The City of Utrecht is investigating the possibilities for a modern urban district in the agricultural meadow landscape of polder Rijnenburg. This is where living, working, biodiversity, climate adaptation and clean energy should come together. Along with soil and water, archaeological research is one of the starting points of this development. In design research, we looked for smart ways to enable a heritage-friendly development process. To that end, municipal archaeologist Erik Graafstal organized two design workshops with AORTA and created a website full of archaeological and cultural-historical information about the area. There has also been archaeological research outside that provides new insights. A wealth of history lies hidden beneath the level turf.
In two workshops in the spring of 2024, experts and stakeholders, led by workshop master Maike van Stiphout, sketched on the past as inspiration for the future of polder Rijnenburg.
Basic Material
Existing analysis maps from the 2008 DS cultural history analysis were used, supplemented with an update based on new information, such as archaeological research; expert lectures; reference images and participant input.
Studio 1 – planes, lines, points
In the first workshop, we delved deeper into basic relics in the area: physical-geographic structures, river courses, subdivision patterns and settlements found by occupation period. These are all possible design leads. These elements can be categorized into planes, lines and points, where the relationships and meanings between them are especially important.
We then looked at how we could let these planes, lines and points from important periods influence the new plan development in their interrelationships. Are there examples elsewhere, and what might it look like in polder Rijnenburg?
The synthesis of the knowledge and ideas retrieved from the first workshop is reflected in a number of new base maps on which we further sketched in the second workshop.
Atelier 2 – climate and water, legibility of heritage and social fabric
In the second workshop, we explored and outlined how archaeological and heritage values, can guide water management, climate adaptation and biodiversity in area development.
How can we move from material to meaning? We collected examples and discovered opportunities for a living environment where archaeology and cultural history are recognizably incorporated into water management, climate adaptation and biodiversity.
Conclusion
Based on the outcomes of the two workshops, we defined four smart building blocks for creating development scenarios in which archaeology and cultural history are guiding. These are: water resources (water), soil conditions (soil), spatial supports (planes, lines, points) and social bonding.
On the Aorta website, we describe the characteristics of the four building blocks and how they can be used in the future development of the area.
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