 2035. In this design for the whole city and its surroundings, answers were found to the threats and other problems in the city, like traffic congestion, the difficulties with the harbour economy in transition and the low variety in housing types. It was discovered that water is not only threatening; it also offers possibilities to improve the quality of life for people in Rotterdam. The design was presented at the 2nd Architecture Biennale in Rotterdam. Now the partners are working hard to translate the design into concrete projects. For this they apply the methodology of Interactive Implementation.