Retrofitting Rotterdam
Sparking incentive for retrofitting intensive-use rooftops in Rotterdam
T. Bollen (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
U.D. Hackauf – Mentor (TU Delft - Environmental Technology and Design)
Machiel Van Dorst – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Urban Studies)
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Abstract
Cities worldwide are grappling with spatial constraints, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas. Rotterdam, as an aspiring sustainable city, faces similar challenges in balancing sustainability goals with limited space. This predicament extends to the underutilized rooftop spaces across the city. While initiatives like the “multifunction rooftop” program and “Rotterdam Rooftop Days” have made inroads, the issue of unused rooftops persists. The primary obstacle often cited is cost, but cost is a relative factor, dependent on the unique values held by different stakeholders, buildings, and neighbourhoods. Several approaches to activate these rooftops have emerged but often lack consideration for the perspectives of rooftop stakeholders.
This report introduces a novel strategy aimed at bridging the gap between municipal sustainability goals and the interests of rooftop stakeholders. The strategy leverages pattern language principles, providing a flexible framework for tailoring rooftop solutions to diverse scenarios. It not only assists stakeholders in conceptualizing rooftop designs but also aligns them with their values. To illustrate the strategy’s effectiveness, it is applied to a neighbourhood case study, wherein various rooftop types are designed in alignment with the proposed principles.