A New Centrality

Abstract

Centrality denotes areas within a city that serve as pivotal hubs of social, economic, and political activity, transcending geography to symbolize authority, influence, and resource concentration. This concept is both cognitive, involving a comprehensive perception of reality, and social, encompassing the amalgamation of assets and activities. Centrality thus represents a fusion of diverse elements.
The new Baggerarea in Sliedrecht has been remodelled with small interventions to enhance its social and cultural significance. A key change is opening the inner dyke to pedestrians, reclaiming it as public property akin to the old dyke. New functions include an inner-making street in the Rotterdam Steelworks BV shipyard, featuring a Box in Box system accessible from both ends of the dyke. Additionally, the old Dredging Museum and its extension have been transformed into a hotel. The Wow-Keet will be cladded with wood and repurposed as a pavilion for relaxation and coffee.
Mirroring architectural heritage can generate meaningful urban interventions, enriching collective memory. This approach is embodied in the New NBM (Nationaal Bagger Museum), incorporating distinctive elements from Sliedrecht, such as glass-stained windows above entrances and steel columns in the Van Eijck hall. Inspired by monumental buildings like the old and reformed churches, the town hall, and old dredging contractor houses, as well as the shape of old dredging ships, these elements coalesce into the New NBM’s design, preserving and enhancing the area’s historical essence and to also enhance its social and cultural significance.