Dordrecht, as the oldest city in the Netherlands, derives her identity to a large extend to her meaning as a historical center of commerce situated at the water. The Visbrug is a bridge across the former Voorstraathaven in the historical city of Dordrecht. The bridge connects the Visstraat with the Groenmarkt. Originally the Visbrug was a narrow bridge combined with fish auction market with connecting stairs to the water. It was characterized by a great deal of dynamism and interaction between water and land.
At the start of the 20th century the width of the bridge was doubled to allow more space to the increased traffic flow. The stairs disappeared and also the contact with the water was minimized. The aim of MTD’s concept and design for the Visbrug is to reestablish and strengthen the contact with the water, to make the cultural and historical significance readable and to strengthen the identity of Dordrecht as a water city. This allows the significance of its strategic position to be strengthened as one of the vertices of the central shopping area and a connection between the central shopping area and the port area. For this purpose in the bridge deck an incision is proposed, revealing the original bridge in its historical dimensions. In the opening a stairway to the water and a boardwalk over the water of the Voorstraatshaven is introduced. Hereby the water is made visible and accessible once again and possibilities rise to embark small boats.
On top of the bridge deck the historical fencing and lighting elements are proposed and a pavement in Scandinavian granite boulders, referring to the historical situation. Terraces will be introduced on either sides of the bridge.
All in all with the new design within the historic city arises a highly dynamic place with optimal contact with the water….!