Redesigning Rhythms
How urban rhythms can enhance the sense of place in Herten
M.M.A. Frencken (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
G.A. Verschuure-Stuip – Mentor (TU Delft - Landscape Architecture)
T.N. Broekmans – Mentor (TU Delft - Urban Design)
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Abstract
Herten, which is a neighborhood in Roermond, has lost part of its sense of place as a result of recent urban expansions. This thesis links the sense of place to the concept of time and concludes, through a literature review, that the sense of place and sense of time can be comprehended through static, dynamic, and collective elements. The thesis focuses on the dynamic elements, which are the urban rhythms, and explores how they can be used to create an urban design.
The main research question for this thesis is: How can urban rhythms be used in an urban design to enhance the sense of place in Herten. To answer this question, a historic analysis is conducted to understand how the sense of place in Herten has been changed in the past century. After this, fieldwork is used to observe what rhythms currently take place in the location. The results of these analyses are then used to create a small-scale urban design for a central location in Herten. This design consists of several areas inspired by a variety of rhythms, increasing the activities that can take place and allowing people from the neighborhood to meet. This strengthens the sense of place and sense of community in the neighborhood.
Additionally, the thesis presents a long-term strategy for the neighborhood which shares the same goal as the design: to enhance the sense of place in Herten. Because Herten shares many characteristics with the Dutch vinex neighborhoods, many of the interventions and conclusions from this thesis may also be applicable to other, similar neighborhoods.