Rampartzone selected for Triannual Landscape Architecture Europe #5

LAE boek 1
LAE boek 2
LAE boek 3
LAE boek 4
LAE boek 5
LAE boek 6
November 16, 2017

Last month it was announced that the Rampart zone / Zuiderpark in 's-Hertogenbosch, a project by MTD landscape architects / urban designers in collaboration with Studio Leon Thier (design parking garage and bridges) and Van Roosmalen Van Gessel architecten, was selected for the triannual of landscape architecture Europe.
The book that appears every three years and presents a number of current projects can be seen as a barometer of the field. It presents a number of exemplary designs on public space, which are selected by an independent committee based on plans submitted after an open call.
In addition to plans, the book also includes a number of essays, which are related to the current themes, which appear in the book.
Using photo’s and design drawings, the book shows how contemporary landscape architecture can contribute to current social design issues. The book is published by the LAE Foundation in collaboration with the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) Europe and is the fifth book in a series of triannuals related to Landscape Architecture Europe; it will be presented in Geneva in the middle of next year.

The Main reason for the redevelopment plan Rampart Zone / Zuiderpark in 's-Hertogenbosch was the realization of an underground parking garage with approximately 1,000 new parking spaces. The Rampart Zone is also classified as Municipal Archaeological Monument and in this light the municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch had the ambition to preserve it as a cultural and historical structure and improve its experience.
In early 2011 MTD landscape architects / urban designers was commissioned to draw up a public space development plan and lead the direction of the three parallel design processes; the design of the parking garage St.Jan by Studio Leon Thier, the restoration of the city wall by van Roosmalen van Gessel architecten and the development plan for the public space by MTD. The project was completed in June 2015 and has received much appreciation.
First strategic use of the public space development plan was to create an attractive connecting route from the new parking garage to the old city center and vice versa. In addition, the plan puts particular emphasis on the experience of the encounter between the historical city centre and the open landscape of the Zuiderpark and the Bossche Broek.
The new car park is situated at the foot of the city wall with the former city canal repositioned on its roof. Coming up in the main stairwell of the parking garage a dramatic view over the water, on the city wall and the Judastoren is revealed. Next there is an attractive route via a footbridge over the city canal, through the city wall, in the direction of the city centre. In the other direction the route forms a new connection to the Zuiderpark; via a stone staircase one can reach the Limietlaan and the park.
In short, with the realization of the plans for the Rampart Zone / Zuiderpark, 's-Hertogenbosch has gained a new welcoming entrance to the historic city centre!