Parkhaven

The current parking quay will be transformed into a green pedestrian quay, laying a foundation with a continuous double row of trees and green underplanting. Between the building blocks, six green intermediate spaces the ParkHaven Greens create a porous urban structure connecting the river to Het Park. Situated on the roof of the underground parking garage, these Greens are provided with a one-meter soil layer, ensuring a rich nutritional base that allows for both low planting and second-category trees with substantial canopies.

A major added value for local nature is the introduction of a Limes Divergens: a constructive transition from ground level to the tree canopies of the adjacent historical park. In a natural system, the greatest biodiversity is present at the edge of a forest. By gradually building up these layers from the ParkHaven quay to the tree crowns of Het Park, a strong impulse is given to the natural value. The planting around the buildings provides food supply, shelter, and potential nesting locations for urban ecology.

The masterplan provides a diverse approach to nature-inclusive building. The design integrates at least 1,500 square meters of vertical greenery, utilizing both climbing and adhering plants to soften the streetscape and simulate ecological development. Furthermore, the roofs of the new city blocks will be designed to be as green as possible, utilizing extensive retention roof systems that buffer rainwater. Built-in nesting boxes for bats, swifts, and sparrows are seamlessly integrated into the northern and eastern facades.

The area surrounding the monumental Euromast is transformed into a generous, 105-meter-wide landscaped reception space. To bridge the sunken trajectory of the Maastunnel, an elegant, 12-meter-wide pedestrian and cyclist bridge is introduced on a lowered level, effortlessly connecting the Euromast with Het Park. The green slopes of the tunnel act as a green guardrail, carefully embedding the historical infrastructure into a cohesive, park-like setting without physically or visually compromising the monument.