2011 - 2016
Aldenhofpark
2011 - 2016
Aldenhofpark
Hoensbroek is one of the shrinking Dutch towns that suffers from a declining population due to demographic change. For these small towns this leads to vacant spaces, less social cohesion and loss of public facilities and in consequence a loss of public life. The demolition of vacant buildings made it possible to develop a new park: the Aldenhof Park.
Location
Hoensbroek
Client
Gemeente Heerlen
Year
2011 - 2016
Collaboration
Buitenom
Surface Area
6.2 ha
The intention was to transform the vacant space into a social and sustainable green neighborhood hub to revive the neighborhood and create greater social cohesion. The emphasis was placed on transforming housing structures into public spaces that give the neighborhood a positive boost. As a reflection to the “lifecycle-proof” houses which have been build up next to the open space, a park should be realized that includes cross generational facilities to attract a range of ages in the neighborhood residents to create a strong sense of community. In order to ensure this aspect, a new school and the community center, which are in the same building, were integrated into the park.
The park design is based on the particular geology of the province of South Limburg. Vertical fissures in the earth surface, causing some areas to move up and other areas down, are characteristic of this landscape. This phenomenon creates terraces or skegs. The existing height differences in the park are highlighted by artificial terraces that vary in height. The interpretation of the area’s geology on to the scale of the park the terraces create different spaces for various activities and at the same time prevent the polluted ground from interventions that could destabilize the polluted soil which were discovered during a soil analysis following the demolition of the housing structures.
The transformation from a residential area to a public park is a gradual process. During the planning process of the project locals were invited to participate in multiple workshops in order to ensure that ideas and wishes of the future users were integrated in the design.
The multiple design workshops and activities stimulated involvement in order to reconnect the neighborhood. All these activities contribute to social coherence and sustainability. To keep this positive social development and let the park serve as a social bridge within the future as well, the residents are partly responsible for the maintenance of the park. With these many forms of participation, the new park became a place for residents by residents.
The park is constructed with as many recycled materials as possible and therefore guarantees a high level of sustainability. The paving stones come from a nearby street. The school fences are made of balcony banisters from demolished apartment buildings. Rainwater can easily infiltrate and excess water ends up in a pond in the lowest part of the park creating an ecological water-buffer. Wildflowers are planted to create a natural lively-hood for the bee-colony.
