The course of shrinkage in Schouwen-Duiveland
F.C. den Ouden (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
LPJ van den Burg – Mentor (TU Delft - Urban Design)
E.A.J. Luiten – Mentor (TU Delft - Landscape Architecture)
A.J. Oxenaar – Coach (TU Delft - General Support)
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Abstract
Urban shrinkage, as predicted for Schouwen-Duiveland, leads to a less attractive living environment and is seen as a burden rather than a potential, often resulting in an aim for unrealistic growth. The recommended context-specific approach is spatially underdeveloped and takes too little account of the distant future. This project therefore generates a spatial approach for the acceptance of urban shrinkage in Schouwen-Duiveland, making use of the local qualities in order to show that shrinkage can also offer opportunities. The local qualities in the case of Schouwen-Duiveland are heritage to guarantee the quality of life and the increasing target groups, holidaymakers and the elderly, to maintain a certain degree of liveliness. Since shrinkage is a nuanced phenomenon and a zoom was needed to illustrate the interventions, three different types of interdependent settlements were examined. The shrinking and highly regarded Brouwershaven has the most complex and extensive approach. In the event that Brouwershaven shrinks extremely, the pre-war buildings can be used as an elderly or holiday home, the expansion neighborhoods can be demolished, freeing up space to restore the historic fortifications. In this way, shrinkage does not have to be a disastrous development and added value can even be created. Shrinkage thus certainly does not have to be imposed, but it is useful to take such a possible future into account now and to have flexible interventions ready.