Rotterdam Zuid - A vision for Harbour and City by Francine Houben

Francine Houben, founding partner and creative director of Mecanoo, took the initiative to explore design research into forming a coherent single vision for Rotterdam Zuid. Mecanoo held discussions with stakeholder groups from Waalhaven and Maashaven among others, about their role in the development of the area which grew around the port but is now looking towards its next economy in conjunction with new education, culture and healthy living programme.

This is a story about the opportunities of Zuid, the unique qualities and potential of the dike to act as a connecting park landscape for local communities and ways to transition urban challenges into opportunities in their entirety.

Francine presents her first findings with a keynote lecture at the Stadmakerscongres, Theater Rotterdam, Friday, November 8, 10:30 - 11:30, and opens the conversation about meaningful ways to connect the city and harbour, new spatial and programmatic qualities, the next economy and questions how to work together on this.

AIR initiates and coordinates the program. The congress is supported by the Van der Leeuwkring, the Municipality of Rotterdam, Theater Rotterdam and the Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie.

More information Stadmakerscongres 2019. Tickets available here.
Image by Paul Martens.